Transporting cattle Cattle should be moved to the abattoir in clean, well ventilated trailers. Straw can be provided but shavings or sawdust should be avoided as it can stick to the hides and cause problems on the factory line when the animal is being dressed. Cattle should have food withdrawn for a short period before movement to reduce soiling during transport. The most important factor for lamb survival is feeding colostrum as soon after birth as possible. Colostrum will provide the lamb with energy to protect it from the cold, as well as providing essential protection against specific diseases, which the ewe has been vaccinated for.
Colostrum is also a very effective laxative.
The lamb can only transfer these antibodies from its gut to its bloodstream for up to 15 hours after birth. Therefore, it is important that the lambs get a suck early. Lambs born indoors will require slightly less provide they are in a warm dry pen. Some ewes, for one reason or another, may not have adequate supplies for their lambs. Also orphan lambs and weak or sick lambs may need an additional supply of colostrum.