Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Neonatal Colostrum Management Welfare

Colostrum intake in the first hours of life determines lamb immune status and survival. Systematic colostrum management protects welfare at the most vulnerable stage.

Key Facts

Lambs must consume 50ml per kg body weight of colostrum within the first 6 hours
Gut closure begins within hours of birth, reducing antibody absorption
Colostrum can be stored frozen for up to a year for emergency use
Ewes with insufficient colostrum production require supplementation from colostrum banks
Bottle-fed lambs require careful attention to prevent bloat and respiratory aspiration

Welfare Considerations

Lambs that fail to receive adequate colostrum are immunologically naive - susceptible to every infectious challenge they encounter. This immune failure leads to disease and suffering in what should be a protected early life period. Systematic colostrum management that checks every lamb within 6 hours of birth and supplements where necessary prevents this vulnerability.

What You Can Do

Check every lamb for colostrum intake within 6 hours of birth
Maintain a frozen colostrum bank for emergency supplementation
Supplement weak or cold lambs with tube-fed colostrum
Train all farm staff in colostrum assessment and tube-feeding techniques