Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant and lactatin

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This presentation was initially prepared for a
Lambing and Kidding School held December 8, 2007
in Westminster, MD.
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Feeding the pregnant and lactating female

• Susan SchoenianSheep Goat SpecialistUniversity
  of Maryland Cooperative ExtensionWestern
  Maryland Research Education Center

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Todays presentation

• Nutrients
• Sources of nutrients
• Nutrient requirements
• Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant
  and lactating does
• Nutritional disorders related to lambing and
  kidding

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Nutrients for sheep and goats

• Energy
• Protein
• Minerals
• Vitamins
• Water
• Roughage (fiber)

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Energy

• Needed in the most amount.
• Usually the most limiting nutrient.
• Excess is stored as fat.
• Expressed as . . .
• TDN total digestible nutrients ()
• ME metabolizable energy (mcal)
• NE for maintenance, growth, lactation, and fiber
  production (mcal)

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Sources of Energy

• High
• Cereal grains (76-88)Corn, barley, wheat,
  sorghum, rye, oats
• By-product feeds (76-90)Soy hulls, distilers
  grains, corn gluten, wheat middlings
• Moderate
• Corn silage (65-72)
• Haylage (50-60
• Good quality pasture (60-70)
• Good quality hay (50-60)
• Low
• Low quality hay (40-50)
• Low quality pasture (lt 50)
• Straw (40-48)
• By-products (lt40)cottonseed hulls, peanut
  hulls, oat hulls

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Protein

• Composed of amino acids.
• Bypass or escape protein increases protein
  efficiency.
• Quantity more important than quality.
• Usually most expensive ingredient.
• Excess protein is not stored in the body. It will
  be used inefficiently as energy.
• Excess N is an environmental concern.

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Sources of protein

• Highest
• Protein meals (46-52) Plant - soybean meal,
  cottonseed meal, peanut meal
• Fish meal (66)
• Urea (NPN) (288)
• Moderate
• Alfalfa and other legume hays (13-21)
• Low
• Grass hay (10-12)
• Cereal grains (8-14)
• Lowest
• Poor quality hay (lt10)
• Straw (3-5)

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Minerals

• Required in small quantities (grams)
• Macro salt, Ca, P, Mg, K, and S
• Micro (trace) Se, I, Cu, Fe, Mo, Cr, F, Zn, and
  Mn
• Balance of minerals is important.
• Example CaP
• Many interactions.
• Example Cu-Mo-S
• Sources
• Hay, pasture, grain
• Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs

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Sources of calcium

• High
• Limestone (38)
• Bonemeal (24)
• Dicalcium phosphate (25)
• Moderate
• Alfalfa and other legume hays and pasture
  (1.2-1.7)
• Soybean hulls (0.55)
• Grass hay and pasture (0.3-0.6)
• Protein meals (0.2-0.4)
• Poor
• Cereal grains (.02-.07)

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Vitamins

• Ruminants have a dietary requirement for Vitamin
  A, D, and E.
• Vitamin K and B-vitamins are manufactured by the
  rumen.
• No dietary requirement for Vitamin C or D.
• Sources of vitamins
• Natural sources
• Vitamin packs
• Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs

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Manufactured feeds

• Blends of ingredients that are formulated to
  supply all (complete) or defined portions
  (supplement) of the requirements of targeted
  animal).
• Complete feeds
• Protein supplements or balancers
• Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs
• Use properly!

More expensive, but convenient and properly
balanced.
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Alternative feeds
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Water

• The most essential nutrient
• Intake (need) varies by . . .
• Moisture in feed
• Lactation (2-3 gal) gt Gestation gt Maintenance
  (1/2 to 1 gal)
• Late Gestation gt Mid and early gestation
• Triplets, twins gt single
• Sheep gt goats
• Milk type sheep and goats gt meat type
• Summer gt winter

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Roughage

• Should be primary source of feed intake.
• Maintains healthy rumen function.
• Less problems when sheep and goats are
  forage-fed.
• Minimum amount of roughage is ½ lb. per 100 lbs.
  of body weight.

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Nutrient requirements depend on

• Size (weight)
• Age
• Stage and level of production
• Climate and environment
• Body condition

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Size (weight)Nutrient requirements for different
mature size ewes in late gestation, carrying
twin lambs.
NRC, 1985
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Size (weight)Nutrient requirements for different
mature size females in late gestation, carrying
twin lambs.
NRC, 1985
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AgeNutrient requirements for ewe lambs and
mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150
lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a more nutrient dense diet.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty
competing for feeder space.
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AgeNutrient requirements for ewe lambs and
mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150
lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a higher percent of protein in
their diets.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty
competing for feeder space.
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AgeNutrient requirements for ewe lambs and
mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150
lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a higher percent of calcium in
their diets.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty
competing for feeder space.
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Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a
154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs.
NRC, 1985
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Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a
154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs,
NRC, 1985
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Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a
154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs
NRC, 1985
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Level of ProductionNutrient requirements of a
176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007
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Level of ProductionNutrient requirements of
176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007
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Level of ProductionNutrient requirements of
176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007
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Climate and environmentBelow critical
temperature, livestock must expend energy to keep
warm.

