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BVM1 - Animal Husbandry > 5. Small ruminant production and husbandry > Flashcards

5. Small ruminant production and husbandry Flashcards

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1
Q

What are some mountain breeds of sheep?

A

Rough fell
Welsh mountain
Scottish blackface
Swaledale

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2
Q

What are some hill breeds of sheep?

A 
Lleyn 
Clun forest 
Kerry hill 
North Country Cheviot 
South country cheviot 
Exmoor horn
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3
Q

How are lambs managed on a hill farm?

A

Look for little more than 1 lamb per ewe per year
Hill ewe bred pure for 3-4 lamb crops
Castrated hill lambs are sold for meat + entire male lambs are kept or sold for breeding
Ewe lambs are retained as flock replacements

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4
Q

What are draft ewes?

A

Hill ewes often sold after several crops of lambs
Will often have more productive seasons in less harsh conditions
Crossed with long-wool tups to produce halfbreed ewes

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5
Q

What are some breeds of longwool sheep?

A

Teeswater

Wensleydale

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6
Q

What is a halfbred?

A

Longwool x mountain/hill i.e.

  • masham
  • Welsh halfbred
  • Scottish halfbred
  • Scottish mule
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7
Q

What are benefits of using halfbreds?

A

Hardiness and good mothering ability from mother; frame size prolificacy and milk production from father
Heterosis
Aim for 2 lambs per ewe per year
Crossed with a terminal sire to produce fat lambs

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8
Q

What are some down breeds & continentals (the terminal sires)?

A 
Suffolk 
Charollais (France)
Oxford down 
Beltex (Belgium)
Hampshire down 
Texel (Netherlands)
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9
Q

What are some benefits to using the terminal sires?

A

Rapid growth rates
Good carcass conformation
Hardiness less important

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10
Q

What are advantages to using the stratified system?

A

Sheep matched to the land type
Productive utilisation of marginal land
Productive life of hill ewes extended
Benefits of heterosis in mules/halfbreds

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11
Q

What are disadvantages to using the stratified system?

A

Increased movement of sheep can equal higher disease spread
Open flocks - compromised biosecurity
Cross breeding, no control of maternal line, open flock - limited genetic improvement

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12
Q

What are some alternative modes of production?

A

Store lambs
Closed single breed flocks (Lleyn, Romney, Easycare)
Crossbreed flocks (Lleyn x Texel)
Crofting
Direct hill/upland x terminal sire production

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13
Q

What is fat lamb production?

A

Lambs sold for slaughter are around 45kg liveweight
Lambs sold through markets are sold liveweight
Lambs sold to slaughter may be sold either liveweight or deadweight

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14
Q

How are carcasses valued based on conformation?

A

Scored on a scale E,U,R,O,P from excellent to poor

Conformation is determined largely by genetics and nutrition

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15
Q

How are carcasses assessed based on fatness?

A

Scored 1,2,3L,3H,4L,4H,5, determined largely by nutrition with genetics and disease also playing a role

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16
Q

What are other factors affecting carcass value?

A 
Total or partial carcass condemnations 
- abcesses 
- arthritis 
- T.Ovis cysts 
Liver condemnations 
- F.hepatica, T.hydatigena, E.granulosus and abcesses 
Dirty animals
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17
Q

How do lamb prices fluctuate?

A

Prices vary with supply and demand (both export and domestic)
prices peak at easter as most sheep are lambing
Trough in summer when there are lots of spring born lambs
Weather impacts supply, health of the wider economy impacts demand

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18
Q

What are factors affecting profitability?

A

Variations in variable costs (grain prices, availability of straw, replacement costs)
Fuel price variation
Labour availability and cost
Disease
What separates the most profitable from the rest is there ability to achieve optimum productivity from there system

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19
Q

What are important timings in the sheep year?

A 
Gestation = 147 days 
Weaning = 12-16 weeks 
Scanning = 45-90 days of gestation 
Birth 1st mating = 18 months (lambing as a gimmer)
- 7 months for a ewe lamb 
Birth - slaughter 
- 4 months (fat lambs)
- 9 months (short - keep store lambs)
- 12 months (long - keep store lambs)
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20
Q

What is tupping?

A

Sheep are short day breeders (seasonally polyestrus)
Increased darkness, increased melatonin & GnRH release = return to cyclicity (females), increase in testes size & sperm production for males
Mountain/hill breeds - peak fertility october/november and december
Terminal sires - longer breeding season (Dorsets all year round)

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21
Q

How is tupping managed?

