Colostrum for Newborn
Lambs and Kids

Newborn lambs and kids require colostrum at birth as a sole source of nutrition. When the dam cannot provide enough high quality colostrum, producers now have a highly effective and convenient alternative.

Colostrum for Newborn
Lambs and Kids

Beef calves can come in the middle in the night, during a blizzard, as twins, or though dystocia. We can be as prepared as possible, but things don’t always go as planned. You want live calves and the peace of mind knowing your newborns are off to the best start possible, so you can get on with your day (or night). Trust SCCL colostrum to be the staple in your calving kit this season. Its convenient, it’s quick and most importantly, it works.

Lamb & Kid Resources

We’ve created a variety of tools to help you learn more about colostrum, calves and SCCL. Our goal is to equip you with the the best resources to feel confident when feeding colostrum and making decisions in raising your calves.

Mixing and Feeding Tips

Watch videos!

What is colostrum, and why is it so important for newborn lambs and kids?

Colostrum is the first liquid produced by a ewe or doe, after she gives birth, and it is the most essential and valuable source of nutrition for a newborn lamb and kids. This first milk is an important component for the survival and health of the offspring, not only because of its high nutritional value, but also because it is a source of antibodies that helps develop the immune system to protect the infant from infections. Because of the type of the ruminant’s placenta, the transfer of passive immunoglobulin from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy is impaired, meaning colostrum is the sole source to establish immunity. Thus, the percentage of newborn kid and lamb survival depends on the colostrum access during the first hours after birth. Since colostrum is an energy-rich source, it helps newborns maintain their body temperature in order to stay warm and thrive. Colostrum also contributes to a lamb’s organ development through natural growth factors and hormones. Additionally, research proves day one colostrum sets up a newborn for a lifetime of greater performance and higher milk production due to its diverse components such as bioactive factors, cells and hormones. Feeding high-quality colostrum in sufficient quantity immediately after birth, protects the newborn, both in the short and long term. Ideally, each newborn lambs should be fed colostrum as soon as possible, preferably within the first 30 minutes but do not delay the first feeding past two hours after birth.

When and how much colostrum?

Morbidity and mortality are issues that affect lambs and kids globally, and consequently, we see an impact on their health and productivity. Providing adequate quantities of colostrum is key to reducing death loss and health challenges that may occur due to infectious disease. In some farms, lambs are separated from their mothers immediately after birth and transferred to an artificial rearing unit. Early access to adequate volume of good quality colostrum is essential for their health since the lack of successful passive immunity from the dam to the offspring is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants.

Lambs and kids must receive at least 50 ml/kg of good colostrum (>25% Brix) as soon as possible after birth, and for sure within the first 2 hours. In 24 hours, a newborn must receive the equivalent of 200 ml/kg body weight in colostrum (AHDB) or at least 30g of IgG. Thus, a 3 kg newborn should get ideally at least 600 ml of colostrum on its first day of life. This amount can be divided into two or three meals. However, if this amount is not possible, the suggested intake to secure successful passive immune transfer is between 10-15% of the newborn body weight. That means that the 3 kg kid or lamb should get at least 450 ml divided in two to three times during the first day of life.

Difficulties regarding colostrum may arise, due to poor quality, lack of adequate quantity, or even due to short of farm staff to help providing colostrum quickly. All these problems can harm a lamb’s health and expose them to disease challenges and low development in their first months of life. As a result, protocols have been developed for the administration of dried colostrum, which can help ensure that newborns receive sufficient amounts of high-quality colostrum.

What are the best alternatives to ewe or doe colostrum?

SCCL’s products are made from high-quality bovine colostrum, which has been proven to be an effective colostrum alternative for newborn lambs and kids. For the most part, bovine colostrum contains the same nutrients and growth factors as are found in ewe and doe colostrum and therefore will prevent starvation if fed early and in amounts recommended to transfer immunity. The most important nutrients that prevent hypothermia are colostral fat and lactose. On average bovine colostrum contains the same amount of lactose but is 2.5 to 3.5 times lower in fat than ewe and doe colostrum. SCCL uses bovine colostrum that is naturally higher in colostral fat to produce our lamb and kid colostrum products. They should be fed to small ruminants born into conditions where the risk of hypothermia is high to provide energy to thermoregulate.

The Colostrum Counsel

Expert advice for colostrum management practices

SCCL Collaborative Published Studies

Published studies proving the efficacy of our products and applications

F.A.Q.

Have a question? Find the answer here.

Video Library

Baby animals. Need we say more?!

Learning center includes:
The Colostrum Counsel, SCCL Collaborative Published Studies, Mixing and Feeding Tips, FAQ, Beyond Colostrum Podcasts, Video Library and more about Headstart Dairy.