The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: novicesmallholder on April 03, 2012, 05:37:56 pm

Title: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: novicesmallholder on April 03, 2012, 05:37:56 pm

Hi,

first time lambers - have 3 bottle fed lambs - twins at 12 weeks and single at 8 weeks. When do you stop bottle feeding and let them just eat grass and creep feed? Lambs are definitely not undernourished!!

When you stop - do you stop immediately or run down the amounts?

Also what else have I forgotten to do re vaccinations, feet trimming etc.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Mark

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 03, 2012, 06:57:12 pm

I check hooves for the first time at 6 weeks. Vaccinate  with HeptavacP at just after 4 weeks. I was advised to stop bottle feeding at 6 weeks but don't intend to follow that I don't think. Last year I think (bad memory I have) we stopped at 9 or 10 weeks? I remember going down to one bottle a day once the lambs were eating creep and grass well we stopped. Last years lambs though were really runty and I think needed a bit longer.

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: jaykay on April 03, 2012, 08:00:29 pm

Space out the feeds til it's 3 times, then 2 times, then once a day. Going from 3 to 2, I feed the same amount over the day but split into two, going from two to one, I feed 3/4. Then I gradually reduce the amount in the one feed.

Plums is right about the Heptavac P, at about 6 weeks and again a fortnight later.

Depends what the weather is like by you, no chance of flies in the wind and snow here but if there were, I'd Crovect them too - weigh one so you get the dosage right.

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 03, 2012, 08:16:15 pm

With fit and healthy lambs Jaykay, how long would you feed up till? I was thinking of knocking these down to one bottle a day at 6 weeks and stopping around 8 do you think that's ok?

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: jaykay on April 03, 2012, 08:27:05 pm

I think you can wean at 8 weeks - I tend to go a bit longer but truthfully they're not getting much milk by then, just a bit of fuss really  :)

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 03, 2012, 08:29:30 pm

Thank you Jaykay - will see how we go (and how much lamlac is left!)

Title: Re: When to stop bottle feeding/what else have I forgot to do?
Post by: Anke on April 03, 2012, 09:35:38 pm

If you have got the chance to weigh them, wean by weight rather than just age. So if one is definitely smaller then the rest, say it was a triplet and the others were not, then you may want to feed it a bit longer.

Mine in the field (on the ewes) usually wouldn't get weaned until 3 to 4 months old..., but they are not on any kind of concentrate.