How to prevent osteomalacia in pregnant sheep in winter

Right now, dairy goats have entered the period of carrying fetuses through the winter. Over the years, many farmers have lacked knowledge of ewe reproductive health care and have not yet recognized the importance of doing a good job preventing and treating osteomalacia in pregnant sheep to ensure safe birth, which has led to difficult births and postpartum paralysis. Therefore, osteomalacia in pregnant sheep should be prevented in winter.

Osteomalacia in pregnant sheep is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D and calcium and phosphorus in the body. Pregnant sheep not only need nutrition for themselves but also must supply material for the growth and development of the fetus, so the feed for pregnant sheep must be especially nutritious. But the gestation period of dairy goats coincides with winter, when water is cold and grass is withered and high-quality green forage is lacking. The dry forage fed lacks nutrients and can hardly meet the nutritional needs of the sheep. In addition, low winter temperatures and little sunlight mean that sheep produce less vitamin D from outdoor sunlight exposure. If vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and other substances are not supplemented in the diet in time, sheep are prone to osteomalacia, difficult births and postpartum paralysis. Because of the mother's nutritional deficiency, the fetus may develop congenital rickets and osteomalacia, and even stillbirth may occur. Prevention and treatment methods:

1. Strengthen care and increase light exposure. Before winter, pens should be built or repaired in time. It is best to choose a site sheltered from the wind and facing the sun for building the pen, to help increase light exposure and raise the temperature. In cold periods, cover with plastic film and straw curtains to keep warm and prevent cold. A damp sheep pen will make the barn temperature even lower, and the sheep are prone to illness, so droppings should be removed frequently, bedding soil should be changed frequently, and cleaning should be done regularly to keep the pen dry, clean and warm. Each time, give the sheep warm soup and warm water to drink. Do not feed frozen grass or let them drink frozen water. In winter, with low temperatures and little sunlight, take advantage of the favorable opportunity of ample sunlight at noon during the day and let the sheep go outdoors to bask in the sun more. Increasing light exposure is an effective and economical way to obtain vitamin D and strengthen the body.

2. Improve the extensive feeding method used in previous years of letting sheep gnaw on stalks, which lowers feeding efficiency, and promote the use of silage and ammoniated feed. Cut harvested green corn stalks and sweet potato vines into short pieces, and use a small pit or plastic film for silage or ammoniation treatment to make silage and ammoniated feed for feeding. It has the characteristics of good palatability, saving concentrate, and increasing nutritional value.

3. Rationally match feed and add vitamin D and calcium and phosphorus in time. In addition to feeding silage and other feed in the daily ration, focus on supplementing more foods containing vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus, such as fish roe, bone meal, eggshells and other minerals. Also take advantage of the favorable opportunity before the ground freezes to collect and store more green feed rich in vitamins, such as green vegetable leaves, carrots, alfalfa, sweet potato, paulownia leaves, etc., to make up for the nutrients lacking in stalk feed.

4. Preventive medication to nip problems in the bud. For old, weak, thin sheep and sheep with painful, weak limbs and difficulty walking, preventive medication should be given early to eliminate hidden dangers and achieve the purpose of preventing and treating disease. Use calcium gluconate tablets, 4 tablets at a time, 3 times a day. Cod liver oil pills can be added and taken together. Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D, which can both promote calcium absorption and deposit calcium and phosphorus in the bones, thereby sufficiently supplementing calcium in the sheep's body. It can also promote growth and increase the sheep's resistance. The medication period is 2 weeks as 1 course of treatment, generally taken for 4 weeks. For weak and old sheep, it can be taken for longer, until recovery.