How long do I bottle feed this lamb? She is eating hay (alfalfa) really well, and she grazes. I have her down to a pint twice a day of milk replacer. Should I/ do I need to give her grain? She looks very, very healthy! thanks, Sis

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 27, 2002

Answers

35 pounds and eating well. Yes some grain wouldn't hurt; if she hasn't had any yet start her off slowly with just a handful. Then drop the bottle to once a day (and half as much) and see how it goes.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 27, 2002.

I hadn't heard the weight one, mine were smaller breed of sheep so 35 lbs would have been a long time for them i think. Usually about 6 weeks if they are eating well then, as mentioned above a tiny bit of grain at a time (to get their tummys used to it) and gradually decrease the milk.

This sounds silly but make sure it is taller enough for the water trough. My water trough was fairly short but I noticed that the lambs were shorter yet, so I had to get a couple big rubber bowls at the feed store so they would be low enough for them.

Aren't they so precious though?

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), March 28, 2002.

True enough 35 pounds would be for a Dorset-Suffolk sized beast, Hamps etc. should be closer to 40 and the small breeds might get away with 30. We wean anywhere from 30-40 pounds for our dairy animals, 30-40 days old. Age is not that important, it's how well they eat solid foods, and if the solid food is high enough in protein and energy. Lambs grow the fastest from birth to 4 months if they are given the feed to do it on.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 30, 2002.

Some people just stop, I dont, I start weaning at about 5 weeks and at 8 weeks they still get that one bottle, at about 6 or 7 weeks they are at 2 10 ounce bottle, then when after the one bottle I go to a mix of water and milk replacer until they don't really come a running. I guess it is because I think of them as babies! I believe most people just abruptly stop when they're eating grain and on pasture.

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 30, 2002.