CARE OF LAMB / KID UNTIL WEANING

 

CARE OF LAMB / KID UNTIL WEANING

1.      Introduction

Profitability of small ruminant enterprises for meat production depends upon the no.of the young produced that are either for meat or joint the flock as replacement breeding stock. The goal of productivity improvement can be achieved  by increasing the no.of lambs/ kids successfully reared per ewe/ doe in a given season.

2.      Management and care just after lambing/ kidding

The first 24 hrs of life of new-born is most critical for survival. During this period, energy demands are high and physiology adjustment to the new environment is great. The dam will clean and dry its offspring. Apart from drying, this rubbing stimulates breathing. In most instances, new-born lambs/ kids will stand and suckle within the first 20 minutes. Lambs and kids weak at birth because of low birth  weight, prolonged delivery may need assistance to suckle.

If lambing or kidding takes place in confinement the umbilical cord should be shortened if it is long then dipped in 7% tincture of iodine. The untreated navel is an excellent route for infectious agents to enter the lambs/kids causing internal abscission. Check any abnormality in the udder of ewes/does. The first milk could be stripped from each teats to remove any plug that might interfere with sucking.

After lambing following steps should be done.

·         Obtain the birth weight. Identified each lambs with metal ear tag.

·         Record the sex,tag no.,dam and birth weight and remarks about its birth.

·         The ewe and lambs can remain in the lambing pen for 1 to 2 days depending upon the condition of the lamb and ewe.

·         Ewes that lose their lambs can be forced to accept their own lambs or orphans by them in a stanchion until they do so.

Beside this some ewes and lambs require additional management. These includes ewe with retained placentas, infections caused by injury, diarrhoea and failure to milk dystocia. Veterans should be consulted if necessary.

3.      Feeding  of new-born

Until the lambs remain healthy and are given abundance nourishment they cannot grows well. Important feed for lambs is milk. Its duration is highly variable lasting from 3 weeks to 6 months in extensive systems. The first milk a lambs/kids should receive is the colostrum; which probably makes it the most complete nourishment.

After 2 weeks, lambs should be trained to eat roughs by placing some hay in creep which stimulate the rumen and lead to development of the microbial population.

Ideal creeps contains.

  Maize(40%),

 ground nut cake(30%),

 wheat bran(10%),

 deoiled rice bran(13%),

 molasses(5%),

 mineral mixture(2%),

salt(1%) fortified with vitamin A,B2 and D3 and antibiotics feed.

4.      Vaccination

Lambs/kids should be vaccinated against different types of diseases such as FMD, rinder pest, black quarter before weaning.

5.      Docking

The removal of tail in the lambs/kids is called as docking. It is dome before they are 2 weeks of age. Big and strong lambs can be docking within 24 hrs.

6.      Castration

The removal of the testicles from male lamb/kids is called castration. It is usually done when the male lambs/kids are between 2 to 4 weeks.

7.      Weaning

The weaning period, defined by passage from feeding of milk to solids, is critical phase characterized by a slowing or stoppage or growth or even wright loss i.e weaning shock. Other factor contributing shocks include sex (male are more susceptible to weaning shock than female)

·         Age and weight as criteria

Weaning can occur  as early as 4 weeks provided with that quality of solid diet is high. However, it should be noted that earlier the weaning the more marked the weaning shock . Furthermore, early weaning can cause a delay in compensatory growth, sometimes until 4 or 5 months of age. Compensatory  growth refers to accelerated growth following a period of limited feed intake resulting in full or partial recovery of weight that was not found during weaning shock period.

Age alone is not t a sufficient criterion for weaning. In fact, in many instance weight is better indicator than age. As rule of thumb, weaning can take place when birth weight is tripled.

·         Stepwise weaning or abrupt?

The general opinion on weaning method is that if early weaning is desired, the process of weaning should gradual. This can be achieved by restricting the frequency of suckling or decreasing the amount of milk offered. On other hand, if late weaning is practised, abrupt weaning is also appropriate.

8.      Environmental condition

Lambs and kids at birth are frail and thermoregulatory is sometimes delicate. Therefore, housing should be good. Drafts must be avoided and a minimum temp. Of 14°c maintained at first day after birth. Clean and dry bedding is mandatory in concrete housing. the box may be constructed by bamboo.

It is important to noted that the behaviour of lambs and kids.  like to jump and climb on things. They must be taken into account when choosing the housing installations.

9.      Common diseases to watch during lambs/kids

·         Coccidiosis

·         Enterotoxaemia

·         Pneumonia

·         Haemonchosis

Summary:

 Lambs and kids mortality is one of the most serious challanges in sheep and goat production. Mortalities can be exceed 50% under traditional system of  management.