Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
You have made a great contribution to the colostral protection of the new-
born lamb if you have previously vaccinated the ewe (twice) with a vaccine to
protect against tetanus, enterotoxemia, and the other common clostridial dis-
eases. These antibodies are absorbed by the mammary gland from the ewe's
bloodstream and are incorporated into the colostrum so they protect the new-
born lamb until it starts to manufacture its own antibodies. The small intes-
tine of the newborn lamb possesses a very temporary ability to absorb these
large molecular antibodies from the colostrum. This ability to absorb anti-
bodies decreases by the hour and becomes almost nonexistent by 16 to
18 hours of life. Colostrum is high in vitamins and protein and is a mild laxa-
tive, which can assist in passing the fetal dung (meconium, the black, tarry
substance that is passed shortly after the lamb nurses for the fi rst time).
The longer a lamb has to survive without colostrum, the fewer antibodies
it has the opportunity to absorb and the less chance it has of survival if it
develops problems. A weak lamb, or one of low birth weight, can be lost
because of a delay in nursing.
When a ewe has too much milk, her udder becomes too full and the teats
become enlarged. To rectify this situation, milk out a bit of this colostrum
and freeze it in small containers for emergency use. Ice-cube containers and
small resealable freezer bags are good options because they allow you to thaw
small quantities as needed. Solidly frozen colostrum will keep for a year or
more if it is well wrapped. When saving and freezing colostrum, you should
have a combination of colostrum milked from several ewes, for they do not
all produce the same broad spectrum of disease-fi ghting antibodies. Cow or
goat colostrum can be stored and used in emergencies.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR STARVATION
Loss due to lack of colostral antibodies is not the same as loss
due to starvation, which occurs from receiving no milk at all. A
strong lamb can sometimes survive for a day or more without
getting any milk but will become weaker all the time. Many lamb
deaths that are attributed to disease are actually due to starvation.
Lambs often die having not uttered a sound or indicated that they
were starving. Always make sure that the lambs are really nursing,
and always recheck the ewe for the fi rst few days to make sure she
is continuing to give milk.
