The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Newtosheep on February 08, 2020, 01:05:05 am

Title: 2 week old pet lamb won't suck a bottle
Post by: Newtosheep on February 08, 2020, 01:05:05 am

Hi, I'm looking for advice on a almost 2 week old lamb, he was on the ewe for 11 days but for the last couple I have been bottle feeding her.

She won't suck for me very well, is there any thing I can do to get her to suck better for me,

Also she seems to be straining to go for a poo, but in her pen there is plenty of poo, so I'm not sure if she is constipated or not.

Thanks for any help  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: 2 week old pet lamb won't suck a bottle
Post by: SallyintNorth on February 12, 2020, 04:41:08 pm

On bottle feeding, a lamb which has learnt to suck on a ewe will need your bottle-feeding technique to be spot on.  Try to put the bottle and teat at exactly the height and angle the mother's teat would be.

Maybe try different teats and flow rates too. 

The lamb may not take well to being constrained while you try to feed it, very hard I know when it isn't feeding voluntarily!  I tend to position older lambs facing forwards, with their body between my calves, gripping lightly, and the head in front, then lean over bringing the teat towards them from the front.  Sometimes sitting down and laying them across your lap with the back legs hanging down works better - but make sure you get that tilt (just above horizontal but not too near vertical) of the head.

They can take a while to adapt, just keep offering several times a day and don't get into a fight about it.  They nearly always come round ;)

Quote from: Newtosheep on February 08, 2020, 01:05:05 am

Also she seems to be straining to go for a poo, but in her pen there is plenty of poo, so I'm not sure if she is constipated or not.

Check her openings.  Some lambs are born with a blind anus, an anus opening into the vulva, or other strange arrangements.  Is she definitely managing to pee? 

Title: Re: 2 week old pet lamb won't suck a bottle
Post by: shep53 on February 12, 2020, 06:37:19 pm

TIME & PATIENCE  what ever you can get her to take then stop and try again in  few hours , it is a very common dilemma . The poo could be lack of fluid intake ( if fairly dry looking ) or coccidiosis ( if  grey /black and slightly loose ) often  a lamb strains and  even bleats when pooing . Has she got access to lamb pellets and water ?

Title: Re: 2 week old pet lamb won't suck a bottle
Post by: Newtosheep on February 13, 2020, 02:51:23 am

Thanks for the information, she is sucking fairly good now  :sheep: