The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: danconfessed on April 01, 2015, 03:53:26 pm

Title: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 01, 2015, 03:53:26 pm

Hi all,

First time lambing and having a bit of a rough time.  I only have 5 easy cares put with a Wiltshire Horn ram.
First had Twin Lamb disease, leading to her aborting them and eventually the vet putting her to sleep.

Then a lamb that wouldnt feed on mum, but after perserverance now seems to be ok.

Today I had a ewe giver birth to twins for her to reject one of them.  I have held the ewe still 4/5 times to make sure he takes the colostrum.  I also have lamb Colostrum replacement to top him up with this afternoon.

How often and how much should I be feeding him.  Lots of researching online comes up with 140ml every 4 hours for the first two days. then increase to 200mm eventually 500ml by two weeks. 

I have also read a few times about over eating injection being required.  can anyone shed light on this. 

Thank you all for any replies

A nervous first timer
Dan

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 05:26:44 pm

Yes that's about what we do

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 05:30:21 pm

The over eating, entrotoxaemia, pulpy kidney. Heptavac or other equivalent s available will cover that.   But he will not be able to be vacc ed til 3 to 4 weeks of age, this is when they re becoming ruminant.   

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 01, 2015, 08:03:56 pm

Thanks for the reply. Only problem is he seems to be getting hungry every hour! Do you make them wait till 4 hours ?

Also where does everybody keep them? Mine is currently in a box in the front room making a lot of noise and mess! ITs too cold to leave him in the barn on his own

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 08:28:41 pm

I've tied several dog cages together and bedded with straw, but at the moment they're all reclined on a big blanket after they're tea. 

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 08:30:51 pm

Sorry I ve got to do several posts as iPad playing up.  We keep ours in house til they're nicely covered and neck   Fold is filled, that little wrinkle down they're front from throat to chest.  Then they go into shed, of course fox proof. 

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Foobar on April 02, 2015, 02:13:49 pm

Dan, Volac have a handy Lambing Advice document on their website (http://www.volac.com/resources (http://www.volac.com/resources)) which details how much colostrum and milk lambs need depending on weight and age.

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 02, 2015, 11:09:59 pm

Just be aware that different products have different recommended quantities.  Some are a total of 1L per day, some 1.5L per day.  So make sure you are following the feeding guidelines for the product you are using ;)

The danger with overfeeding at one feed is that the milk overflows the stomach that can deal with it (the abomasum), and then causes problems when it gets into another stomach (the rumen) where it cannot be digested.

So at any stage, each feed needs to be not larger than the capacity of the abomasum. 

jaykay explained it all really well in this post (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=44735.msg418032#msg418032) and I have paraphrased a bit of that here.

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 07, 2015, 10:18:04 am

Thank you all for your advice, much appreciated.  Minty seems to be doing really well on the Lamlac.  I have offered hay and creep feed but he doesnt seem interested just yet.

At the moment we have been putting him in the polytunnel during the day and then he comes into a warm house of a night.  As he is the only orphan, what age can i start leaving him out overnight?  As he doesnt have anything warm to cuddle up to im worried he will get too cold.   We had a thick frost in our area last night.

Ps. he also seems a bit scoury (not sure thats even a word)  Is that because of the lamlac?

Thanks

Dan

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Herdygirl on April 07, 2015, 12:00:29 pm

warm straw, a teddy and a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel works well. make the lamlac a bit more diluted, its a bit rich for some lambs.

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 07, 2015, 08:09:14 pm

So do you think he is old
Enough to stay out in the polytunnel tonight? His a week old tomorrow and it seems a bit warmer tonight?

Thanks

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Hellybee on April 08, 2015, 07:49:18 am

Personally, I'd not be putting him out with out a companion, unless he s got another sheep close by.  Don't like em  being on they're own  :hug:  X

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 08, 2015, 02:53:02 pm

Problem is Hellybee i have finished lambing and his my only Orphan.

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Bionic on April 08, 2015, 02:58:13 pm

I have been looking after 4 orphans for a friend. They are 3 and 4 weeks old now but I am still keeping them in overnight. They are in a stable and love to curl up in a cardboard box.
Do you have an old teddy or pillow that your orphan can curl up with?

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: moony on April 08, 2015, 07:28:06 pm

Get another orphan or two off a local farmer and they keep each other warm. Failing that I'd stick it on preloved and get rid. They never do well by themselves.

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: danconfessed on April 08, 2015, 08:02:47 pm

Bionic do you mean you're bringing them in the house over night or stable?

Title: Re: First time Lamber
Post by: Bionic on April 09, 2015, 08:10:10 am

Mine are in the stable at night.