Guard Against Wet Straw In Lambing Sheds
14/02/05

Shepherds gearing up for lambing must counter a potential hygiene threat from damp straw bedding this season by using a particularly absorbent disinfectant.

Dr Alan Reeve from C&H Nutrition says plenty of straw was baled wet last autumn and it could still be harbouring harmful bacteria that could be a threat to young lambs.

"Lambs are born with no natural immunity to disease and only gain protection through the colostrum they take from the ewe. Consequently, the lambing environment must be as clean and dry as possible," he says.

"Apart from potential wet straw dangers, it's also important to realise that a bacterial build up will have started as soon as the ewes were housed. It is essential that this is countered with an absorbent disinfectant such as Dri Li Plus or lambs will pick up diseases such as joint and navel ill, watery mouth or even salmonella and E.coli infections."

Dr Reeve says that the faster these harmful bacteria are knocked out, the lower losses will be throughout the lambing season.