nutrition

Question 1

sheep vs goat nutrition

Answer 1

sheep: grazers, soft palate, wool, less rumen space during pregnancy (need smaller meals)

goats: browsers, need to be warm and eat to generate heat

Question 2

feed quantity/quality

Answer 2

quantity: 3% BW, available all the time, concentrate 2X/d

quality: softer forage, protein 12-18% (grass is 8-10), use alfalfa for higher
supplement protein w alternative diet

Question 3

feed and water testing

Answer 3

test forages and water, sample bale w a probe

Question 4

minerals

Answer 4

need supplemental minerals!!!
mix w grain for consistent intake, loose mineral is too messy
minerals tubs good for summer

gold standard- test flock w liver samples after 30d

Question 5

seasonal requirements

Answer 5

test plants and soils for minerals (more during drought)
vit A and D- supplement when not grazing

Question 6

calcium and phosphorus

Answer 6

2:1 Ca:P ratio
prevent calculi, pregnancy toxemia

ca is high in forages
P is grain, mineral supplements

Question 7

selenium/vit E

Answer 7

Se: requirements depend on location- add to feed
toxicity and deficiency have the same signs

vit E: needs higher in pregnancy/breeding

injectables: vit E 2.5mg/kg, tx 5
Se 0.25-0.5 mg/kg
dystosel (3mg/ml Se)- newborns 0.25ml=0.75mg
**careful using calf dose w sheep (Se toxicity)

Question 8

available products for Vit E/Se for sheep

Answer 8

label claim for sheep, really low levels of vit E (good for newborns not adults)

oral Se- multivitamin

Question 9

copper and iodine

Answer 9

sheep are most susceptible to toxicity, but still need copper
poor doing lambs-> deficiency (consider supplementation)

pig manure- high copper, high Mb, high Zn

iodine-> deficiency results in congenital goiter

Question 10

ergot toxicity

Answer 10

> 100-200 ppb total alkaloids
C/S- gangrene, reduced milk, repro losses, excitation

no margin of safety for breeding stock