Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
RAISING A COLOSTRUM-DEPRIVED LAMB
It's possible but diffi cult to raise a colostrum-deprived lamb. Colos-
trum provides the lamb with antibodies against common environ-
mental pathogens, which protect it during the fi rst few weeks of
life, until its own immune system can begin producing them. The
lamb is too young to receive vaccinations, but you may be able to
administer antisera to provide temporary protection against com-
mon lamb diseases. Your veterinarian can help you evaluate the
possible benefi ts of antisera.
Is the Lamb Getting Milk?
One surefi re way to tell if the lamb is actually getting milk while it's nursing
is to watch its tail: if lambs are getting milk, those little tails swing back and
forth like a fl ag in a good breeze. If the tail is not in motion, you may have a
problem. Constant crying may be another indication that something is amiss,
but not always — some lambs will starve to death without making a sound. For
the fi rst week or so, make sure that the ewe has milk (by hand milking some
out of each nipple) and that the lamb is actually getting some. A lamb that's
getting milk will have a puffed-out belly, but one that's not getting any has a
sunken belly and its skin piles up in folds. Some ewes may come into milk
only to dry up after a day or two, so never assume that a ewe will continue to
milk after the fi rst day. Be vigilant while the lambs are little.
The ewe's milk should be suffi cient if she is well fed. However, if a young
ewe does not have suffi cient milk, supplement it with a couple of 2-ounce
bottle feedings for the fi rst 2 days, preferably with milk taken from another
ewe or with newborn milk formula. Insuffi cient milk letdown can sometimes
be resolved by injections of oxytocin, available from your veterinarian. If the
quantity is still not suffi cient for the lamb, supplement it with a couple of
4-ounce feedings of lamb milk replacer during the fi rst week, then increase
to feedings of about 8 ounces when the lamb is 2 weeks old. Poorly fed old
ewes also may have a scant milk supply. If you are feeding an orphan or a lamb
whose mother has no milk, see the box above.
