Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
Twin Scottish Half bred × Suffolk lambs born to well-nourished ewes suffered no ill effects, in terms of growth rate or serum immunoglobulin levels, when deprived of colostrum for periods of up to 9 h after birth provided they received adequate colostrum after the deprivation period was completed.
Poor ewe nutrition during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy, when combined with 9-h periods of colostrum deprivation, adversely affected serum immunoglobulin levels and appeared to increase mortality.