[epherdwicks]

I am bottle-feeding a twin lamb that was rejected by his mum (she loves his brother though) and he seems to be a bit constipated.  I am making up the milk according to the instructions, feeding him four-houirly, he has water at all times, and he is now spending the middle of the day out on the lawn.  Anything else I should be doing?
Thanks

[farmershort]

I am bottle-feeding a twin lamb that was rejected by his mum (she loves his brother though) and he seems to be a bit constipated.  I am making up the milk according to the instructions, feeding him four-houirly, he has water at all times, and he is now spending the middle of the day out on the lawn.  Anything else I should be doing?
Thanks

How old is he? Every 4 hourly is only for the first few days normally. Then it's 5 feeds then quickly 4 feeds a day until about 2 or 3 weeks, then dripping down steadily.

Everyone has different methods, but most I know only do every 4 hourly for the first day or so.

[epherdwicks]

He was born on Saturday afternoon so now 4 days old.

[Foobar]

If he is straining and nothing is coming out, try an enema of warm soapy water. Just a 10ml syringe should be enough I think ... someone else might know more than I ....

[SallyintNorth]

A spot of liquid paraffin might help.

His bum is clean?  Not caked with dung and unable to evacuate, therefore?

[crobertson]

A bit of oil in their milk helped with my orphans last year.

[Marches Farmer]

Until his body starts to break down cells and produce waste there's not really much to go into faeces at that age.  The liquid will be absorbed by the gut and the lamb won't be nibbling at hay for a few days yet.

[EP90]

I am making up the milk according to the instructions, feeding him four-houirly,

Both Lamlac and Shine advise on 3 to 4 feeds per day, not hourly.  Frequency depending on age.  Might be worth checking the instructions again.

[epherdwicks]

The lamb's digestive system seems to be working better now, but I am struggling to make him last even four hours between feeds.  As I type he is bleating furiously for his next bottle, and it is only 3 and a half hours since lunch! His intake at feeds varies but is usually about 5 fluid ounces per feed before he loses interest.

[farmershort]

The lamb's digestive system seems to be working better now, but I am struggling to make him last even four hours between feeds.  As I type he is bleating furiously for his next bottle, and it is only 3 and a half hours since lunch! His intake at feeds varies but is usually about 5 fluid ounces per feed before he loses interest.

You know that you're the boss though right? At that age, you should be on 4 feeds per day. It does matter if the lamb bleats,  as long it's not starving and going downhill. There are diseases that can kill them from over and too frequent feeding. I know nothing about redgut really, save that everything I've read online points to overfeeding with warm milk being a leading cause.