Creep feeding Orphan Lambs

[Ilexxx54]

I have twin orphan lambs who just turned 6 weeks old. They are now on twice a day bottle feedings. They have had creep feed and alfalfa available all along but still showing zero interest. I tried putting some in their mouths as well as adding a little powdered milk to the feed. Is it still too soon or is there anything else I should be doing?

 

[primmiemoo]

I'd expect them to be inquisitive, and nibbling creep from younger. Have you been sold freshly made creep, or something that's gone over?

 

[andybk]

just be very careful when they do start eating it , very easy to blow them up and kill them (warm milk and creep try and feed cold milk ), common problem with cade lambs

 

[ladycrofter]

Smear some honey on a bit, put it in their mouths.

 

[BAF]

I'd be knocking the milk on the head now they're 6 weeks old.

 

[primmiemoo]

I have twin orphan lambs who just turned 6 weeks old. They are now on twice a day bottle feedings. They have had creep feed and alfalfa available all along but still showing zero interest. I tried putting some in their mouths as well as adding a little powdered milk to the feed. Is it still too soon or is there anything else I should be doing?

Are they showing interest now? I'm unfamiliar with alfalfa, so don't know its value as roughage once they do begin nibbling ~ but thought, if you have access to it, you might try offering them some clean, bright, barley straw as well, so as to stimulate their rumens. That might tempt their appetites for hard feed.

 

[Agrivator]

Go to your nearest ag, merchant and buy a 25kg bag of coarse mix formulated for young calves but which contains flaked maize. As soon as they start nibbling it, buy a bag of lamb creep pellets and mix them together.