The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: ThomasR on April 06, 2018, 10:41:27 pm
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Hi there
We have pet lambs this year for the first time in 2 years and I can't remember how long it is reasonable to leave them over night between feeds when using the bottle.
The lambs are 2 week old zwartbles and are really very large and are nibbling at creep feed.
Cheers
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At two weeks old, I'd be doing them late before bed (11pm) and first thing in the morning (6am). However, that's as much because it fits around my routine as anything else. They certainly shouldn't still be needing a 3am shift!
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Thanks
How much would you expect them to take in a day?
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Should be around a litre per day but it will have all the right feeding amounts and weaning info on the milk powder bag. At 2 weeks old they would be on 4 x 250ml feeds per day with me.
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Thanks
How much would you expect them to take in a day?
Whatever it says on the packet you use. Some are 1L per day and some 1.5L. But some lambs have less of an appetite than others, so I never give them more than the packet says, but if they're taking less, I don't worry provided they're happy, healthy, growing and well-fleshed.
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My lambs get 4, 350ml feeds a day at 7am, 12pm, 4pm and at 8pm. I've done like that for years and they've always done well
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You could always try the cold adlib bucket. I am using it for the first year instead of bottles and am well taken with it. Saves loads of time, supposedly better for them, no concerns of under/overfeeding or what time. I’m a convert after reading the recent comments here.