DO NOT KEEP ANIMALS ON KRAAL UNTIL 08H00; ALLOW MAX FEEDING TIME.
ALWAYS read the instructions for vaccines, remedies and feeds/licks.
Basic Guidelines to Improve Animal Production
January
The remaining lambs must be marketed as soon as possible. Vaccinate rams before breeding season. The testicles of all rams must be palpated to diagnose Epididimites(Ramsiekte). Remove and slaughter rams being diagnosed to prevent the spreading of Epididimites.
February
Dose all sheep, goats and rams against Nose worm. Switch to Feedmaster Futterfos P 6 or Feedmaster Phosphate Block on green pastures. Vaccinate only the late pregnant ewes 6 weeks before lambing with a vaccine which includes Pulpy Kidney, Pasteurellosis, Tetanus, Black quarter and Malignant Oedema. Vaccinate goat ewes with Enzootic abortion 4 – 6 weeks before the mating season starts. This vaccine can only be administered to non-pregnant ewes/does!
March
Spot treatment of animals against ticks. Some of the ewes will start lambing. Repair kraals/pens and water troughs and remove dung.
April
Ewes may still be lambing – provide shade and clean water to lambs kept in pens. Provide lambs older than 7 days with Creep Feed Pellets or RamLambEwe pellets. Treat animals against ticks.
May
Dose only lambs older than 6 weeks against Tape worm and castrate ram lambs. Vaccinate non-pregnant goat ewes against Enzootic Abortion. Inspect goat lambs for blue ticks and treat them if necessary. Repair kraals/pens and water troughs and remove dung.
June
Treat lambs against blue ticks if necessary. Dose the rest of the lambs against TAPE WORM. Vaccinate late pregnant ewes 6 weeks before lambing.
July
The testicles of all rams must be palpated to diagnose Epididimites. First, ewes may start lambing soon in the absence of breeding seasons. Identify ewes with udder- and teat defects – cull as soon as lambs are 3 months of age. Switch to a protein lick like ready-mixed Eco-Grassveld-, Bush Improver- or Production Lick (suitable for all small stock breeds). Repair kraals/pens and water troughs and remove dung.
August
Ewes may still be lambing – provide shade and clean water to lambs kept in pens. Also, provide lambs older than 3 weeks of age with Creep Feed Pellets. Dose only lambs older than 6 weeks against Tapeworm and castrate ram lambs. Buy replacement rams for mating in September/October. Keep these rams in kraal for the first 2 weeks for adaptation and feed Breker 12 Pellets. Vaccinate goat ewes with Enzootic abortion 4 – 6 weeks before the mating season starts.
September
Castrate all ram lambs before the age of 3 months. Assist lactating ewes with 150g Rumen Optimizer- or Breker 12 Pellets/ewe/day. Ewes-raising twins get 400g pellets/ewe/day. Lambs must have daily excess to RamLambEwe pellets (50 – 100g/lamb/day). Rams can be flushed with 250g pellets/day for the next 4 weeks. Dose all small stock with a broad spectrum remedy, which includes NOSEWORM. Repair kraals/pens and water troughs and remove dung.
October
Plan the marketing of lambs and culls for November/December. Identify all dry ewes, wethers and old rams and ewes for marketing. Treat animals against ticks.
November/December
MARKETING SEASON
- Confirm auction dates, ear tags, and permits.
- Make sure of current selling prices.
- Compare your lambs’ QUALITY with others on auction.
Once a day, separate goat lambs from ewes and give 200g RamLambEwe or Breker 12 pellets/lamb for the next 4 – 6 weeks (the idea is not to finish off the lambs but slightly increase mass and get the coat of goats smooth and glossy for auctions) Try to sell all surplus animals before Christmas due to higher prices. Repair kraals/pens and water troughs and remove dung. Ensure enough feeds and licks during the festive period up to the first week of the new year!
