The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: NewLifeOnTheFarm on April 25, 2019, 11:43:15 am
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Hi all, my ryeland lamb born yesterday after a difficult birth is still continuing to do well. I watched her feed once from ewe but not sure if she got anything. I managed to get 200ml off ewe today, lamb will suck bottle but then seems to tire, so I have tubed it. She's still a bit weak, so was thinking of continuing this for as long as needed. My question is, when using the ewes own milk, how much do you give? My only knowledge comes from humans, and I know the intake of formula is a good deal higher than breast milk. Don't want to overfeed, and also want to to still seek out mum.
Thanks
Charlotte
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Rule of thumb 200ml colostrum per kg of lamb weight in the first 24hrs , less if you are just topping up after suckling ,so keep going until you feel she is strong enough
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It’s little and often for newborns. 200ml is too much for one feed, you will overflow the abomasum into the other stomachs and cause digestive upset. Absolutely no more than 150ml per feed for the first 24 hours, and I would usually only give 50-100ml per feed. Less if I think it’s getting some from mum, better to give a little less than it would like than risk overfilling it. Feeds every four hours for the first 48 hours, can go down to every 6 hours after that, and can leave 8 hours overnight from about day 4 or 5.
But it’s a gazillion times better for the lamb to feed from mum, and second best to milk mum and bottle or tube the lamb.
If tubing a lamb which may be feeding from mum as well, use a gravity feed, feed a little at a time, and stop if the flow slows; the stomach is probably full. Never ever push, you really don’t want the stomach to overflow.
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Thank you. I should clarify that I didn't give the 200ml in one go, but in 2 separate feeds. Worded that badly.
Fingers crossed she starts taking more from mum soon. Her tongue was so swollen at birth I'm amazed she has any suck at all.
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Rule of thumb is 50ml per kg of colostrum for first feed if you have to tube