[Bionic]

I didn't lamb this year and am getting withdrawal symptoms 
I have been offered a couple of orphan lambs. They are a couple of weeks old and apparently taking the bottle well. If I had them how often do I need to bottle feed them (I am prepared to do night shifts so thats no problem).
If there is any other info that would be useful I would be grateful for it
thanks

[ZaktheLad]

Main thing to be aware of is that with your current flock, you wouldn't want to bring in any unwanted "nasties" via the orphan lamb route.   There is always a risk of bringing in all sorts of sheep related problems such as orf, thus risking your current clean flock status.   

[Bionic]

Main thing to be aware of is that with your current flock, you wouldn't want to bring in any unwanted "nasties" via the orphan lamb route.   There is always a risk of bringing in all sorts of sheep related problems such as orf, thus risking your current clean flock status.   

Hmmm, good point thanks. If I get them I will probably keep them in the stable fear a couple of weeks on their own, hence getting more than one, would that be good enough?

[trish.farm]

When I brought in orphans in the past (the ewes are now part of my flock!) I kept them totally separate for a few months, disinfected boots and hands after handling lambs, basically was very strict on bio security.  Never had a problem with any disease in the lambs but they had come from a welsh flock that lambed outside. 

4 feeds a day, (follow instructions on milk powder)  and no you don't need to feed them in the night!  breakfast, lunch, tea and supper!!  Good luck!! 

[sabrina]

I have raised orphan lambs a few times with no problems. I have a bucket with five teats that the milk goes into and they help themselves. I found this way they do not get so many problems and seem to do better than bottle feeding every 4hrs.  I keep mine in the stable until they are eating the lamb pellets then they go out for a few hours into a small area where I can keep an eye on them. keeping everything very clean is a must but you will know this.

[Yeoman]

Strangely enough it was the bottle washing that was the biggest chore not the regular feeding! 


Once they've got the hang of the bottle you can have all sorts of fun inventing a bottle holder for ad-lib feeding...I found the black metal part of a small domestic fire extinguisher a perfect size!



Go for it!

[SallyintNorth]

Strangely enough it was the bottle washing that was the biggest chore not the regular feeding! 

Totally agree! 

[twizzel]

Ours start off on 5 feeds a day then reduce by 1 feed/day every week older that they are. Should be getting 1-1.5litres per day on bottles. So by 3 weeks they are on 3 bottles a day, then at 4-5 weeks reduce to 2 bottles, then wean at 6 weeks. Or you could put them on a shepherdess, ours always start off on it then are taken off at 4 weeks and back on bottles to wean.

Would advise definitely putting in the freezer though as they are no fun when they are 50kg and following you around like dogs ! We did 17 last year, only got 8 this year so far but hoping to find a few more yet.

[Backinwellies]

SALLY !!    I knew you would miss the lambs as soon as you saw all the fields full     Enjoy bottle feeding ..... But I would say the biggest problem you will have is what to do with them when they grow!!!!!

[Bionic]

Yes Linda, that's definitely the problem. The guy shoved one in my arms yesterday and I wanted to take it away with me but Geoff, being more practical that I am, said what are you going to use it for?


They really should be for meat but I'm not sure I want any more lamb in the freezer and I am sure it would be more difficult if I bottle raised them. Certainly one of the two is a ram, not sure about the other, so there would be no way of me keeping them.

[Foobar]

Could you raise them to weaning just for the sheer joy(!) of it, then give them back to the farmer to finish off?  i.e. do the farmer a service.  You could have a big bunch of them

[Bionic]

Thats not a bad idea foobar. 
A friend has just sent me an email saying if I am putting them in thefreezer she would like a couple of legs.
Still pondering what to do. At this rate they will be fully grown before I decide 

[trish.farm]

just get them, you will love it!!  and you can never have too much lamb in your freezer!!! 

[Foobar]

... you can never have too much lamb in your freezer!!! 

and you can never have too many freezers!

[SallyintNorth]

Could you raise them to weaning just for the sheer joy(!) of it, then give them back to the farmer to finish off?  i.e. do the farmer a service.  You could have a big bunch of them

Can I have a neighbour like you, please? 

(We did have such a neighbour, actually, but she's getting a bit doddery for it now.)