Ten steps to healthy surplus lambs

Mar 17 2008 The Journal

SURPLUS lambs should have the very best start in life if they’re to be reared successfully, says Adas sheep consultant Kate Phillips.

Adopting this 10-point plan will ensure a routine that pays dividends.

:: Use your scanning results – they’re vital in planning likely numbers and for setting up an effective system.

:: Feed a quality diet with high energy and protein to ensure good sized lambs and rich colostrum supply.

:: Soon after birth, dip all lamb navels in strong iodine solution. Keep the immediate environment hygienic.

:: Ensure all lambs get a good supply of colostrum within six hours of birth (50ml/kg body weight per feed). Leave them with the ewe for at least 24 hours, until the navel is dry. If necessary, lambs should be supervised suckling to ensure sufficient colostrum intake.

:: Do not choose weak or sickly lambs for artificial rearing.

:: Take the spare lamb from the ewe and bottle feed on milk replacer for 48 hours before introducing to group pens.

:: Put lambs into group pens and take them to the teats on the ad lib bucket or machine to teach them to suckle. You may need to repeat several times in the first day to ensure lambs are confident drinkers.

:: Introduce creep and a clean, dry source of long forage, either hay or straw, at about one week old.

:: Keep all the milk feeding equipment very clean.

:: Vaccinate against clostridia and pasteurella at four to six weeks. Inject with a booster four weeks later.