A 
Oestrus cycle approx. 17 days 
Tups usually left in for 2 cycles 
Raddle marks, keel paint
- identifies ewe as tupped 
- planning of lambing 
- identifies return to oestrus (non-pregnant)
Tup-Ewe ratio varies 
- 1:50 for tups 
- 1:20 for tup lambs/non-synchronised single sire groups 
- 1:10 for synchronised lambs
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22
Q

What are the reproductive targets that should be met?

A

BCS score at tupping (scale 1-5): 2.5-3 for hill, 3.5 for lowland
Conception rate 90%
Barren rate 2%
Scanning %: lowland 200% - 220%, Hill 120%

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23
Q

What are signs of illness in sheep?

Study These Flashcards
A 
Lameness 
Thin 
Reduced abdominal fill 
Diarrhoea 
Coughing 
Increased respiratory effort 
About the head: no 'smile', clenched cheek muscles, drooping eyelids/orbital tightening, hanging ears, inattentive, cud spillage/cheek packing 
Behaviour: straining, kicking at belly, flank watching, pruritus, recumbency, inappetence, quidding
24
Q

What are some common internal parasites?

Study These Flashcards
A

Gastro-intestinal nematodes
Liver Fluke
Cocidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis

25
What is the impact of gastro-intestinal nematods?
``` Death Disease Lost production Lambs most affected Ewes have an increased susceptibility around lambing time Rams more susceptible then ewes ```
26
How are gastro-intestinal nematodes controlled?
Anthelminitic resistance widespread in sheep worm populations Must use an integrated approach: -genetics: breeding more resistant/resilient sheep - avoidance: exposure os susceptible animals is limited - management: improving ewe nutrition at lambing time reduces susceptibility to worms, moving lambs of the farm before worm count peaks - effective treatment - resistance status must be known, ineffective products not used, quarantine treatments, reduce selection pressure for resistance
27
What is liver fluke?
``` Parasite formerly confined to the wetter parts of the UK - range increasing Resistance to one class of flukicides is now common ```
28
How is liver fluke controlled?
Effective use of flukicides Avoidance of highly contaminated areas Habital modification to reduce contamination
29
What are some examples of external parasites?
Sheep seab, fly strike, lice, ticks, keds, chorioptic mange, midges
30
What is sheep seab?
Psoroptes ovis - mite Extremely itchy, wool loss, weight loss, lost production, can be fatal Increased incidence since end of compulsory organophosphate dipping More common in higher sheep density
31
What is fly strike?
``` 3 fly species, Lucilia sericata (greenbottle) most common Lay eggs, especially in damp or soiled fleece Maggots hatch out + eat through skin Fatal unless treated quickly Prevention involves: - minimise fly breeding grounds - minimise fleece soiling - well-times shearing - application of preventative products ```
32
What are causes of lameness?
Most common = infectious + contagious Scald & foot-rot CODD
33
What are the causes of abortion?
Most common causes are infectious, most common being contagious (EAE) 2nd most common from contaminated feed (Toxoplasmosis) - salmonella - campylobacter - listeria Vaccines are available Many are zoonotic
34
What are clostridial diseases?
In soil and gut in small numbers e.g. pulpy kidney, tetanus, black disease, gas gangrene Death common and the prognosis is poor
35
What is the vaccination schedule for clostridial diseases?
All require two injections in primary course with an annual booster - 4-6 weeks prior to lambing with passive immunity to the lamb lasting 8-12 weeks
36
What is pasteurella disease?
Bacterial disease Stress can cause outbreaks Some stand alone vaccines, initial course of two injections
37
What are Johne's disease and CLA?
Johne's disease = infectious wasting condition Faeco-oral transmission Test & cull, vaccination CLA = Caseous Lymphadenitis, abscessation of lymph nodes, wasting Transmission is via rupture of abscess, inhalation, contamination of skin wounds Test & cull prior to sale
38
What are Maedi-Visna and OPA?
Maedi-Visna = Wasting, respiratory signs (maedi), udder induration, progressive ascending paralysis (visna) - respiratory transmission Test & cull, snatch lambing OPA = Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma - respiratory transmission - scan lungs & cull, snatch lambing, avoid housing
39
What is scrapie?
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy Wasting and neurological signs Susceptibility dependant on genotype NOTIFIABLE
40
What is the normal course of clostridial and pasteurella vaccines?
Many clostridial disease vaccines of varying valency Two combined pasteurella and clostridial vaccines 1 pasturella only vaccines All, two injections 4-6 weeks apart, annual boosters
41
What are goats used for in the UK
Most goats are kept as pets | Hair + meat are minor, most commercial goat enterprises are dairy
42
What are the legislation differences and similarities in the UK goat and sheep industries?
All livestock are legally food producing animals whether pets or not Goat disbudding is an act of veterinary surgery, anaesthesia must be used Legal maximum age for castration performed by anyone other than a veterinary surgeon 2 months (3 months in lambs)
43
What is general housing , nutrition and management of goats?
Goats don't like getting wet, shelter required Most goats are housed year round on straw, regular foot trimming required Many pet goats are overfed concentrates, can lead to laminitis, obesity and obstructive urolithiasis (males), problem in dairy herds too Artificial rearing of kids is common TNZ is smaller
44
How are parasites controlled in goats?
Rarely get fly strike, do not get sheep scab Evolutionary browsers not grazers, have not evolved to cope with gastro-intestinal parasites No longer a licensed anthelmintic produced on the UK market for goats - reason why most are housed all year round
45
What are vaccines available for goats?
Only three licensed vaccines for goats: Johne's disease vaccine (gudair), S.aureus mastitis vaccine (Vimco) and Q fever vaccine (Coxevac) Goats respond poorly to multi - valent clostridial vaccines Antibody response shorter lived + lower than in sheep Recommended approach is Lambivac (4 in 1), inital course as in sheep, but with boosters 3 times a year
46
What are the basics of sheep nutrition?
Ruminants Fed from products of fermentation in the rumen Allows digestion of cellulose Grass is a viable feed stuff for sheep
47
How to tell if there is insufficient grass available?
If you can find golf balls easily in the grass
48
How should nutrition prior to tupping be managed?
Optimal reproductive performance occurs when ewes at target BCS (3-3.5) Ewes that drop below NCS of 2 at any point in the reproductive cycle will have a decreased reproductive performance Flushing = ewes on increased plane of nutrition for 3 weeks prior to tupping, increased ovulation rate isn't always desirable Rams should be in a BCS of 3.5-4 at the start of tupping Avoid red clover, phytoestrogens Beware of brassicas - gaitrogens
49
How should nutrition after tupping be managed?
During early + mid-pregnancy requirements not much different to maintenance Ewe lambs - met requirements but don't over feed M +/- 10% is a good rule of thumb
50
How should nutrition during late pregnancy?
70% of lamb growth is in the last 6 weeks of gestation Ewe undernutrition = pregnancy toxaemia, low birth weight and low brown fat levels Can allow a ewe at BCS ≤2.5 lose 0.5 BCS over last month of lambing and first bit of lactation = 2MJ ME per day
51
What is neonatal mortality?
Major cause of lost productivity in uk flocks 5% achievable 10-25% may occur
52
What are causes of neonatal mortality?
``` Dystocia Hyperthermia Watery mouth disease Septicaemic Colibacillosis Omphalophlebitis Clostridial disease ```
53
How is neonatal mortality managed?
Dystocia = husbandry, shepherd's experience, timely + correct intervention Septicaemic colibacillosis = good lambing shed hygiene, good quality + plenty of colostrum, navel dipping, correct veterinary advice Omphalophlebitis = good lambing shed hygiene, colostrum and navel dipping Clostridial disease = vaccination of ewes, colostrum intake
54
What are causes of peri-parturient ewe mortality?
``` Dystocia Vaginal + uterine prolapse Metritis Mastitis Clostridial disease Hypomagnesia ```
55
How are the causes of per-parturient mortality managed?
Uterine prolapse - Vet attention ASAP Metritis - good hygiene when assisting lambing, prompt antibiotic/anti-inflammatory treatment, good nursing care Mastitis - good shed hygiene, good nutrition, for milk production, prompt antibiotic/anti-inflammatory treatment
56
How should lambs be identified?
All holdings with goats and sheep in the UK must have a CPH (county parish holding) number Below 12 months of age single "flock ear" tag is permissible Above 12 months two identifiers, one of which must be an ear tag (individual identifiers) All sheep must have an EID
57
When does shearing take place?
Most commonly May, June, July Some before lambing, some in winter Necessary to avoid heat stress, fly strike, etc.

BVM1 - Animal Husbandry (12 decks)

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