How do you care for a bummer lamb?

Answer 1

Firsly warmth is nessacery for survival as is Colostrum as it

is vital to give the lamb a

good immune system. It is best absorbed

in the first 24 hours of the lambs

life. After that it is just digested. If the

lamb does not get this it will not have

any immediate source of antibodies to

fight infection, and scours or other problems

can result.

The best source of colostrum is of course

ewe's milk direct from mum but that is not always

possible. Colostrum milked from another

freshly lambed ewe is the next best option. If

that is also not possible then fresh cow colostrum

from a cow just calved will do. If that fails

then colostrum substitutes are available but

are expensive and not as effective.

Lambs should get at least one day (500ml) of

colostrum fed in 6 to 8 feeds before milk replacer

is started but any you can get into the

lamb (even as little as 30ml) will help.

Bottle-feeding has to be learned by the lamb.

The greatest success in teaching lambs to

drink will be obtained by commencing 6 - 12

hours after the lambs have finished their colostrum

or been removed from their mum. Small

weak lambs will need feeding sooner and

more often.

To teach the lamb to drink, place the teat in its

mouth and move the jaw by hand to stimulate

sucking. If this does not work or there is a

poor suck reflex the lamb can be fed using a

stomach tube and bottle (available from clinic).

Care is required and you should discuss this

with a vet or experienced person before trying

this or drowning may result.

Do not overfeed. It is best to keep lambs a little

hungry especially in the first few days.

Overfeeding can lead to scours or milk bloat

Look at http://www.cambridgevets.co.nz/data/usr/37/ACF33BC.pdf

for more information on caring for lambs.