The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: velcro on April 22, 2009, 10:17:09 pm
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Hi All,
I posted before about feeding my hand reared lamb and hope for help again.
She is now just over 3 weeks old and until the last few days everything was fine but now she just does'nt want her bottle. I really have to make her take it.
She is not thin, is grazing a little, has access to water and hay and creep feed.
I've checked her temp and it is around 39.4 c - 39.6c.
Tried putting a bit of honey on the teat and in the milk but it does'nt help.
Stools are a bit loose but not scouring.
Same powdered milk I've used all along so thats not different.
Advice please, thanks ! :sheep:
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Hi, try putting some cold mixed milk in a bowl (it doesn't go off so quickly if cold mixed) and see if the lamb takes this. Is she hungry, try leaving it for a longer time between feeds. If scours persist, dilute the milk or stop for a day or so and give dry hay etc to stiffen her up so to speak.
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Do not panic.....and if she is eating and drinking water....do not worry! Give 250mls 3 times a day only and so long as everything else is ok don't worry if she dosent finish it. Do not force feed!!
You may be feeding too much....what were you feeding?
I would expect to wean at 6 weeks ish