The first colostrum should be fed as quickly as possible after birth (after one hour). The sooner after birth the colostrum is given, the betther the antibodies from the colostrum will be absorbed into the intestinal wall of the new-born lamb. When lambs stay with the ewe, feeding colostrum quickly usually is no problem. Lambs that either cannot or are unwilling to drink from the ewe, must be given sufficient colostrum from the very first day onwards.
First feeding
For the first feeding around 60 cc of colostrum is recommended. Colostrum may be given six times a day in a bottle with a nipple in portions of 60 - 100 cc. These depend on the weight of the young lamb. Colostrum may also be supplied unlimited through the lamb bar. It is important to regularly check the colostrum intake.
Weak lambs
In the case of weak lambs that refuse to drink in a normal way, a stomach tube may be used. Forced feeding of colostrum with a bottle (full swallowing) is dangerous, with respect to the risk of milk ending up in the longues. This mostly leads to death.
Lack of colostrum
If there is no colostrum from ewes available, cow colostrum can be used. In such cases, please take the following precautions:
- gradually heat up frozen cow colostrum to a temperature of 40°C with respect to the flocculation of the protein
- there is a chance of anaemia (destruction of red blood corpuscles). In order to prevent this, ask a veterinary surgeon to check the colostrum
- it is recommended to mix the colostrum of several cows
When lambs stay with their mother at first, they will ingest sufficient colostrum within one day. Therewith the lambs can be switched over to Sprayfo Lamb from the second day onwards.
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