For everyone reading these threads for information I wonder if you would be kind enough to post what your protocol is for feeding pregnant does in late gestation.
That's a great idea. I hope no one minds me posting some information about it.
Since it's going to depend on each farm, I'll give more citations on what causes pregnancy toxemia and what is needed to prevent it. What works for one program may not work for another.
According to the Merck Manual:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/meta...-lipidosis/pregnancy-toxemia-in-ewes-and-does
"The primary predisposing cause of pregnancy toxemia is inadequate nutrition during late gestation, usually because of insufficient energy density of the ration and decreased rumen capacity as a result of fetal growth."
The energy requirements in the last 4 weeks of gestation is drastically increased. According to Merck's, a standard doe will see a need for a 23% energy increase when carrying a single. This increases to 36% with twins, and 42% with triplets. This means their energy requirements will nearly double when dealing with triplets.
"Females with a poor body condition score (BCS ≤2) or that are overconditioned (BCS ≥4) and carrying more than one fetus are most at risk of developing pregnancy toxemia, although the condition can occur even in ideally conditioned ewes on an adequate ration."
According to Merck's, this means a doe should not be less than a 2.5 BCS when entering the last 6 weeks of gestation to help prevent pregnancy toxemia. Do not decrease the weight of a doe during late pregnancy either, as it will only increase the risk of pregnancy toxemia.
Grain is a great source of readily available carbohydrates, but the amount "...varies depending on forage quality, adult body weight and condition score, and number of fetuses, but protein must also be balanced for rumen microbes to make optimal use of available carbohydrates."
Here's a bonus article from a NCSU small ruminant agent:
https://www.courier-tribune.com/new...SFUTHlSQ05Ru6YyTT2Kv2jDbNQ3DPu8JF0-QTYmlA5RWQ
___________________
For our farm, we feed the same amount of grain year round and have free choice grass hay. Every region and program will vary. Our does are not overweight and we breed at an ideal weight. However, I have seen farms struggle with pregnancy toxemia even with perfectly fed pregnant does.
If you are not having an issue, then keep your program where it's at. If you're having issues, then it's time to to reconsider your program and consider adding high sources of energy. Adding alfalfa hay, cottonseed, corn, soybeans, etc are all ways to increase their carbohydrates. Just make sure you have sufficient protein to digest the needed energy.