I have a chance to get some bummer lambs , what should I do ? Whats worked for you ?How often did you feed them?Any other shots other than iron ?

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@themail.com), March 10, 2000

Answers

Hi Patty,

We are raising our first bottle lamb, although we have had sheep for years. One of our ewes had triplets, and although she raised 3 with no problems last year one just wouldn't nurse this year. We just got some ewe replacement at the feed store and followed the directions on it. I believe we fed 4 times a day at first and then after they were 2 weeks old we moved to 3 times a week. The ewe replacer had explicit directions and I suppose it may vary depending on brand.

We honestly don't give our lambs any shots at all. Most people suggest a shot for overeating but we don't do it. Bummer lambs are a lot of work but I think they are worth it. You will end up with very friendly sheep in the end, which is always nice.

Good luck! Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), March 11, 2000.

Patty, try to get them as young as you can. Do you keep extra goat colostrum? That is how we raise any young stock (we are the ones the game wardens call when there is a young deer found in the woods) we raise these babies on colostrum, trying to get at least 16 ounces down them. We then use our goats milk, which I will supplement with Purina Kid Goat milk replacer (the only one we use). 3 bottles, 16 ounces 3 times a day. Use your goat knowledge, and get Pipestones Catalog pipevet.com.. Don't forget to immediatly start using a cocidia prevention the day you get them, Corid or something, syringe in mouth don't put in bottle, to make sure they get it all. (Worming too! These guys are going to be severly stressed). I am a firm believer in vacinating, it is just too inexpensive to not use this prevention, especially Tetanus..Good luck, Vicki McGaugh

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 11, 2000.

Patty: We bottle fed three last year, and the one ram is now a holy terror! He is huge, and a terrible baby. The ewe is fine, seems normal, but he thinks he is a lapdog, but one that butts if he doesn't get his own way. Wants to be petted all the time, stand up on the fence and crys like a baby if he is left alone without the other sheep. Maybe just his personality, I don't know. When the two ewes went inside their barn durinig a hail storm recently, he stayed outside in his pen and paced back and forth, crying. I feel bad for him, but don't think he will get any better. We were told to use only Land of Lakes milk replacer for lambs, by the breeder, but I think that it is just a personal preference. I keep colostrum powder and the milk replacer powder in the freezer "just in case". Had two little twin lambs last night, and am supplementing one a little as the mom didn't clean her off well, and that one doesn't seem as aggressive when it comes to eating. Good luck with yours, they are fun! Jan

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), March 11, 2000.