How to Care for a Baby Lamb

Caring for a Baby Lamb

• 1

  If the baby is a newborn, milk the ewe (mother) if possible to get colostrum. It is always best to get the milk directly from the ewe --- however when the ewe dies it won't be possible to get all of the milk for the lamb from her but getting a little bit of the colostrum that is present directly after birth is best if you can manage to milk some out. If you cannot get any from the mother you might be able to get some from a different new mother. You must collect colostrum in the first 24 hours after birth, so if you do not have any other ewes that have given birth in that time frame it won't be possible. It is a good idea to always collect a little bit of colostrum from ewes who have given birth so you can freeze it and keep it for emergencies. If you have not done that you can order freeze-dried colostrom ahead of time from a livestock supply house. If the new lamb was a total surprise and you have nothing on hand, contact your local large animal veterinarian to see if they have any sheep colostrum on hand, or if there are any other sheep breeders in the area that might have some. It is very important that the lamb's first feeding is of colostrum or at the very least tht they get some colostrum within 24 hours of birth. Colostrum contains antibodies that will protect the baby until it is old enough to be inoculated.

• 2

  Make sure the colostrum and subsequent milk feedings are the proper temperature. Getting a baby lamb to drink from a bottle is difficult at first but will be much easier if the liquid is the correct temperature. It should be just warm to the touch, not too hot, and not cold.

• 3

  Place the colostrum or formula in a bottle. A 16 oz. soda bottle or small dishwashing liquid bottle works well. Warm the liquid until it is warm to the touch. Place a lamb nipple on the top of the bottle.

• 4

  Sit on the floor with the lamb in your lap and pry open his mouth with your fingers. Insert the nipple and wiggle it back and forth until the lamb latches on. They can be VERY stubborn until they suddenly realize it won't hurt them, and it tastes good. After that you should have no problem getting your little lamb to take the bottle.

• 5

  Make sure your lamb is warm enough. For the first few days it may be difficult for a lamb to regulate its temperature, especially if you are keeping it in the barn and the weather is cold. A cold lamb will not eat.

• 6

  If necessary, place a heat lamp over a small box and place the lamb in the box to warm him. Also, put a lamb blanket on him to help keep him warm.

• 7

  Feed your baby lamb 2 ounces of formula every 2 hours for the first three days, 6 ounces of formula every 4 hours for the 2 weeks following, and up to 12 ounces every 6 hours for 1 to 2 weeks, and then up to 16 ounces twice a day after that until he is weaned. Begin offering fresh hay at about one week. At first they will just nibble on it but by 4 weeks old they will be eating some hay daily. Always have fresh water available for your lamb after they begin eating hay, even though they will primarily be drinking formula until weaned.

• 8

  Wean your lamb off the bottle after 14 weeks for optimum growth. If you have kept your lamb in the house do not put him outside in the barn until the weather has warmed up because your lamb will not be accustomed to the cold after living in a warm environment.