• Wind and humidity, along with low temperatures
  increase body heat losses and increase energy
  requirements of livestock.
• A sheeps critical temperature depends upon the
  length of its fleece and its feeding program.
• 50ºF for freshly shorn sheep.
• 28ºF for sheep with 2.5 in. fleece

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Climate and environmentBelow critical
temperature, livestock must expend energy to keep
warm.

• Critical temperature for beef cattle with a
  winter coat is 32ºF (61ºF if their coat is wet).
• There is a 1 increase in energy requirements for
  each 1ºF below the critical temperature.
• High quality hay is the preferred feed source
  because more body heat is produced when it is
  digested (vs. grain).

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Effect of a lower critical temperature on the
energy requirements of a goat needing 2.8 lbs. of
TDN.
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Exercise/ActivityNutrient requirements increase
with exercise and activity.

• Nutrient requirements can be affected by travel
  distance and land topography.
• Exercise may be a function of forage
  availability.
• NRC requirements take into account normal
  exercise of grazing sheep.
• NRC requirements are for goats reared in
  confinement.

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Body condition scoring (BCS)

• A valuable management tool that can be used to
  evaluate the feeding program and the need for
  changes.
• Body condition is a better indicator of condition
  than weight.
• The most important times to body condition score
  are breeding, late gestation, and weaning.
• Body condition scoring estimates fat and muscle
  on a scale of 1 to 5. Half scores are commonly
  used. The cattle system (1-9) can also be used.
• 1 BCS equals 13 of the live weight of a female
  in moderate condition (3-3.5).
• Exact score is not important as the relative
  scores and the differences between scores.

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Body condition scoring

• 1 emaciated
• 2 thin
• 3 average
• 4 fat
• 5 obese

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Life cycle feeding of ewes and does

• Maintenance (dry period)
• Breeding
• Early pregnancy
• Mid-pregnancy
• Late pregnancy
• Early lactation
• Late lactation
• Weaning

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Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant
and lactating females

• Goal feed proper amount and balance of
  nutrients.
• Quantity (lbs) more important that quality ().
• Make forage the main part of the diet.

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Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant
and lactating females

• Balance ration (proper way)
• By hand (math)
• Simultaneous equations (Algebra)
• Pearson Square
• Use computer programhttp//www.sheepandgoat.com/s
  oftware.htmlration
• Use spreadsheethttp//www.sheepandgoat.com/spread
  sheets/RationEvaluator2004.xls
• Web-based ration balancinghttp//www.luresext.edu
  /goats/research/nutr_calc.htm
• Feed by rule of thumb

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Balance a ration

• Know nutrient requirements of animals (NRC
  tables)
• Know nutrient composition of feeds (test feed or
  use book values)
• Determine how much hay you need to feed to meet
  the energy requirements.
• Make sure the animal can consume the amount of
  hay that you calculate she needs by looking up
  dry matter intake in NRC table.
• Calculate how much protein, Ca, and P the hay is
  providing.
• Add supplement(s) to hay or pasture ration to
  provide the protein, Ca, and P that the hay
  lacks. .

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Start with foragePasture, weeds, browse, hay,
silage

• Feed supplements to provide nutrients that the
  forage is lacking.
• Feed supplement(s) to provide a more
  nutrient-dense diet.
• Feed supplement(s) to improve health and
  performance.
• Feed supplements to save money.

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Feeding hay

• Hay varies tremendously in nutritive quality.
• Have your forage tested to determine its
  nutritive quality.
• Round bales are less expensive to purchase, but
  result in more wastage and nutrient loss.
• Theres less waste and more flexibility when
  feeding square bales, but they are more
  expensive.
• When hay is offered free choice, livestock often
  overeat.

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Feeding according to rules of thumb

• Forage
• Feed 3 to 4 lbs. of grass hay (or pasture) during
  early and mid gestation.
• Feed 4 to 5 lbs. of average quality hay (or
  pasture) during late gestation.
• During late gestation, you may need to supplement
  Ca if feeding a grass hay (dont depend on free
  choice minerals).
• Save alfalfa hay for lactation when the females
  nutritional needs are the highest.
• Feed poor quality hay prior to and after weaning.

Bigger amounts for big females and smaller
amounts for smaller females.
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Feeding according to rules of thumb

• Concentrate/grain
• No grain during early and mid pregnancy.
• Feed ½ to 1 lb. of grain per day to females
  during late gestation.
• Start with a ¼ lb. of grain and gradually
  increase amount of grain in diet.
• May need to feed more if you expect a birthing
  percentage greater than 200.
• Grain can substitute for some of the hay in the
  ration, but be CAREFUL.

