Colostrum is often described as liquid gold due to its essential role in giving lambs the best possible start in life. It has three invaluable properties – it supplies lambs with a source of energy which is vital for heat production, it provides passive immunity that protects against a range of diseases ewes are exposed to and also acts as a laxative to help lambs clear their system (pass meconium).

There are a number of factors that can help ensure colostrum gets the best chance to work.

1. Timing

The quicker lambs consume colostrum, the better in terms of building the lamb’s immunity levels and guarding against diseases present in the environment. The longer lambs go without colostrum, particularly if born into a cold environment, the lower their vigour will be and higher the risk of mortality.

2. Volume

The general recommendation is 50ml colostrum/kg birthweight in the first feed with a total intake of 200ml to 250ml colostrum/kg birthweight in the first 24 hours of life. This typically equates to an intake of 1l/lamb.

Where lambs are artificially fed, the recommendation is four to five feeds in the first 24 hours of life. Colostrum requirements for lambs born indoors will be lower than for lambs born outdoors into low temperatures.

3. Late pregnancy feeding

Energy and protein intake in late pregnancy will have a direct influence on the quality and quantity of colostrum produced.

Where energy intake in the final four weeks of pregnancy is 20% deficient, it will reduce the volume of colostrum produced in the first hour and thereafter while also reducing early lactation milk yield. It should also be noted that this will have negative consequences on weaning weights.

Twin-bearing ewes in late pregnancy require in the region of 200g of protein daily with soya bean meal the preferred protein source. Late pregnancy feeding also has an effect on lamb vigour which is central to suckling behaviour and colostrum intake.

4. Ewe condition

Thin ewes will obviously be under more pressure to produce colostrum but there can also be issues with colostrum supply in over-fat ewes. This is due to slower progesterone clearance which inhibits milk let down. Oxytocin can help a ewe that is slow to let down milk but it will only be useful where there is a good source of colostrum available in the first place.

It is particularly important that ewes lambing outdoors give birth to healthy, vigorous lambs that will be up and suckling quickly.

5. Ewe colostrum is best

Research carried out in UCD shows that lambs which received ewe colostrum as opposed to a colostrum alternative achieved higher lifetime performance. While not always possible to have a source of ewe colostrum available, the best balance is ensuring lambs get an allocation of ewe colostrum to promote antibody intake and a top-up of alternative colostrum can be used to fill the deficit. Cow colostrum will also work but be careful if getting colostrum from another farm to take account of the disease risk (particularly Johnes disease).

6. Ewe breed

Research carried out in UCD Lyons research farm by Frank Campion and Tommy Boland showed that ewe breed, age and gestation length will also affect the quality and quantity of colostrum produced. Suffolk cross ewes had the highest colostrum production in the first 18 hours of life, as reflected in Table 1, but where late pregnancy nutrition is adequate, the consensus from the research is that all breeds should be capable of producing enough colostrum to meet the requirements of lambs born indoors.

7. Hygiene

While colostrum will help fight against diseases present in the environment, there is a risk of lambs coming in contact with infection before colostrum has been consumed. The risk is often greatest in straw bedded sheds where insufficient straw has been used or lambs are suckling ewes that have dirty teats and udders.

To get the maximum return from colostrum, high levels of hygiene must also be practised. This includes washing and disinfecting feeding equipment.

8. Avoid boiling water

Boiling water should never be used to defrost colostrum as doing so will kill natural antibodies. Colostrum should be defrosted slowly with warm water.

The same goes for adding water to colostrum powders. Water can be boiled and allowed to cool before adding.