Author Topic: Ad lib milk feeders (Read 6159 times)

twizzel · « **on:** January 27, 2013, 08:16:38 pm »

Anyone got any recommendations? Looking at the shepherdess one in particular. Can you use any milk replacer with it i.e. can I use volac lamlac on the shepherdess? Thinking about investing in one for our orphans. How do you regulate how much they drink, with only 2 teats how can you ensure everyone gets their fair share? (we have 3 at the moment and 1 is not such a vigorous drinker as the other 2 and takes a bit of persuasion.

Is it worth doing? Thinking it may help with reducing labour especially as I will start getting busy with my business come March/April plus I like the idea of them having it ad lib through the night, much more natural. Any recommendations or opinions welcome!

hexhammeasure · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2013, 08:23:25 pm »

we use the shepherdess with heater, it works well but it MUST be thoroughly cleaned out each day otherwise the milk goes off very quickly. ours was a twin set up but we just drilled two new holes in the lid and added 2 more tubes and teats in theory if you put it somewhere that lambs could get all around it you could have 8 or 12 teats . I would recommend keeping the bucket topped up to stop guzzlers blowing themselves up. if they get hungry they can have a tendency to overdo the next feed

twizzel · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2013, 09:23:35 pm »

Do you end up using more milk? How do you wean them, do you reduce the amount of milk you put in the feeder and increase the creep in their pen? We had 6 on bottles last year and reduced feeds by 1 bottle per week then cut out milk after 6 wks, with them being ad lib would they be able to weaned earlier?

hexhammeasure · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2013, 09:33:11 pm »

we keep feeding them until they milk powder runs out. we usually go through 2X20kg bags for 6-10 lambs by then they are on cold milk with creep feed and hay and (hopefully) grass. I don't believe in saving an opened bag til the next year

supplies for smallholders · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2013, 10:30:56 pm »

The two teats can feed upto 15 lambs - as they feed when they want - no need to really add more

You can use with SCA or Volac or any other milk powder - as long as you make sure you mix it lump free.

hexhammeasure · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2013, 11:33:26 pm »

sorry SfS, I don't agree with feeding up to 15 lambs off two feeders, too much competition, I know in theory everything should be calm and each lamb will queue to get milk but weaker smaller lambs will get knocked off just because they are sucking and the other lambs want to play the same game. we now split the pens up so bigger older lambs are one side and younger weaker lambs on the other with two teats either side

Padge · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2013, 09:36:58 am »

We have a Shepherdess, although we have never used it I was under the impresion that the powder used had to be suitable for long term once mixed because the water/powder could seperate leaving a sludge in the bottom ? or are they all suitable now because of this reason ?

Foobar · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2013, 11:06:25 am »

They will drink more on an ad-lib feeder, but then you weight that up against the cost of your time, and I think they do better ad-lib too. Volac have some info on feeders here: http://www.volac.com/media/uploads/Lambing%20Guide%202012.pdf

twizzel · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2013, 06:38:14 pm »

Thanks all! We bought one today, set it up this afternoon and I think it's a success. 2 out of 3 of the lambs had a good feed on it and have been coming back to it all afternoon. I filled it with 2 litres for 3 lambs and they have had about 1.5 litres since we set it up but I think once they realise it is always there they may not drink so often!

One question- 1 ram lamb is slightly behind the other 2 in terms of weight, he was quite thin when we got him. He doesn't seem as interested in the shepherdess- so would you continue feeding him by the bottle (albeit not quite so often) or just leave him to suss the job out with the shepherdess?

supplies for smallholders · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2013, 08:56:52 pm »

Try to lead it to the teat - it will soon get the hang of it.

May I ask how much you paid and from where? - send me a pm if you like - always interested in seeing where the competition is.

twizzel · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:03:30 pm »

Thanks, just got him to suck and he didn't let go for a good 5 minutes, must have been hungry. The little ewe lamb seems to always have a round belly but I'm hoping once she realises there's always milk there she might calm down a bit!

I'll pm you now