A newborn lamb has no immunity of its own yet. It gets it from colostrum, the ewe's first milk, and the sooner it drinks it, the better. This collection is about what to do if the ewe has too little colostrum or milk, or if you are bottle-rearing lambs: measuring colostrum, supplementing colostrum and moving on to lamb milk replacer.
Step 1: colostrum, as soon as possible
A newborn lamb's gut only absorbs antibodies from colostrum well in the first hours. So let the lamb drink as soon as possible, from the ewe or from the bottle. With a colostrum meter or the more accurate refractometer version from Hofman Animal Care, you assess whether colostrum is rich enough. You can freeze good colostrum from a ewe with a surplus for later.
Step 2: supplement if it falls short
If there is too little or no usable colostrum, there is Colstart Plus from Excellent, in 25 gram sachets and in 750 gram and 2 kilo tubs. The sachets are handy for a single lamb; the tub pays off in a larger lambing shed. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack carefully.
Step 3: lamb milk replacer
After the colostrum period, you switch to milk replacer. Excellent Lammetjesmelk comes in 4 and 8 kilo bags. Choose by the number of lambs and how long you will feed them: with one bottle lamb, 4 kilos lasts a long time; with a group, you are better off taking the large bag straight away. Always mix the milk at the same temperature and concentration; changes lead more quickly to digestive problems.
What to watch for
Store milk powder dry and tightly closed. Throw away leftover mixed milk rather than warming it up again later. A lamb that will not drink or becomes weak often needs more than milk alone; then consult your vet.
Bottles and teats are in feeding bottles and teats, the stomach tube and heat lamp in lamb care. Everything about lambing time is under lambing.
Frequently asked questions
Within what time does a lamb need colostrum?
Preferably in the first hours of its life. With every hour that passes, the gut absorbs fewer antibodies.
Can I freeze colostrum?
Yes, you can freeze good colostrum from a ewe with a surplus. Thaw it slowly in lukewarm water, not in the microwave.
Is lamb milk replacer the same as colostrum?
No. Colostrum contains antibodies for the first day of life; lamb milk replacer is artificial milk for the period after that.