L3 Animal Production Module 2 Unit 2 Weaning

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL) PRIMARY AGRICULTURE SUBJECT: ANIMAL PRODUCTION LEVEL: 3 LECTURER: MBHELE M.L MODULE 2 UNIT 2 WEANING Downloaded from hlayiso.com

INTRODUCTION ■ Weaning is a crucial time in the management of ewes and lambs. It is when lambs are no longer allowed to nurse their dams or they are no longer fed a milk diet. With the exception of artificially-reared lambs, weaning also includes separation from the dam. From the milk diet, lambs may consume forage, grain-based, or mixed diets. Weaning can be stressful for both ewes and lambs. Minimizing the stress at weaning and easing the transition are important goals. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

WEANING AGE ■ There is no "best" age to wean. Weaning age varies greatly in the sheep industry. According to surveys, it averages about 4 months. The "best" time to wean depends upon many factors including facilities, availability of pasture and other feed supplies, and target market(s). Lambs have been weaned successfully as early as 14 days (rare and not recommended), while some lambs are allowed to wean naturally, staying with their dams for six months or more. Some lambs are sent to market at the same time they are weaned. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

WEANING AGE ■ The farmers choice of weaning time therefore depends mainly on the degree of development and the availability of goods feed after weaning. ■ Early weaning has the following advantages : (a) saves feed and /or grazing (b) promotes better utilization of feedstuffs by young growing animals (c) is suitable for application during poor seasons (d) provides a longer recovery period for the ewe (e) prevents overgrazing where grazing is limited. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

WEANING AGE ■ Lambs can be weaned at 60 days or when they attain a mass of 20kg to 25kg under most veld and pasture conditions. Weaning must then be followed by good feeding during the post-weaning period. ■ Lambs can even be removed within 24hours of birth ,before the bond between the ewe and the lamb has become too strong. The success of such extremely early weaning is determined by the extent to which the ewe’s milk can be replaced by specific ewe milk substitutes. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

WEANING PROGRAMME ■ During the weaning period the farmer should try to relieve the stress on lambs that have been weaned early by: ■ Providing suitable supplementary feeding or good grazing. ■ Allowing a few culled ewes to graze together with the weaned lambs ■ Weaning the older lambs first and the remainder at about the same age. ■ Not penning the lambs overnight or applying any treatments that include fattening. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

WEANING PROGRAMME ■ Keeping them on the pastures they are used to. ■ Not changing the grazing or feeding programme at weaning as it is best to start feeding post-weaning rations a week before the lambs are weaned ■ Not overloading the grazing. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

CONCLUSION. ■ Early weaning eases the lactation stress of high-producing ewes, especially young ewes. It allows ewes to return to breeding condition earlier, which is essential for accelerated lambing programs. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY 1 ■ Suggest ways to improve the design of the self feeder and draw your improved version of the feeder. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY 2 1. How do you think, does creep-feeding, prepare the lamb for weaning? 2. Write a paragraph on the weaning programme of lambs, emphasizing the action of stress relief. Downloaded from hlayiso.com