How colostrum can help combat cold

Colostrum rates should be significantly increased for lambs at risk of hypothermia, says Emily Hall, of animal health experts Nettex.

Depending on management and genetic factors, some ewes will struggle to produce enough colostrum to feed their lambs. While this is common in triplets, 30% of twin-bearing ewes and 10% of singles do not produce enough colostrum.

Antibodies in colostrum will also be developed to fight against bacteria and disease pressures found on the farm. Because of this, the best practice when colostrum needs to be supplemented is to feed ewe colostrum harvested off of the farm.

While there are a large number of co- lostrum supplements on the market, farmers should select one based on quality. This should mimic ewe colostrum, with naturally high fat levels, growth factors, hormones, vitamins and minerals critical to lamb survival.

For lambs that have not received ewe maternal colostrum or require high energy, Ms Hall recommends a premium colostrum supplement that is easy to mix with added ewe milk and egg proteins.

When feeding a colostrum supplement, always follow label instructions. Colostrum can then be fed with a bottle or stomach tube. Additional colostrum should be limited to 100ml per feed when feeding via a stomach tube to avoid distension of the stomach.