Author Topic: Newborn lamb (Read 3120 times)

Penninehillbilly · « **on:** March 31, 2017, 12:50:25 am »

I've been given a lamb, this morning, umbical cord looked fresh.
Not sure if she'd had colostrum, so gave her 50ml goats colostrum, then later about 70ml, which was all I had, no vehicle to go and get anything. Would this amount help at all ?
She is about 3kg, after the colostrum, she's been on goats milk, 100ml every 2-3 hours, I'm about to mix some Lamlac and give her 150ml of Lamlac and goats milk. (When feeding goat kids I find there are less problems giving the combined milk). Never had to rely on bottle feeding one so young before.
Reading some goat advice it says 4oz milk to 5lb body weight. Is this OK?
Amazed OH not objected to her being in the kitchen ;-).

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2017, 01:49:16 am »

Yes the colostrum will have helped. First feed 50ml minimum of sheep's colostrum is my benchmark, although I'm happier if they get 150ml. After that, more colostrum is less urgent. I've reared many, many pet lambs with just one feed of colostrum.

I've never fed goats milk so can't comment on quantities thereof, but feeding sheep's milk to a commercial lamb I'll offer 150-200ml per feed for the first day or two, going up to 250ml per feed (if they want it) after that. I usually try to give them 6 feeds in the first 24 hours, then 4 a day after that. My smaller, primitive type lambs do have slightly smaller appetites - but not much!

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Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:06:03 am »

Thanks Sally, i think this is a little welshy sort, just given it a last feed for the night, 150ml mixed, it's been wandering round kitchen, while cat (OH) is away, we play :-).

Dogwalker · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2017, 06:34:46 am »

I've raised lambs on just goats milk and found they need about 1.5l total after the first week, usually go by what they're happy taking. They do very well on it.
If I were you I wouldn't keep it in the kitchen too long, it'll be enough of a pest without thinking it's a house sheep

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2017, 10:46:36 am »

Quote from: Dogwalker on March 31, 2017, 06:34:46 am

I've raised lambs on just goats milk and found they need about 1.5l total after the first week, usually go by what they're happy taking. They do very well on it.
If I were you I wouldn't keep it in the kitchen too long, it'll be enough of a pest without thinking it's a house sheep

She's cute tho

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Probably keep her in about a week? Will she be able to keep her temperature out in the barn?
Little Jack Russell was cleaning it's back end, any problem with that? I was mixing the milk when I saw him, then decided he was doing the job I didn't like.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2017, 10:52:19 am »

Welsh sheep are as tough as old boots so she'll probably be fine in a barn. Give her a well-bedded corner with something like a straw bale to lie down behind out of the breeze. Make sure she has a shallow container of water available at all times. You could start feeding her creep at the end of the first week.

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2017, 12:33:22 am »

She's currently laid in front of rayburn like a dog

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I think I overfed her this morning, was worried when she didn't want a bottle this afternoon, but she's been taking milk again tonight.

Anke · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2017, 12:23:29 pm »

Unless there are other sheep in the barn with her I wouldn't leave a newborn lamb in its own in a shed - badgers/foxes may just be on the lookout for an easy dinner... I usually have lambs out on the lawn during the day in my children's (now outgrown...) playpen and in a dog crate in the house at night.