You may need to bottle feed a lamb sometimes if you have orphaned lambs, if it\u2019s mother dies in birth or if it\u2019s mother rejects the baby for any reason.\u00a0For ensuring the lamb survives, you must have to begin bottle feeding it as soon as possible. As you know, a lamb\u2019s primary source of nutrition is milk.<\/p>\n
And a hand-raised or bottle-feed lamb must be fed milk from a bottle. By the way, there are some rules that you need to follow to bottle feed a lamb. Here we are describing more about the steps of bottle feeding a lamb.<\/p>\n
How to Bottle Feed a Lamb
\nIt\u2019s a good decision to consult with a vet before starting to bottle feed a lamb. An experienced vet can tell you exactly what the lamb needs and he\/she will also tell you about it\u2019s caring procedures.\u00a0You will probably need to obtain colostrum replacer to bottle feed a lamb. Colostrum is actually the first type of milk a ewe produces after giving birth and it\u2019s vital to the health and well-being of a lamb.<\/p>\n
Colostrum is also very important because it contains high levels of nutrients and it also protects against a variety of infectious agents.\u00a0Lambs need colostrum because they do not carry antibodies at birth. And colostrum help them to develop antibodies and combat potential infections.\u00a0A lamb generally require around 10 percent of colostrum after birth (during the first 24 hours of life).<\/p>\n
You need to purchase colostrum replacer as soon as possible if the lamb has been rejected by it\u2019s mother or abandoned.<\/p>\n
By the way, it\u2019s a good idea to have colostrum replacer on hand at all times if you raise lambs.\u00a0But in case you need to bottle feed a lamb over 10-13 weeks of age, you will need milk replacer.<\/p>\n
You can easily purchase both colostrum and milk replacer any store that sell livestock feed.\u00a0When buying milk replacer, you have to ensure that it is specifically prepared for lambs.<\/p>\n
Whether you are going to bottle feed a lamb colostrum replacer or milk replacer, you will need to prepare the bottle first.\u00a0You can easily fed a lamb with an 8 ounce baby bottle with a rubber nipple.<\/p>\n
In case of feeding colostrum replacer, fill the bottle with 10 percent of the lamb\u2019s weight in colostrum and feed this to the lamb within it\u2019s first 24 hours.\u00a0And during it\u2019s first 24 hours, it will be better if you can feed the lamb every two hours.\u00a0But you can use your own formula in case of bottle feeding the lamb with milk replacer.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget to sterilize the bottles and nipples on a regular basis. However, read more information below about \u2018how to bottle feed a lamb\u2019.<\/p>\n
First of all, you have to form a feeding schedule depending on the age and size of your lamb. And you should always follow the schedule for feeding your lamb.\u00a0The lamb should receive colostrum for the first 24 hours of it\u2019s life. And it will be better if you can feed the lamb every two hours during this first stage of life.<\/p>\n
After the first stage the lamb should be fed around 140 ml every four hours, then around 200 ml every 6 hours (this can vary depending on the size of lamb and breed).\u00a0You can gradually begin increasing the amount of milk you feed your lamb, once 2 weeks passed (heat the milk replacer first).<\/p>\n
Feeding the Lamb
\nYou can feed your lamb once you have the milk measured and prepared. To bottle feed a lamb, hold it\u2019s head up (allowing it to stand) and let it feed.\u00a0The lambs should be feed standing up. While feeding, do not cuddle or hold the lamb, because this could result in a clot in it\u2019s lung.\u00a0Generally the lamb will suckle instinctively. But in case if the lamb is not suckling, pressing the bottle\u2019s nipple against it\u2019s lips should encourage it to feed.<\/p>\n
Offer Water & Food
\nYou should offer the lamb fresh water, grass and hay after the first week along with bottle feeding.\u00a0You should let the lamb eat and drink as it desires. And if the lamb is strong enough, then you can let it out to graze with the rest of the flock.<\/p>\n
Doing this will help the lamb to begin socializing with other sheep in the flock.<\/p>\n
Increase the Amount of Milk
\nYou should increase the amount of milk every two weeks.\u00a0For example, after second week you can feed the lamb 500 ml four times a day, and after fourth week increase the amount to 700 ml a day for three times.\u00a0But you should begin decreasing the amount of milk after it\u2019s 5-6 weeks of age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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