The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Nene on November 19, 2015, 11:13:37 am

Title: Orphaned lamb
Post by: Nene on November 19, 2015, 11:13:37 am

Hi, hoping someone can help with info about weaning an orphaned 53 day old lamb. Mum was killed by snakebite tonight, lamb is understandably distressed,  but eating grass and grain well, and drinking water. Can i wean now or do i ned to start bottle feeding? This lamb has not previously been handled, flighty and really hard to catch

Title: Re: Orphaned lamb
Post by: SallyintNorth on November 19, 2015, 03:31:53 pm

Sorry to hear about the ewe  :bouquet:

7-and-a-half weeks, and eating grass and grain?  I'd wean.  I usually wean my pet lambs at 6-8 weeks anyway.  And s/he'll be less stressed left with the other sheep it knows than being caught and manhandled for feeding.

Title: Re: Orphaned lamb
Post by: Hellybee on November 19, 2015, 05:01:21 pm

I agree and get her a companion

Title: Re: Orphaned lamb
Post by: Nene on November 19, 2015, 06:42:39 pm

Thanks, I  thought so, I have another bottle lamb nearly the same age, given her some molasses water and doing well so far. Thankyou

Title: Re: Orphaned lamb
Post by: Marches Farmer on November 22, 2015, 05:39:52 pm

Really hard to get a naturally suckled lamb to take to the bottle at that age.  You end up wearing far more milk than the lamb swallows.