Lambing has started in the North Island and some lambs arrive before the due date as rams that get over the fence rarely leave their calling cards.

It's vital all new-borns get their dam's colostrum in the first few hours of life. This is the way nature planned for lambs to get their mothers' essential antibodies to all the bugs they are likely to meet in life.
You would have thought handing on antibodies in the blood throughout pregnancy would be a better way to get this transfer done, but nature had a more cunning plan.
The time limit on colostrum intake is because the intestine of the new born can only absorb these large antibody molecules for a limited time. In the case of a calf, absorption falls away rapidly after six hours and in a lamb after about two hours. After that the digestive system starts to work on the antibodies too.
Animals vary greatly in their behaviour at birth and this can limit the time the lamb or calf has to find a functional teat with a good milk flow in it.
First-timers
Often first-time mothers are so alarmed or enamoured at the sight of what they have produced, they spend the vital first hours licking their new-born and don't stand still to let it find a teat. Human disturbance at this time can make things worse too.
Colostrum varies greatly in quality so it's a very good idea to collect some from older dams that have a good supply. Put it in small feeds in plastic bags in the freezer. You don't need much per feed.
Old fashioned recipes for colostrum made up of egg yolk and cod liver oil are not worth much as they don't contain antibodies. If all else fails, give a starving lamb some cow's colostrum.
When you thaw the frozen colostrum, don't use the microwave as this destroys the antibodies. Weak lambs have to be fed by a stomach tube, so take great care when putting it down the lamb's throat. Extend the head so the mouth, throat and gullet are in a straight line. If in doubt get a vet to show you. Every lamb on small blocks is worth saving this season.

By Clive Dalton