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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 203
Overfeeding is more common during the first week or two than later on. After having given them colostrum and then starting them on a lamb milk replacer that has been diluted with twice the label recommendation of water, matters should improve, this is the only time you should not "obey" the directions written on the label. They are there for a purpose! Gradually increase the concentration of milk powder in the solution until it reaches full strength, by that time the lamb is a week or so old. If the lamb starts to produce yellow stools, then reduce the concentration slightly for a day or so and gradually bring it back up.
There are ewes that after having lambed either have insufficient milk, or the milk just dries up which occurs before the lamb is 3 or 4 weeks old. The unfortunate lamb will most likely, loose weight and there is the danger if it is not a resourceful lamb, starve to death. The more smart lamb will try and sneak feeds from other inattentive ewes. When this is the case the lamb will sneak up behind a ewe just after grain is fed, knowing that the ewe's attention is focused on the grain and she is competing for her share, or when she is munching away with her head in the feeder. As the lambs grow older, the majority of ewes become less protective of their lambs, and the unfortunate lamb seems to recognize this and will also sneak up from behind and nurse between her legs.
Feeding lambs born to a ewe with multiple births:
There are several breeds that give birth to what is termed "litters" that is multiple lambs such as the Finnsheep breed. (Also, if you happen to have a large flock, the chance is that you may have several orphans from a single birthing ewe). Some shepherds reduce their work load by installing "cafeteria -style" feeders. There are several companies that manufacture these feeders. Should you decide to use this system, the lambs will need to be taught how to nurse from a bottle of warmed milk replacer, then changed to the milk-feeder.
This system allows the lambs to have constant access to milk, "the milk bar" is open for business as and when they want it. The milk formula is usually fed cold to reduce the chance of overeating and also to reduce bacterial contamination when it happens to have been left standing all day. Needless to say, the milk feeder must be cleaned, disinfected and supplied with fresh milk on a daily basis.
CARE OF BABY LAMBS
The time is soon coming when you should do certain things to promote the well being of your youngsters such as vaccination, docking and castration.
Vaccination:
If pneumonia is a problem, you will have had your newborn lambs vaccinated with an intranasal vaccination, even though the lamb will have had some degree of immunity passed on to it through its
There are ewes that after having lambed either have insufficient milk, or the milk just dries up which occurs before the lamb is 3 or 4 weeks old. The unfortunate lamb will most likely, loose weight and there is the danger if it is not a resourceful lamb, starve to death. The more smart lamb will try and sneak feeds from other inattentive ewes. When this is the case the lamb will sneak up behind a ewe just after grain is fed, knowing that the ewe's attention is focused on the grain and she is competing for her share, or when she is munching away with her head in the feeder. As the lambs grow older, the majority of ewes become less protective of their lambs, and the unfortunate lamb seems to recognize this and will also sneak up from behind and nurse between her legs.
Feeding lambs born to a ewe with multiple births:
There are several breeds that give birth to what is termed "litters" that is multiple lambs such as the Finnsheep breed. (Also, if you happen to have a large flock, the chance is that you may have several orphans from a single birthing ewe). Some shepherds reduce their work load by installing "cafeteria -style" feeders. There are several companies that manufacture these feeders. Should you decide to use this system, the lambs will need to be taught how to nurse from a bottle of warmed milk replacer, then changed to the milk-feeder.
This system allows the lambs to have constant access to milk, "the milk bar" is open for business as and when they want it. The milk formula is usually fed cold to reduce the chance of overeating and also to reduce bacterial contamination when it happens to have been left standing all day. Needless to say, the milk feeder must be cleaned, disinfected and supplied with fresh milk on a daily basis.
CARE OF BABY LAMBS
The time is soon coming when you should do certain things to promote the well being of your youngsters such as vaccination, docking and castration.
Vaccination:
If pneumonia is a problem, you will have had your newborn lambs vaccinated with an intranasal vaccination, even though the lamb will have had some degree of immunity passed on to it through its