Bigger amounts for big females and smaller
amounts for smaller females.
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Feeding according to rules of thumb

• After parturition
• Plenty of water. Warm water in winter.
• Forage for the first few days.
• Take about a week to get the ewe/doe on full feed.

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Feeding according to rules of thumb

• Lactation
• Feed 4 to 5 lbs. of your best quality hay 1 lb.
  of grain for each offspring the female is
  nursing.
• Separate females into production groups
  singles, twins, and triplets.
• If feeding alfalfa hay or another legume, the
  grain can be whole corn or barley.
• If feeding grass hay, you will need to supplement
  protein and calcium in the grain ration.

Bigger amounts for big females and smaller
amounts for smaller females.
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Additional tips for feeding

• Weigh feed.
• Dont rely on free choice minerals.
• Include Bovatec, Rumensin or Deccox in ration
  to prevent coccidiosis. They are toxic to
  equines
• Feed whole grains.
• Split feedings if youre feeding a lot of grain.
• Separate animals into groups according to their
  nutritional needs.
• Feed and manage ewe lambs/doelings separate from
  mature females.
• Aim for moderate body condition scores.

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Health risks related to lambing and kidding

• Influenced by nutrition and feeding
• Pregnancy toxemia
• Milk fever
• Vaginal prolapse
• Abortion
• White muscle disease

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Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis,
twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping
ewe sickness

• Symptoms1-3 weeks before parturition
• Lethargy
• Sluggishness
• Lack behind
• Failure to eat
• Recumbency
• Stiff gait
• Neurological dysfunction
• Coma ? death
• Differential diagnosis milk fever

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Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis,
twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping
ewe sickness

• Risk factors
• Inadequate nutritioninsufficient energy density
• Multiple fetuseshigh energy demand by fetuses
• Obesityfat mobilization ? toxic ketone bodies
• Poor body condition
• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• EnvironmentSevere weather conditions

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Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis,
twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping
ewe sickness

• Treatment
• Oral glucosePropylene glycol
• IV glucose
• Caesarian section
• Prevention
• Adequate energy in diet
• Adequate feeder space
• Proper body condition
• Exercise
• Minimize stress

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Milk feverlow blood calcium, hypocalcemia,
parturient paresis

• Symptomslate pregnancy ? early lactation
• Sudden onset
• Recumbency
• Neck turned back
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle tremors
• Bloat
• Coma ? death
• Differential diagnosis pregnancy toxemia

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Milk feverlow blood calcium, hypocalcemia,
parturient paresis

• Risk factors
• Fetal demands for calcium
• Demands for colostrum production.
• Calcium deficiency
• Overfeeding calcium
• Stress, especially nutritional

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Milk feverlow blood calcium, hypocalcemia,
parturient paresis

• Treatment
• Oral calciumCalcium borogluconate
• IV calcium
• Dextrose
• Prevention
• Proper amount of calcium in diet
• Minimize stress
• Save alfalfa for lactation.

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Vaginal prolapseprotrusion of vagina through
vulva

• Causes
• Increased abdominal pressure
• Calcium status ????
• Short tail docks ???
• Internal fat
• Gravity
• Genetics
• Treatment
• Replace, purse string (suture)
• Bearing retainer, spoon
• Prolapse harness
• Cull

• Usually occurs 1-3 weeks prior to lambing.
• Often corrects itself after lambing.

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Abortion

• Risk factors
• Ingestion of bacteria.
• Spoiled feed.
• Consumption of contaminated feed contaminated
  with cat feces.
• Treatment
• Antibiotics
• Isolate affected females
• Aborting females develop immunity

• Termination of pregnancy
• Stillborns
• Weak lambs and kids that diet shortly after
  birth.
• Failure to expel dead fetuses can result in death
  to the female.

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White muscle diseasenutritional muscular
dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, muscular
hypertrophy

• Deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E
• New born lambs, kids
• Sudden exercise may trigger condition
• Symptoms
• Skeletal treat with vit E/Se shot
• Mild stiffness to obvious pain upon walking to
  inability to stand
• Stiff gait
• Hunched-up appearance
• Cardiac
• Pneumonia
• Difficulty breathing
• Frothy nasal discharge
• Fever
• Irregular and elevated heart and respiratory
  rates.

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White muscle diseasenutritional muscular
dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, muscular
hypertrophy

• Risk factors
• Selenium deficient soils
• Poor quality forages
• Lack of pasture access
• Low Se feeds
• Prevention
• Provide adequate selenium and vitamin E in diet
• Se/Vit E injections be careful

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Proper nutrition is the key to a successful
lambing and kidding season.