We do feel we are playing a bit of a ‘waiting’ game at the moment. We have a total of 16 (we hope) pregnant animals but with over three weeks to go until the first ‘official’ due date, all we can do is watch and wait. We have a final trip to Mole Valley Farmers to do to get the lambing/kidding et al box totally ready and nearer the time we will of course need to prepare lambing/ kidding etc pens. But until things start, there is not really a lot we can do to feel more prepared! Having never calved before (nor ‘unpacked’ our alpacas) we need to find the right balance between applying what we know about lambing and kidding (after all, cows are mammals AND ruminants too) and being aware of what we DON’T know because actually cows are quite different (and a LOT bigger). Lots is going to be the same including how crucial it is to get colostrum (first milk from the udder) into the new-born youngster asap. In all cases, you want it to be mum that does this with the most you (the human) having to do, is perhaps point the just-born lamb/calf etc in the direction of the udder. When lambs, calves and kids are first born, they need the colostrum ideally within the first hour. Colostrum contains a load of anti-bodies to help keep infection at bay Within the first six hours, the gut wall of the young animal is very receptive to allowing the antibodies straight through into the bloodstream where they will start to protect straight away. AFTER six hours, the gut wall becomes less receptive and after 12 (24 for a calf), it probably won’t allow any anti-bodies through at all. As well as providing antibodies, colostrum also contains nutrients to keep the new-born warm and fed. Whenever we watch (and/or help with) a birth we NEVER leave until we have seen - or helped initiate – that first crucial drink.
Lambs need 50ml/kg of colostrum at birth and every 6 hours thereafter in the first 24 hours. This equates (in our experience) to several minutes of drinking each time. A calf needs 3 litres in the first six hours which apparently equates to TWENTY minutes of continuous drinking. A crucial item for the lambing/calving/kidding box therefore, is artificial colostrum just in case the mum in question does not have any – plus bottles and teats!!!
Just writing about lambs and calves is making us excited – and a little scared too: it's a big responsibility, that of bringing new life into the world!!!