Gina Johnson
Newborn lambs require a lot of care and attention to ensure they survive past birth. One aspect of their care is the amount of sleep they get. So, do newborn lambs sleep a lot?
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What You'll Learn
Newborn lamb survival
Newborn lambs are susceptible to hypothermia and starvation, which are the leading causes of pre-weaning death. To prevent these issues, it is important to ensure the ewe flock and its environment are well-managed. Here are some ways to ensure newborn lamb survival:
Preventing and Treating Hypothermia
Newborn lambs suffering from hypothermia will exhibit weakness, hunch over, and have cold ears and mouths. They will also have little to no suckling reflex. To prevent hypothermia, ensure the lambs are kept in a warm environment, especially if they are born during cold weather. If a lamb is showing signs of hypothermia, dry it off and warm it with a hairdryer or place it in a warming box with a constant heat source, such as an electric blanket or hot water bottles.
Providing Nutrition
Starvation in newborn lambs often occurs alongside hypothermia, as the lamb's body uses energy to digest food, which can further lower its body temperature. To prevent starvation, ensure the lamb receives colostrum or milk as soon as possible after birth. If the lamb is too weak to suckle, milk out colostrum from the mother and bottle-feed it to the lamb every few hours until it gains strength. You can also add a spoonful of molasses to the milk for an extra energy boost.
Managing the Ewe Flock and Environment
Some management-related causes of hypothermia and starvation in ewes include poor maternal nutrition during gestation, inadequate bedding, drafts, overcrowding, and inadequate pen construction. To prevent these issues, provide adequate nutrition to pregnant ewes, ensure bedding is dry and comfortable, avoid drafts, and construct pens that allow lambs to easily find their mothers.
Encouraging Maternal Bonding
Sometimes, a mother ewe may be reluctant to care for her lamb, wandering away from it, butting or kicking it, or refusing to allow it to nurse. To encourage maternal bonding, place the mother and lamb in a small individual pen, known as a "jug," for a few days. This will keep the mother from leaving the lamb and allow the lamb to nurse, stimulating the release of maternal hormones. Observe the lamb and ewe closely during this time to ensure nursing is taking place.
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Vaccinations for ewes
Newborn lambs sleep in short bursts, usually around 15 minutes at a time, and are known to nap for up to three hours a day. Now, let's focus on the topic of vaccinations for ewes.
It is important to vaccinate ewes to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases, which can bring about financial benefits and improve animal welfare. The two most effective vaccines used in sheep are Clostridial and Pasteurella vaccines, which are often used in combination. Breeding ewes require a primary course of two injections, four to six weeks apart, followed by an annual booster four to six weeks before lambing.
Clostridial diseases are a serious threat to unvaccinated sheep, causing rapid death within hours. The more common clostridial diseases include lamb dysentery, tetanus, pulpy kidney, black disease, blackleg, struck, and braxy. All cases are fatal, except for a small percentage of cases of malignant oedema (bighead) and blackleg that receive early veterinary treatment.
Pasteurella haemolytica (Mannheimia haemolytica) is of economic importance to the sheep industry, causing septicaemia in young lambs, pneumonia in older sheep, and mastitis in ewes. The Pasteurella vaccine regimen in ewes provides passive immunity to lambs for up to five weeks. Lambs can be further protected by two doses of the vaccine, administered from 10 days old, or with two doses given four weeks apart, with the second injection two weeks before weaning or sale.
Biosecurity measures on sheep farms are often inadequate, and farmers should not underestimate the importance of vaccination. While some farmers may be concerned about the cost of vaccination, the financial benefits of preventing disease outbreaks and improving flock health can significantly outweigh the costs.
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Nutrition for fetal development
Newborn lambs sleep in short bursts, around 2-3 hours at a time, and are usually more active at night. They spend about half of their time sleeping in total over 24 hours.
Nutrition for the ewe is critical to fetal programming and lamb development. The first trimester is when initial organ development begins, so it is important to ensure the ewe receives adequate nutrition to support this process. During the second trimester, organ development continues, and performance factors like muscle tissue and reproductive organs develop. In the third trimester, 75% of fetal growth occurs, and organ development is completed. This is when lambs take the most energy from the ewe, so it is crucial to increase the mother's nutrition to maintain her energy levels.
Maintaining the ewe's body condition and avoiding stress are key to supporting the healthy development of the fetus. Proper nutrition throughout pregnancy will also support the future reproductive performance of the lamb. Supplemental nutrition for the ewe can increase the chance of multiple births in a flock.
