Guide on How to Bottle Feed a Baby Lamb

Consult a veterinarian. If you're faced with the task of bottle feeding a lamb, chances are you've encountered an orphaned lamb or had one rejected by a ewe. Before attempting to administer care yourself, it's advisable to seek assistance from a veterinarian. The vet will assess the lamb's condition and provide guidance on the appropriate milk and colostrum replacements, ensuring the lamb receives essential vitamins and minerals for optimal health.

Acquire colostrum replacement. Colostrum, the initial milk produced by a ewe after birth, is crucial for a lamb's health and well-being.

• Rich in nutrients and protective against various infections, colostrum is essential for lambs to develop antibodies and fend off potential infections, as they are born without antibodies.
• Lambs should ideally consume 10% of their body weight in colostrum within the first 24 hours. In cases where lambs are abandoned or rejected by their mothers, obtaining colostrum replacer promptly is vital. Keeping colostrum replacer on hand is advisable for lamb raisers in emergencies.
• Colostrum replacer is typically available at stores selling livestock feed and supplies.

Purchase lamb milk replacer. For approximately the first 13 weeks of a lamb's life, milk replacer is necessary.

• Lamb milk replacer can be bought at stores selling livestock feed. Once opened, store it in a sealed gallon jar, and to deter insect infestation, place a few bay leaves atop the jar.
• Ensure the milk replacer is specifically formulated for lambs, as products designed for cows contain different nutrients and vitamins and are unsuitable for maintaining lamb health.

Create your own formula if needed. If commercial milk or colostrum replacers are unavailable, homemade alternatives can be prepared as a last resort.

• Colostrum replacer can be made by blending 740 milliliters of cow's milk with one beaten egg, a teaspoon of cod liver oil, and a teaspoon of glucose. Alternatively, mix 600 milliliters of cow's milk with a teaspoon of castor oil and one beaten egg.
• A milk formula can be concocted using a teaspoon of butter, a teaspoon of dark corn syrup, a can of evaporated milk, and oral and liquid baby lamb vitamins obtainable from feed stores.

Prepare the feeding bottle. Use an 8-ounce baby bottle equipped with a rubber nipple to feed the lamb.

• Initially, fill the bottle with colostrum equivalent to 10% of the lamb's body weight and feed it to the lamb within the first 24 hours, ideally at two-hour intervals.
• Following the initial colostrum feeding, provide the lamb with 140 milliliters of milk replacer. Measure the appropriate amount into the bottle and warm it until it's comfortably warm to the touch, resembling the temperature of a baby's bottle.
• Regularly sterilize the bottles and nipples using Milton sterilizing solution or a baby's steam sterilizer to prevent bacterial growth from milk residue. Avoid using bleach, as it can damage the nipples.

Establish a feeding timetable. After the initial 24-hour period, devise and adhere to a feeding timetable for your lamb.

• During the first 24 hours following colostrum intake, provide 140 milliliters of milk every four hours. Subsequently, feed your lamb 200 milliliters four times daily, maintaining intervals of about four hours between feedings. Keep a record of feeding times and ensure timely feedings.
• After two weeks, gradually increase the milk quantity fed to your lamb.
• Prioritize warming the milk replacer to a comfortably warm temperature, avoiding scalding.

Elevate the lamb's head, encouraging her to stand, and initiate feeding. Once you've measured and prepared the milk, commence feeding your lamb.

• Lambs should feed while standing. Avoid cradling or restraining your lamb during bottle feeding to prevent lung clotting.
• Most lambs will instinctively suckle. If your lamb isn't suckling, gently press the bottle's nipple against her lips to stimulate feeding.

Introduce fresh water, hay, and grass after the initial week. Following a week of bottle feeding with colostrum and milk, integrate solid foods into your lamb's diet.

• Offer the lamb fresh water, hay, and grass, allowing her to consume them at will.
• If she's sufficiently robust, grant her access to graze alongside the flock, facilitating socialization with other sheep.

Gradually augment the feeding quantity every fortnight. Increase the milk volume as your lamb grows.

• After two weeks of administering 200 milliliters of milk four times daily, progressively elevate it to 500 milliliters four times a day.
• Subsequently, over two more weeks, gradually raise the feeding quantity to 700 milliliters thrice daily.
• Between five to six weeks, commence reducing the milk quantity. Transition to 500 milliliters (16.9 fl oz) twice daily.

Ensure your lamb is fully weaned from milk by 13 weeks. By the age of 13 weeks, your lamb should have transitioned entirely to a diet comprising hay, feed, grass, and water. Adhere to your schedule diligently, gradually decreasing feedings from five to six weeks onward to facilitate weaning by the appropriate time.

Check on your lamb post-meal to ensure she's eaten sufficiently. It's important to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your lamb. Here are some methods to determine if your lamb has had enough to eat.

• After a meal, your lamb's sides should remain straight from the hips to the ribs, indicating adequate food intake.
• If you notice your lamb's sides bulging after feeding, decrease the milk amount in the next feeding as overfeeding may have occurred.

Prevent hypothermia. Lambs often require bottle-feeding due to being orphaned or abandoned. Without the warmth of a flock, lambs may experience dangerously low body temperatures leading to hypothermia. Take preventive measures against hypothermia.

• Early signs of hypothermia include weakness, a gaunt appearance, and hunched posture. Use a rectal thermometer to confirm low body temperature. A normal lamb should register 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below indicates a potential issue.
• Wrap your lamb in a towel for warmth or use a hairdryer. Alternatively, consider investing in a lamb jacket designed for overnight use. Avoid using heat lamps in barns to prevent fire hazards.
• Maintain a draft-free barn, especially during winter, to minimize the risk of hypothermia.

Prevent pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common concern in lambs, particularly those requiring bottle feeding as they may lack sufficient antibodies to combat bacteria even with colostrum replacers.

• Respiratory issues, elevated heart rate, and fever are indicative of pneumonia. Affected lambs may exhibit reluctance to nurse.
• Drafts and damp conditions are primary pneumonia culprits. Ensure your barn is clean, dry, and draft-free to mitigate pneumonia risks.
• If your lamb contracts pneumonia, promptly seek antibiotics from a veterinarian and administer them as directed.