If the ram is run-down, feed him well. For the first few days after weaning, be sure to look for any signs of exceptional swelling or redness. Early weaning generally takes place when lambs are 60 days old. Finally, allow two weeks of gradual decrease in milk before fully weaned. After weaning, slowly reduce NRM Lamb Start Mix with Deccox® intake over the next 6 weeks to 85g NRM Lamb Start Mix with Deccox®/head/day. On the other hand, some producers prefer a natural weaning method where lambs stay on pasture with their mothers until they are four to six months old. Sick lamb: 2 weeks old was drinking 3 8 oz bottles of lamb milk replacer a day Was very active, running around etc. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. By the time your lamb is 13 weeks old, she should be completely free of milk and transitioned into a diet of hay, feed, grass, and water. I plan to give them their first vaccinations at 2 weeks old because of the colostrum issue and will do as suggested and do them every couple of weeks. The lamb is warm and appears healthy in all aspects (same with the lamb last year), but obviously is more of a problem than last year's lamb since the only alternative for this one is tube feeding. A lamb was killed and other sheep injured during a dog attack in North Ayrshire. Also test for E. coli. Artificially reared lambs can be weaned as … Ewes baaing, lambs crying, and shepherds wishing for quiet: will the noise never cease! Water running through a low trough or water dripping into the trough can help to start the lambs drinking and eating. A few simple steps will help these lambs, and their mothers, get through weaning with a minimum of stress. When weaning, producers should prepare the ewes several days prior to the planned weaning date. You are here » Home » The Accidental Smallholder Forum » Livestock » Sheep » Young lamb drinking water??? This greatly decreases the stress of weaning for both the ewes and lambs, but can also mean lower weight gains in lambs. © The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2021. If you are confident that mum is willingly giving sufficient milk to the lamb - and try milking some off yourself to gauge the amount of milk available and whether the ewe is uncomfortable as you do so - I would start to reduce the quantity of milk you give the lamb over about 48 hours. It will be good if you can feed the weaned lambs with such food that contain at least 16-18 percent crude protein. Your new lamb should, by the age of 4-6 weeks, be getting 50% of its nutritional needs from grass and hay. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. We provide help, support and advice for smallholders and aspiring smallholders. This can be a sign that mastitis is present and will need to be treated. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Make sure you keep track of time and stick on your schedule to gradually decrease feedings starting at 5 to 6 weeks. A few simple steps preparing for weaning can minimize the stress to both ewes and lambs in your flock. Without water, lambs may eat less. [15] Solid feed often comes in the form of a high protein grain mix, but could also mean highly palatable and high protein hay. However, some of that baaing and crying can be minimized if shepherds take a few simple steps to prepare for weaning. A study at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (in Dubois, Idaho) showed that 46 percent of lamb mortality is caused by scours (diarrhea), 20 percent by starvation, and 8 … “Have the water tested for heavy metals, as these can curb growth. Watch lambs closely for any signs of health problems for several weeks after weaning. Viruses infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.