Colostrum (210ml/kg bodyweight) is essential within the first 24 hours, the first feed should be within 6 hours of life.
Provide a good quality lamb milk replacer:
Day 1 – 3 = 1 litre in 4 – 5 feeds
Day 4 – 7 = 1 litre in 4 feeds
Day 7 to weaning = 1.5 litres in 4 feeds reducing to 2 feeds until weaning
If on ad-lib feeders do not dilute, as this makes lambs drink more. Additionally, do not let the powder run out or the lambs will gorge.
Make sure the hole in a teat is not too big as this can cause bloat. Tip the bottle up and if milk is free flowing, the hole is too big.
Use soft teats, 4cm length = more sucking.
Offer lamb creep from 3 days of age. Ensure the feed is palatable with good levels of starch and quality protein.
Fresh, clean water should always be available.
Straw should be readily available.
Ensure excellent hygiene and cleaning.
Abrupt weaning at 5 weeks or 10kg liveweight, whichever soonest if eating hard feed (250g/day).
