Colostrum

This is the first milk produced by most animals (but not humans). It is very rich in maternal antibodies and is essential in pro-viding passive immunity to the neonate.

An adequate amount of colostrum must be ingested during the first few hours after birth while the intestinal epithelium is still permeable to the large molecules of the immunoglobulins.

Ensuring adequate colostrums intake is the single most important thing you can do to give lambs the best start in life.

Ideally, lambs should receive 200ml colostrum within the first thirty minutes of life and a total of 200ml/kg body-weight within the first 24 hours will help to prevent many illnesses.

Ideally, triplets should be fostered onto singles and the ewe monitored to ensure she does not reject her lambs.

It is a good idea to store any spare colostrum (i.e. from single mothers) in the freezer so you always have some in case of an emergency.

DO NOT MICROWAVE TO DEFROST COLOSTRUM – WARM IN A SAUCEPAN.