Developmental Stages of Lambs Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University Development Stages of Lamb Digestive System Birth - 3 weeks pre-ruminant 3-8 weeks - psuedo ruminant 8 weeks & on - ruminant Birth: Solely dependent on milk Composition of ewes milk: 18.2% dry matter 5-7% fat 24.7% crude protein 26.4% lactose 7.5 mg/lb Vit E 11 IU /lb Vit E Milk Yield and Composition Impact Lamb Performance •Higher milk fat leads to increase energy intake •ISU creep trials: 16, 21 & 26% CP No variation in performance •Megalac increases milk fat Creep Diets Palatable -Corn -Soybean meal -Molasses Roughage is of minimal value Lambs get adequate roughage intake from ewe diets Creep Diets •Easily digestible •15-20% crude protein •Added fat Creep Ration Corn SBM 49% Molasses Limestone TM salt Ammonium sulfate CTC Selenium Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Zinc Crude protein TDN Calcium Phosphorous 1470 370 100 40 10 10 50 grams .2 grams 1,000,000 IU 100,000 IU 35,000 IU 136 grams 16.7% 83.4% .84% .38% Ration Physical Characterics Very young lambs 3-8 weeks 8-12 weeks >12 weeks Meal form Medium grind Coarse grind Whole grains Nutrient Requirements Factors : Sex Lean Growth Potential Weight Composition of Gain Rams Lambs Wethers Ewe Lambs Superior Intermediate Poorest Mature Size Lambs are market ready at 65% of average mature weight of ewes of parent breeds. 220 lb. sire + 180 lb. dam = 400 ÷ 2 = 200. 200 x .65% = 130. % Protein Concentration of Lamb Rations Lamb Wt. 40 55 70 85 100 115 .50 15.9 13.4 12.8 12.0 11.4 10.8 ADG .60 17.0 14.7 13.9 12.7 11.9 11.4 .70 18.6 15.8 14.7 13.4 12.6 11.9 .80 20.4 16.9 15.5 14.3 13.3 12.5 Protein Quantity and Quality Very young lambs solely dependent on feed protein for quality and quantity Ruminant -Protein quality depends on Feed origin Bacterial origin Ruminant - Protein Quantity •Intake •Microbial yield -impacted by energy intake -rumen ammonia level -liquid dilution rate Rumen Bacteria Cellulolytic - Fiber digesters Amylolytic - Starch digesters Proteolytic - Bacterial protein digesters Lamb Intake Controlled by: Fill Energy Low concentrate diets -- fill High concentrate diets -- energy Specific Nutrients Vit E. Se Ca P Salt 20,000 IU/ton .3 ppm .48 .24 .5-1.0% What Type of Ration 1. Targeted marketing date. 2. Relative costs of nutrients. 3. Compositional goal. 4. Facility size. 5. Feed processing equipment & storage. 6. Feeding system. Simplest System Whole corn: Pelleted Protein Supplement. Advantages: -Superior feed efficiency -Self fed -Low processing costs -Low cost diet -Acidosis risk Simplest System...continued Disadvantages: -Sorting -Slower gains -Quality of protein supplement -Cash expense for protein High Hay Rations Advantages: -Minimal cash outlay -Value added to hay crop -Improved composition Disadvantages: -Lower ADG -More facilities, bunks and pens -Hay waste Weaned Lamb Performance on Grass Factors - Forage Species Grass vs. legumes -Age of lamb -Health of lambs -Condition of lambs Lamb Gains on Straight Grass .20 - .25 pounds per day .35 - .50 w/pound supplementation Conversion 1:10 t0 1:5 Escape Protein for Pasture Lambs Sources: •Blood Meal •Fish Meal •Corn Gluten Meal Nursing Lamb Performance on Grass Milk Production is Key 1. Rotational grazing a. high quality and quantity of forage b. reduced competition between ewe & offspring 2. Creep Feeding a. improved growth b. allows coccidia control c. increases cost of production Internal Parasite Control Strategies 1. Clean pasture 2. Clean sheep 3. Sheep age & resistance Clean Pasturers 1. Not grazed by sheep for six months. Hay ground Cattle pasture 2. Rotate sheep & cattle middle of growing season. 3. Turn our clean sheep to minimize contamination. Clean Sheep Older sheep are more resistant. Young lambs treat frequently until 6 months of age. Treat before turn-out, retreat at 21days. Multiple water sources. Coddidia Control 1. 2. 3. 4. Multiple water sources Ionophores in mineral ? Clean out ewes prelambing Clean water source