PREBREEDING

SEVERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BREEDING SEASON FOR RUMINANTS

BY JIMMY PARKER

Small ruminants that we deal with will typically breed in the fall and give birth to their offspring in the springtime. Deer, sheep, and goats technically fall into this category and will soon be approaching their traditional breeding season. There are several things we need to consider as breeding season approaches and some things we can do nutritionally that will help make a successful breeding season possible. The time to consider some factors is now and the nutrition provided for the next few months is crucial.

Typically, the males tend to lose weight during the breeding season. Sometimes they lose a great deal of body condition, and we need to make sure that they are in great shape before breeding begins so that they can perform throughout breeding season and, with wild species such as deer, survive the cold weather that will follow. When you consider that the forages that are typically available during a breeding season are at best declining in nutritional value, it becomes even more important to consider supplementing their daily energy intake. Generally, the forages available in the fall months leading up to the breeding season will be mature and have lost a great deal of their nutritional value. Energy will often be the most limiting factor and one nutrient that needs to be considered when fall feeding or supplements are considered. Feeding high energy feeds and in some cases high fat tubs are great ways to get the male breeding animals prepared for the challenges of breeding. Another practice that is often used is grazing immature energy-rich winter annuals such as ryegrass.

be successful and species-specific loose minerals, offered in a good location, will pay dividends.

As with male breeding animals, energy is often a limiting factor in females and when small ruminant females are in an energy-positive state or gaining weight in the weeks leading up to breeding, they will increase the number of twin births. The same techniques used in helping males prepare for breeding will be highly effective with the does or ewes as well. The technique of feeding your females to gain weight pre-breeding is known as flushing in sheep and goats and many research projects have shown this to be effective.

Vitamins and minerals are also critical during the pre-breeding. Also like the male, vitamins and minerals in the correct balance are critical for reproductive health in the females for a number of reasons. Also, as with the males, a plain white salt block will not help meet these needs. High fat tubs may be a great choice for providing a combination of protein, energy and some vitamins and minerals. Loose minerals designed for the particular species of concern is the other best option.

When you consider that the forages that are typically available during a breeding season are at best declining in nutritional value, it becomes even more important to consider supplementing their daily energy intake.

Protein needs really do not increase greatly during the period leading up to breeding, but adequate protein is necessary for reproduction and for the proper efficient utilization of feed in general. As with energy, 60 days prior to the beginning of breeding season is one of the most critical times to prepare breeding animals.

Vitamins and mineral supplementation is also one of the more important areas that is often overlooked in small ruminant breeding animals. The proper balance of available vitamins and minerals will improve forage digestion and help protein and energy utilization. They are also vital in the formation of the hormones and enzymes needed to reproduce successfully. Good fresh minerals and vitamins, offered in a way that is accessible and in a palatable form, will add to the possibility of a successful breeding season. Products far more fortified than white salt will help you

In small ruminant livestock no factor plays a larger role on your bottom line than the number of offspring born and raised. It is also critical in farmed or wild deer and ensuring that the vital nutritional needs are met is just one of a number of management practices that can help. Nutrition is the easiest factor that we can control and one of the few that we can adjust real time as breeding season approaches. Most things rely on rainfall or temperature swings. Take care of all your breeding animals by making sure their nutritional needs are met before and during the breeding period and they will do a better job of taking care of you long term.