Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
SUGGESTED FEEDING SCHEDULE
FOR AN ORPHAN
AGE
AMOUNT
1-2 days
2-3 ounces (59-89 mL), six times a day, with colostrum
3-4 days
3-5 ounces (89-148 mL), six times a day (gradually changing over to
lamb milk replacer)
5-14 days
4-6 ounces (118-177 mL), four times a day, and start with leafy alfalfa
and crushed grain or pelleted creep feed
15-21 days
6-8 ounces (177-237 mL), four times a day, along with grain and hay
22-35 days
Slowly change to 1 pint (0.5 L), three times a day; after the lamb is
3 months old, feed whole grain and alfalfa or pelleted alfalfa containing
25 percent grain, but change rations very gradually
sixth sense. When you are feeding bummers, common sense and observation
are your best allies.
The true bummer is a lamb whose mother either dries up or doesn't have
enough milk and the lamb is forced to sneak or “bum” off other ewes. If this
occurs before the lamb is 3 to 4 weeks of age, the lamb may lose weight,
become skinny, or even starve. If the lamb is big enough or smart enough, it
will fi gure out how to bum from the other ewes in the fl ock without getting
caught. It usually sneaks up behind a ewe just after grain is fed when the
ewe's attention is focused on competing for her share or when her head is
thrust into the hay feeder. Most ewes become less protective of their lambs
and hence less particular about who may be nursing as the lambs get older.
Bummer lambs seem to seek out these ewes and can often be seen nursing
from behind, between the legs.
Orphan Feeding, Cafeteria-Style
If you raise Finnsheep or another breed that gives birth to litters, or if you
have a fl ock that's large enough to have quite a few orphans, you might want
to look into cafeteria-style feeders. There are several commercially made,
multiple-nipple cafeteria feeders available; you can order them through sheep
suppliers or farm stores. The lambs should be taught to nurse from a bottle on
warmed milk replacer, then changed to the milk feeder.
With this system the lambs have constant access to milk, and they can
suck it out of the feeder as they want it. The milk formula is usually fed cold to
reduce the chance of overeating and to reduce bacterial contamination when
it is left standing all day. The milk feeder should be cleaned, disinfected, and
