[Whittsend]

 This is day eight of bottle rearing the little ram lamb my neighbour passed on to me.  He is taking about two pints of lamlac a day now , made up according to the instructions. Until two days ago I was feeding every four hours but have begun to lengthen the time between night feeds so that last night he did a six hour gap and took a ten ounce bottle at 1 am.  The most he has taken after 4/5 hours is 7ounces. I still have him in our utiity room but over the past three days I have taken him into the garden, and an empty paddock, several times a day to get the sun on his back and let him race around after me. I have been trying to get him to nibble at grass and hay and creep feed for the past 5 days but although he 'plays' at eating I don't believe he has actually eaten anything.
His poo has always been bright to dark orange and very very soft. not the squits but not formed and a little bit mucusy( if that's a word).  The last two days it also smells rather sour. What am I doing wrong?   Should I not have taken him out yet?  :(I am very fond of the little fellow now and desperate to give him every chance to grow up.

[ZaktheLad]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing by letting him have a run around outside - will do him the power of good and he needs the fresh air to keep him fit and healthy.  Unless he is showing signs of having the squits with it all down his back legs etc, I wouldn't be too concerned.  The bright to dark orange colour sounds normal for his age but will change once his milk intake decreases and he starts eating solid foods.  At about 12 days of age try him with a tiny amount of lamb creep if you can get your hands on some.  As the grass growth improves he will start to nibble at that too.  You sound like you are doing a fine job with him and he is lucky to have found you. I hope he continues doing well - just be careful not to overdo the milk and I think if you are able to feed him last thing at night he could go without a 1am feed and then have another bottle early next morning.  Give you a bit more sleep - unless of course you are usually around at 1am and not getting up especially to feed him.

[Whittsend]

Thanks for the encouragement ZaktheLad.  I've just got back in after turning my horse out and putting hay out for my Coloured ryelands and feeding the cat. That didn't do much to lift my spirits but your words of encouragement have. 

[FiB]

I was going to say the same, can't remember what the poo smelt like other than disgusting! By 1 week mine was living on the field with the others last year, but it was later in year and a mild week and I brought him in at the beginning if cold or wet night, until I could see he had found a snugly place usually near other lambs.  Had to bring one I last night,so will be more alert sniffing this time