Brown Fat

[Jerry]

Just wondered how long brown fat lasts in a new born lamb?

I know it gets metabolised rapidly post birth, just wondered how long it is an effective reserve?

 

[Bury the Trash]

I guess it Depends on how much of it they've got, how quickly they suck and how bad the weather is, I guess lambing in
APRIL/may in good weather with good feed then they wouldn't use it very quick .

Not sure to be honest a month with a generous amount and in really good going ?

Interesting question though and timely

 

[Stuart J]

I always wondered if there was a way of feeding ewes to increase lamb brown fat reserves.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Yes there is actually feed the ewe well in the last 8 / 6weeks , vits and mins , vit e is a trendy one and soya is the best quality protein type especially for the dup / rumen bypass part, rumen bypass protein) which is good for colostrum/ early milk production.
good energy as well , plus barley or something as genuine...
Grass is good as well of course .

 

[Farmer Fin]

Just wondered how long brown fat lasts in a new born lamb?

I know it gets metabolised rapidly post birth, just wondered how long it is an effective reserve?

Within 12 hrs I believe.

 

[neilo]

I always wondered if there was a way of feeding ewes to increase lamb brown fat reserves.

It can be bred for. There is a gene test available so that rams can be bred for the ability to mobilise it. Lambs still need to be born with the fat reserves to mobilise though.

 

[Longlowdog]

Nadis says (in paraphrase) that a lamb found hypothermic under6 hours old will still have sufficient reserves to withstand warming without being fed.