When can you feed lamb milk replacer
- Lambs can begin being fed milk replacer at around a day old. Newborn lambs should always receive colostrum as soon as possible after birth, preferably within the first 6 hours of life. This should be continued for the first 24 hours.
- The newborn lamb should receive a minimum of 210ml/kg bodyweight of colostrum within the first 24 hours (e.g. a 4kg lamb should receive 840ml).
How should I rear my surplus or orphan lambs?
There are many different methods for rearing surplus or orphan lambs; with pros and cons to each. The method chosen will depend on the number of lambs being reared, and facilities available.
How much lamb milk replacer to feed?
Concentration: 200g of Lamlac + 800ml water = 1L of milk*
*Do not add 200g to a full litre of water as this will create 1.2 Litres overall, which will dilute the concentration, the total volume of powder and water together should total a litre.
- Day 1-3: 1 litre split into 4-5 feeds
- Day 4-7: 1 litre split into 4 feeds
- Day 7 to weaning: 1.5 litres split into 4 feeds initially, reducing to two feeds until weaning.
How do I mix the lamb milk replacer correctly?
- Use scales to accurately measure out the correct amount of milk powder.
- Add half the water (below 45°C) and add all the powder.
- Whisk until smooth. Top up with water until you reach the desired volume.
- Whisk again.
What temperature should I mix and feed lamb milk replacer at?
Water used to mix milk replacer should always be below 45°C - otherwise you will damage the milk proteins which are essential to Lamb performance.
- Bottle Feeding - Mix and Feed at 39°C.
- Adlib feeding and automatic feeders - Initially Train lambs at 39°C and once trained, feed at 20°C; as this will help prevent over consumption.
- If feeding cold: mix and feed cold. Do not mix warm and allow to cool as this will encourage lambs to gorge whilst the milk is still warm.
Do I need to feed anything else alongside lamb milk replacer?
Yes, lambs should have access to fresh water, straw in racks, and a top quality creep feed at all times. Refreshing creep feed at least once a day will encourage intake.
General Feeding recommendations for lamb milk replacer
- Always follow the feeding instructions on the bag.
- If lambs are weak and unable to suck, they should be fed colostrum and/or a lamb milk replacer using a tube feeder.
- Do not increase recommended volumes as lambs are susceptible to bloating and/or scouring from overfeeding.
- If feeding adlib, do not dilute the concentration, as this will cause lambs to drink more and increase urination!
- If feeding adlib, do not let the powder run out, as this will cause lambs to gorge when it is refilled.
- When bottle feeding, check the hole in the teat is not too big as this can also cause bloating.*Tip the bottle upside down. If the milk is free flowing from the teat the hole is too big.*
- Clean ALL feeding utensils and equipment after each feeding: rinse in lukewarm water, wash with a detergent in hot water, rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
