Sheep Farming

Sheep Neonatal Colostrum Management

Adequate colostrum intake in the first hours of life is critical to lamb survival and welfare, requiring active management on farms.

Key Facts

Lambs must absorb maternal antibodies from colostrum within 24 hours of birth
Gut closure prevents antibody absorption after approximately 24 hours
Lambs need 50ml/kg body weight of colostrum in the first 6 hours
Hypothermia reduces colostrum intake drive and gut absorption
Stored colostrum from other ewes or bovine sources can be used as backup

Welfare Considerations

Failure of passive transfer leaves lambs vulnerable to infectious disease throughout their first weeks. Even brief delays in colostrum intake significantly reduce protection. Active supervision at lambing, with intervention to assist weak lambs to suckle, is a welfare imperative that also improves flock productivity.

What You Can Do

Support lamb welfare schemes requiring colostrum management protocols
Choose lamb from farms with documented lambing supervision standards
Advocate for lambing supervision requirements in sheep welfare assurance