This presentation is the sixth in a series of webinars on the management of the ewe and doe from late gestation through weaning.

1. SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn) Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com 2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series Small Ruminant Program

2. 2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series Jan 13 I. Late Gestation Jan 20 II. Vaccinations Feb 3 III. Parturition Feb 10 IV. Neonatal Care Feb 17 V. Lactation Feb 24 VI. Weaning

3. Weaning Removal of milk diet from young mammals http://www.slideshare.net/schoenian/weaning

4. Weaning age in sheep and goats Varies from 14 days to more than six months (natural). Early < 90 days In a dairy sheep operation, it is common to wean lambs at 30 to 35 days of age. When lambs and kids are artificially reared, it is common to wean them between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Late > 90 days Natural

5. Weaning There is no best time to wean. There are pros and cons to different weaning ages and systems. Weaning must be appropriate for the circumstances and production system.

6. There are many factors to consider when deciding when to wean Age Season of birth Parasite problems Predator risks Market Available labor Facilities Forage availability… and quality

7. Lambs 2.5 to 3 times birth weight. 20 to 25 lbs. for artificially-reared. 40 to 50 lbs. if raised on the dam. 2 to 2.5 times birth weight. 20 to 25 lbs. for meat and dairy kids. Better to wean by size than age Kids Lamb or kid needs to be consuming enough dry feed to support maintenance and continued growth in the absence of milk in the diet.

9. When is early weaning common? (Semi) intensive production system Early (winter) lambing Shed lambing Prolific females Creep feeding Finish lambs and kids on grain or grain + forage Artificially-reared lambs and kids. Sheep dairy Show animals Pasture is a limiting factor

10. Weaning artificially-reared lambs and kids 6 to 8 weeks is optimal 2 to 3 x birth weight Minimum 20 to 25 lbs. Need to be consuming enough dry feed to support maintenance and continued growth. Why not wean later? Cost of milk (replacer) Labor Retard rumen development and consumption of dry feed. Wean abruptly Do not dilute milk or reduce feedings.

11. Creep feeding Providing supplemental nutrition to nursing lambs and kids. Need to set up creep area where lambs/kids can enter but ewes and does are excluded. Within 7 to 10 days of birth. In a high traffic area. Several openings. Good visibility Clean, dry, and well-bedded Some rules of thumb:2 in. (5 cm) feeder space per lamb/kid 2 ft2 (0.19 m2) of creep pen per lamb/kid

12. Creep feed Small particles Easily digested Fresh Palatable High protein Always available

14. CONS Late weaning> 90 days Lambs and kids must compete with ewes and does for pasture. Lambs and kids are more likely to become parasitized. Predator risk is higher. It may be necessary to castrate or separate males.

15. When is late weaning common? (Semi) extensive production system Late (spring) lambing Pasture lambing Less prolific ewes/does No creep feeding Finish lambs and kids on pasture. Abundant pasture

17. Get lambs and kids to market earlier.

18. Economics may vary by farm, species, and year.

20. Management before weaning CD-T Vaccinations Prevention of coccidiosis Reduce milk production in female

21. VACCINATED DAMS Vaccinate lambs and kids with CD-T toxoid at approximately 6 and 10 weeks of age. Vaccinate lambs and kids with CD-T toxoid at approximately 4 and 8 weeks of age. Administer tetanus antitoxin at the time of docking, castrating, or disbudding. CD-T vaccinationsClostridium perfringins type C & D and tetanus UNVACCINATED DAMS

22. Coccidiostats* Bovatec® 30 g/ton of feed Rumensin® 15 g/ton of feed Deccox® Add 2 lbs. of the 6% Deccox to 50 lbs. of loose trace-mineral salt. Put in drinking water for 21 days Mix 1.5 oz of 9.6% oral solution in 100 gallons of drinking water Drench lambs and kids for 21 days Mix 1.5 oz of 9.6% oral solution in 1 pint of water. Administer 1 oz per 100 lbs. Prevention of coccidiosis Amprolium (Corid) Source: http://old.cvm.msu.edu/extension/Rook/ROOKpdf/coccidia.PDF *Rumensin® is extremely toxic to equines. Do not allow equines to consume any coccidiostats.

23. Drying off females Plan ahead of time Remove grain and protein from ration 1 to 2 weeks prior to weaning. Remove good hay from ration several days prior to weaning. Feed low quality hay or straw for several days after weaning. Restrict water intake shortly before and after weaning(?) Watch ewes for engorged udders and signs of mastitis.

24. What do you do after weaning with the lambs and kids? Take them to market or keep them for further feeding or grazing There is no right answer! Depends on your market Depends on current and anticipated prices Depends on your availability of feed or forage. Depends upon your cost to put additional gain on lambs or kids.