Lamb mortality levels can be reduced by a high energy colostrum replacement
"Lamb Yield" is the most important factor in sheep farming. If lambs are born alive the mother has done all she can, but if lambs are small, weak and unviable then the shepherd needs to step in quickly and take positive action to eliminate any further deterioration or loss. The easiest and most effective rescue action is to give the lamb a drink of warm colostrum. This colostrum needs to provide a mixture of instant energy and medium term (slow) energy, plus it needs to boost natural disease immunity. If the mother cannot provide this colostrum, then the farmer must provide a colostrum replacer or substitute.
The first and most basic need of a weak new born lamb is INSTANT ENERGY. This is the single most important element for survival because it provides the will to live and survive, therefore good colostrum must firstly provide well over 60% of immediate energy and feed value at birth. If a lamb cannot find the energy to get up and suckle from its mother or a warm bottle. Instant energy comes from lactose and other sugars in the colostrum. At this point the availability of IgG’s, vitamins and minerals is irrelevant. These elements, although very important, come secondary to energy. A good colostrum replacer should contain high levels of sugars and fats.
The next basic need of a lamb then becomes FAT ENERGY. Every lamb is born with a small fat reserve. Fat is the engine which generates warmth and stimulates the digestive system. Everybody has experienced lambs that die up to six days after birth because they had no reserves of energy to give them warmth, aggressive suckling and protection from hypothermia. Without sufficient medium term fat energy your lambs will not survive this critical period. A good colostrum replacer should contain high levels of oils and fats to replenish the lamb’s own fat reserves.
Nature intended lambs to pick up disease immunity through their mothers’ colostrum. Natural colostrum contains proteins called immunoglobulins (IgG’s etc.) which give immunity to bacteria and viral diseases. New born lambs pick up these diseases from teats, bedding and faeces. In the short term these diseases can lead to scours, watery mouth and mortality, but in the longer term they prevent the lamb from thriving and retard daily live weight gain. If the mother’s colostrum is insufficient, a good colostrum replacer (if it is made from whole natural colostrum) will contain high levels of proteins to keep the lamb alive and healthy.
Farmers need to be inquisitive when buying their colostrum replacers as there is a huge difference between colostrum replacers based on whole colostrum and cheap colostrum substitutes. Buyers must be careful to check the ingredients on the packaging. In the last couple of years colostrum substitutes have appeared where the sellers are more concerned with the selling price rather than the content, quality and good value for money. Good value for money is relative to the lamb’s first week survival and how it thrives thereafter. Thin bony lambs do not make good market prices! A high energy feed is more cost effective than a low one. Low energy colostrum given to a weak needy lamb will cost it its life.
So how can a shepherd decide which colostrum replacer is "fit for purpose"? After careful assessment of the needs of the flock the shepherd must first consider energy and feed value, then attend to the other protective requirements.
The best colostrum replacers should contain;
• Minimum 30% lactose, a fast source of immediate energy.
• Minimum 20% oil/fat, sustainable slow burn energy to keep the lamb warm and suckling whilst building its own body condition and a solid immune system.
• Minimum 30% protein, from whole colostrum and egg protein.
• Probiotics, friendly bacteria to speed up the digestion of sugars and populate the digestive system
Net-Tex is one of Europe’s biggest providers of whole colostrum and colostrum replacers.
Remember if your lamb survives more than 10 minutes from natural birth you have all the tools available for it to continue to live, thrive and get to market!
