Bottle feeding lambs - cold milk

[Tommy_T]

I am topping up lambs in the field. I’ve been giving hot bottles but is it right I could give it to them cold? Is there any benefit to hot or cold feeds? They’re a week old.

 

[twizzel]

Cold is mostly used on ad-lib to stop them gorging. I think if I was just topping up I’d stick to warm.

 

[sticky]

They won’t drink as much of the cold and so won’t do as well.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Yes Cold is fine.

Mix to the correct strength of course as usual just to check, and they will take all you can provide the greedy little buggers.

 

[Jonp]

If you feed it warm you may cause bloat, cold is less risky, and they'll drink it no problem.

 

[valtraman]

If your having to go round fields topping up lambs do you not think you are better lifting the lamb rear it yourself or take it to a pet lamb sale & sell it

 

[michael N123]

If your topping up in field the ewe isn’t carrying it so take it off as a pet or cake the ewes

 

[valtraman]

If your topping up in field the ewe isn’t carrying it so take it off as a pet or cake the ewes

And if ewes are getting caked & still not producing lift the lamb tag the ewe for culling. Life’s too short to be running about like that

 

[Jaffa Cakes]

What age do people wean pet lambs? Is it best to gradually reduce the milk or just stop it?

 

[neilo]

What age do people wean pet lambs? Is it best to gradually reduce the milk or just stop it?

5 weeks, abruptly.

 

[Jonp]

5 weeks, abruptly.

Can't wait...3 weeks to go

 

[ladycrofter]

Never cold milk, why make them waste energy reheating themselves. And what a shock to their wee system, they're already compromised.
I prefer to leave them with their mothers if at all possible. It's better for their immune system, we all get endorphins from being looked after, and socialising. IMO bottle feeding is a few minutes of their day. Don't have the numbers for the last few years but we have a lot higher % survive to autumn than the old way, they've had a lot less stress IMO.
All bottle cases and moms go to a small paddock. I have a call I do when bottle feeding, they pick it up quick while inside. Then out. I have to go around the field calling and prompting the first week, after that, they can come to the fence if they're hungry. It's work but pays off. 90% of the time they're still getting some, however small, from mom too. But outright orphans or rejects go to a separate pet pen by the house until they're too big for predators to bother.
Obviously we're able to make this work here, but wouldn't suit everyone's situation.

 

[unlacedgecko]

If your topping up in field the ewe isn’t carrying it so take it off as a pet or cake the ewes

If ewes aren't used to it, it's a bit late to be caking them now. BCS should be monitored well before lambing to ensure ewes are at the correct level. If the system calls for it, supplementary feed should be offered pre lambing to train the ewes.

Then lambing paddocks should have the right level over cover in, with an appropriate grazing plan.

 

[Jonp]

Never cold milk, why make them waste energy reheating themselves. And what a shock to their wee system, they're already compromised.
I prefer to leave them with their mothers if at all possible. It's better for their immune system, we all get endorphins from being looked after, and socialising. IMO bottle feeding is a few minutes of their day. Don't have the numbers for the last few years but we have a lot higher % survive to autumn than the old way, they've had a lot less stress IMO.
All bottle cases and moms go to a small paddock. I have a call I do when bottle feeding, they pick it up quick while inside. Then out. I have to go around the field calling and prompting the first week, after that, they can come to the fence if they're hungry. It's work but pays off. 90% of the time they're still getting some, however small, from mom too. But outright orphans or rejects go to a separate pet pen by the house until they're too big for predators to bother.
Obviously we're able to make this work here, but wouldn't suit everyone's situation.

My six pets in the shed are like demented wippets, got to try sneaking in so I can at least put the bottles on a shelf before they start trying to trip me up. They do make me laugh, I find it quite therapeutic!