The ewe's diet should be well-balanced and high-quality, with sufficient energy and protein. Meeting energy requirements without over or underfeeding is a challenge, as energy needs increase by around 57-66% during late gestation due to fetal growth and mammary development. The final four weeks of gestation are critical for udder development and milk production, with 70% of udder development occurring during this time. Colostrum yield is also affected by the energy supplied during the final week of gestation, with restricted diets leading to lower colostrum production, which can negatively impact the lamb's immune system.
Supplementing ewes with minerals before the breeding season can help maintain their body condition. Ewes require extra calcium and other minerals during the third trimester, especially when carrying multiple lambs.
Poor maternal nutrition during gestation can have detrimental effects on lambs, including altered growth, muscle development, and metabolism, as well as increased susceptibility to renal and metabolic injury later in life.
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Newborn lamb care
Newborn lambs are a precious commodity, and their survival is critical to the profitability of a flock. Lamb mortality is high, with over 80% of deaths occurring in the first two weeks of life. Therefore, it is essential to have a solid lamb care management plan in place to ensure the health and survival of newborn lambs. Here are some key components of newborn lamb care:
Pre-Lambing Care
Even before the lambs are born, proper care of the pregnant ewes is essential. Ewes should receive extra care, shelter, and food during the latter stages of pregnancy. Vaccinations, such as C, D, and T, given at least four weeks before the expected due date, can protect newborn lambs by providing them with antibodies until their immune systems develop. Additionally, it is important not to let ewes become too fat, as this can lead to issues such as pregnancy toxemia and prolapse.
Colostrum Intake
Newborn lambs should consume 1-2 ounces per pound of body weight of colostrum within the first 12 hours of birth to obtain adequate nutrients and critical antibodies. The efficiency of antibody absorption decreases sharply after 12 hours, and by 24 hours, it is nearly zero. If the lamb has difficulty suckling, a lamb stomach tube can be used to deliver colostrum in 4-ounce doses, repeated at 4-hour intervals if necessary. Frozen colostrum from ewes with extra milk or commercially available colostrum supplements can be used if the mother's colostrum is inadequate.
Observation and Intervention
Observation is key to ensuring the lamb is suckling properly and that the ewe's udder is functioning correctly. If a lamb is weak, unthrifty, or unable to stand, it may be experiencing hypothermia, a common issue in cold environments. A classic sign of hypothermia is a cold mouth. Respiratory issues, starvation, and scours are also common problems that can lead to newborn lamb mortality. Early intervention and proper lambing tools can help address these issues and improve lamb survival rates.
Proper Care Returns
Paying close attention to the details of newborn lamb care can lead to a healthier flock, reduced labour input, and increased profitability. Proper care can result in heavier weaning weights and healthier sheep, demonstrating the importance of a well-planned lamb care management strategy.
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The lambing process
Lambing is the most critical activity in sheep farming, influencing the farm's productivity and profitability for the year. The lambing process is demanding and labour-intensive, requiring careful preparation and management. Here is a step-by-step guide to the lambing process:
Preparation:
Before lambing season, producers need to identify ewes close to lambing, as they will need extra attention. This is done by considering breeding dates and the physical appearance of the ewes. These ewes should be kept in a locked pen at night if space allows. It is crucial to increase the nutrition level of the ewes six weeks before lambing and provide extra care, shelter, and food after Christmas for strong lamb development.
Labour and Delivery:
The birthing process starts with the ewe experiencing contractions, causing her to get up and down frequently and paw the ground. She will then lie down and push with her nose in the air. At this stage, it is important to leave her alone and observe quietly. The water bag will appear first, and lambs should be delivered within about half an hour to an hour.
Post-Delivery Care:
Once the lambs are born, ensure their mouth and nose are clear of mucous and fluid, and check their breathing. Allow the ewe to claim and dry off her newborn lambs; you can assist if she allows it. Make sure to count the lambs and ensure there are no more left to deliver. If the ewe is having difficulty delivering, you may need to assist by restraining her, checking for full dilation, and pulling out the lamb's legs one by one, ensuring they all belong to the same lamb.
Maternal Bonding:
Maternal behaviour is crucial for the lamb's survival. The timely expression of maternal behaviour is influenced by hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin. Immediately after birth, the ewe will spend time licking the lamb and developing a recognition memory. Suckling is essential, as it provides the lamb with antibodies through colostrum and helps replenish brown fat reserves for heat generation.
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