Weather difficulties: Heavy rainfall has rapidly reversed the slight improvement in ground conditions last weekend. The weather forecast for the coming days remains bad, with more rainfall on the way over the weekend (see page 59).

This is creating difficulties for farmers currently lambing in getting young ewes and lambs turned outdoors. With more compact lambing this spring, it is adding to an already heavy workload and is limiting opportunities to free up lambing pens and carry out cleaning and disinfecting of individual pens between lambings.

Where this is the case, spreading hydrated lime and a heavy bed of straw will help to reduce the build-up of disease and potential issues, but care should still be taken to try to get a complete clean and disinfect once possible.

Where releasing ewes and lambs, it is important to keep an eye on the weather forecast, as any change in the wind direction could potentially leave animals without shelter. Target letting animals out in small numbers to fields with the greatest potential for a dry lie.

Colostrum and stomach tubing: High litter sizes and a greater percentage of multiple births may increase the number of lighter lambs born that may require closer attention and stomach tubing. The practice of stomach tubing should be carried out by inserting the tube into the lamb’s mouth and gradually feeding it in as the lamb swallows. If it is pushed down without the lamb swallowing, there is a risk that the tube will go into the lungs and the lamb being drowned when colostrum is given.

Care should also be taken to feed the tube in gently and not to force it once it has come to a stop. Generally, about three-quarters of the tube will be inserted in an average-sized lamb.

Once the tube is delivered to the required depth, slowly deliver the required colostrum. Where delivering more than one full syringe, plug the top of the tube with your finger when refilling to prevent excess air entering the stomach. This should also be carried out when removing the tube.

Remember, colostrum alternatives should be used as an aid to ewe’s colostrum and not a supplement.

Hypothermia: For lambs suffering from hypothermia and not able to suckle, many vets advise against stomach tubing until lambs have recovered body temperature.

The advised route to get lambs suffering from hypothermia and not able to suckle back on track is to get a rapid source of energy into the lamb. This is best achieved by administering a glucose injection into the stomach (abdominal cavity).

The recommended dosage rate is 10ml of a 20% glucose injection per kilogramme bodyweight. Care should be taken to check the concentration, as some may require further dilution. The solution should also be warmed to body temperature.

The site for administering the injection is one inch down and one inch out from the animal’s navel and on the right side as you look down from its head.

Veterinary advise includes administering the solution into the abdominal cavity and not the gut of an animal. This can be done by inserting the needle (a one-inch 19-gauge needle) downwards at a 45° angle. The lamb should only be warmed after it has received the solution.