The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: benkt on March 28, 2014, 09:46:51 am

Title: First lambs
Post by: benkt on March 28, 2014, 09:46:51 am

So, I've finally entered the world of sheep keeping, so I might have quite a lot of stupid questions to ask over the next few months.   :sheep: :excited:


We picked up a couple of week old cade lambs yesterday. The plan is to slowly move them onto goats milk from the lamlac and raise them through to slaughter in the autumn when we can take stock and see how we feel about getting a more permanent flock established. We're also hoping to pick up some more cades so if anyone has some in the Cambridge area then please let me know!


First stupid question is: how quickly or slowly to introduce the goats milk? Is it ok to mix with lamlac at first and slowly increase the ratio?


Thanks,
Ben

Title: Re: First lambs
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 28, 2014, 10:39:07 am

I haven't reared lambs on goats' milk but I have on Jersey milk, and I'd do exactly as you suggest, mix it with the lamblac in increasing proportions over a few days.  Watch out for any scours etc.

Oh, I think I would keep them on 100% lamblac for a few days while they settle in, then start to introduce the goats' milk.

Title: Re: First lambs
Post by: Dogwalker on March 28, 2014, 01:14:20 pm

I raised some on a mixture last year.
Switching from lamlac to goats was no problem the other way was with one lamb that wouldn't tolerate lamlac and had to go back to just goats.  Most had a half and half mix till weaning.
I just mixed in an ounce of goats and increased gradually each day.

Title: Re: First lambs
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 28, 2014, 01:16:40 pm

Quote from: Dogwalker on March 28, 2014, 01:14:20 pm

Switching from lamlac to goats was no problem the other way was with one lamb that wouldn't tolerate lamlac and had to go back to just goats.  Most had a half and half mix till weaning.

This isn't relevant to benkt, but I have found that if I have a lamb on pure Jersey milk, they sometimes really struggle to switch back to ewe's milk if an adoptive mother comes along.  So now I keep them on half-and-half until they are past the point where they may get fostered.

Title: Re: First lambs
Post by: sarahdean_66 on March 28, 2014, 01:30:33 pm

I'm in Cambridge also neat st neots so hi! If I can help let me know! Also I know ppl who have lambs on lamlac and goats milk n swap basically without a problem but General advice is over a few days! I'm interested in goats milk where r u n do u sell?

Title: Re: First lambs
Post by: benkt on March 28, 2014, 11:54:53 pm

We're just north of Cambridge, outside Willingham: http://www.hempsalsfarm.com (http://www.hempsalsfarm.com) Not got a lot of goats' milk at the moment but kids due in May so production should pick up after that!
Also had our first experience of sheep's death wishes. One of our little lambs has joint ill and is on ABs and something or other for his mild fever. He's still feeding well and lively enough so fingers crossed.