Things You'll Need
- Colostrum
- Scale
- Milk replacer
- Baby bottle
- Starter feed
Instructions
First 24 Hours
Obtain colostrum. If possible, milk the ewe who birthed the lamb. Otherwise, purchase a colostrum substitute at your local feed store.
Weigh the lamb. This will determine the amount of colostrum it needs.
Measure out 3 oz. of colostrum for each pound of the lamb's weight and put it in a baby bottle.
Warm the bottle of colostrum to room temperature if necessary. To do this, set it in a bowl of warm water -- do not put it in a microwave. If it is heated too much it will kill the antibodies in the colostrum that the lamb needs.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 at least every three hours for the first 24 hours of the lamb's life.
After the First 24 Hours
Mix 8 oz. of milk replacer in a bottle according to the directions on the package.
Feed the lamb four times a day.
Increase feeding amount to 12 oz. and feed three times a day when the lamb is 10 days old. Begin supplementing feedings with a starter feed and hay.
Feed twice a day at 3 weeks old with 16-oz. portions. Continue with starter feed and hay.
Wean lambs at 6 weeks, unless the lamb weighs less than 20 lbs. If it weighs less, continue to use the milk replacer until the lamb is the proper weight to be weaned.