Nichlas Mbingeneeko
The previous article focused on caring for lambs or goat kids.
This article continues to focus on caring for lambs or goat kids as they are growing. As the lambs and goat kids grow, the milk produced by the mothers often becomes insufficient, particularly in the case of multiple births. Moreover, the grazing may be deficient in minerals and trace minerals. In that instances, the farmer needs to provide for supplementation for the lambs and goat kids as well as the lactating ewes.
Supplementation, in the context of animal husbandry, relates to the provision of nutritional substances generally necessary for maintenance, development, growth and/or lactation, particularly when forage quality becomes sub-optimal. Supplements aim to augment a diet that lacks nutrient density. The farmer may provide a variety of lick and fodder to the lambs and goat kids as well as the lactating ewes during the various seasons of the year.
In summer, the farmer may provide Futterfos P6, Futterfos P14 + Salt, Feedmaster & Futterfos P12 + Salt, Veekos Production Lick, and Molatek Multi Block 28. During wet autumn, the farmer may provide Futterfos P14 + Salt, Veekos Production Lick, and Molatek Multi Block 28. In dry autumn, the farmer may provide Bush Improver Lick, Eco-Grassveld Lick, Dry Veld Concentrate + Salt, and Molatek Multi Block 28.
There are different types of pellets which serve different purposes and that should inform the farmer when buying pellets. The most common types of pellets that the farmer may give to lambs and goat kids as well as to the lactating ewes are Stud Feed Pellets, Breker 12 Pellets, and Ram-Lamb-Ewe Pellets.
Stud Feed pellets, contain high quality protein that ensures good muscle development and fertility, enhance growth of young stud animals, and ensure optimal growth and development of the testes. Breker 12 pellets are a complete feed formulated to fatten small stock, contain high quality natural protein so that it can be fed to highly producing livestock, and contain a vitamin/mineral premix to cater for daily needs.
Ram-Lamb-Ewe pellets are, inter alia, provided to ewes three weeks before mating so as to increase ovulation, stimulate colostrum and milk production, enhance fertility & libido of rams during mating, specifically formulated to cater for the high nutritional needs of young lambs, ideal for conditions were lambs are weaned early or kraaled during the day, reduce weaning shock, and stimulate growth.
It is imperative for the farmer to look out for pellets that contain ammonium chloride and sulphate so as to prevent the formation of stones in the bladder. Also, energy-protein mineral content in pellets prevents conformation problems. In a nutshell, the needs of the animals must dictate to the farmer the types of pellets to buy or to make.
Over and above the pellets, the farmer needs to give Rangeland Grower to the lambs and goat kids from day two after birth. Rangeland Grower stimulates the growth of lambs and goat kids. In addition, Rangeland Grower enhances milk production and colostrum quality in lactating ewes. As the lambs and goat kids grow, say at the age of one month, the farmer needs to introduce them to lucerne. Therefore, their diet will primarily consist of pellets, Rangeland Grower and lucerne.
The farmer needs to make provision for sufficient feeding troughs for lambs and goat kids as well as for the lactating ewes. Overcrowding of lambs and goat kids at the feeding troughs must be avoided at all costs as it may lead to injuries and fatalities. In the event where the lactating ewes are kept together with the lambs and goat kids in the kraal or in a small camp, the farmer is advised to make provision for creep feeding facilities for the lamb and goat kids.
Similarly, the farmer needs to make provision for sufficient water for lambs and goat kids as well as for the lactating ewes. As of day one after birth, the lambs and goat kids must have access to clean water 24/7. Water troughs need to be cleaned at least once a week so as to embrace a high standard of hygiene in all facets of our farming practices.
It goes without saying that proper care for the lamb or goat kid (i.e. from the day it was conceived, birthed, until on the day of weaning) stimulates and expedites the growth of such lambs and goat kids. The farmer may wean the lambs and goat kids at the age of 100 days or 120 days after birth. Provide good grazing, mealies, finisher lick and/or pellets, Rangeland Grower and lucerne to weaned lambs so as to contain weaning shock. Inoculate lambs and goat kids with pulpy kidney whenever changing pasture. The ewes dry up within 3 – 4 weeks after weaning. The next article will focus on common small stock diseases.
Nichlas Mbingeneeko is a renowned small stock farmer and a stud breeder of repute. His stud known as Skuilhoek Stud, in Aranos district, Hardap Region, consists of the Boer Goat, Damara Sheep and the Veldmaster Sheep. If you subscribe to genetic superiority, make Skuilhoek Stud your supplier of choice. His next production auction will be on 13 June 2024 @ 18h00, in Windhoek, Namibia, onsite & online. Nichlas Mbingeneeko wrote this article in his personal capacity.
