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lambing
colostrum
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Colostrum remains the most critical factor for lamb survival.
It must be ensured that each lamb born receives colostrum within 6 hours. If for any reason, a lamb cannot take colostrum voluntarily it must be dosed using a stomach tube. Ewe colostrum can be stored in a freezer and gently reheated to body temperature.
Ewes should be penned individually with their lambs for at least 24 hours, in normal circumstances, to ensure maternal bonding.
Currently Lackham results show that 20% of lambs are lost between scanning and weaning. Records will be kept so that we can establish the periods of risk. These records will include types of death (abortion, drowning, laid on, weak triplet etc). For the 2003 lambing season a target of 15% or less has been set. In order to achieve this it is important to ensure that properly trained and motivated staff attend the ewes at lambing time.
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