Getting lambs to drink ( from a bottle)

[Wood field]

So far we’ve only had two bottle babies.. now there’s six
I am struggling to get the latest ones to feed from a bottle
Any tips greatly appreciated

 

[aangus]

So far we’ve only had two bottle babies.. now there’s six
I am struggling to get the latest ones to feed from a bottle
Any tips greatly appreciated

starve them for 12hrs

 

[spin cycle]

varies depending on lamb....have the lamb facing away from you...cradle the jaw in one hand to stop it moving overly and bottle in other....they often try backing away so have them so...if they do...your legs stop them

 

[Lili]

They'll be more willing to feed if they're hungry
Use a plastic pop bottle (+ teat) which can be gently squeezed - gives the lamb a taste of the milk.
If you can get the lamb sucking put the hand that's not holding the bottle over the lambs face/nose as its feeding - imitates sucking up under its mothers hind leg.
Older lambs that have been on a ewe can be very stubborn to get going.

 

[Wood field]

varies depending on lamb....have the lamb facing away from you...cradle the jaw in one hand to stop it moving overly and bottle in other....they often try backing away so have them so...if they do...your legs stop them

That’s how I usually do it , I’ve two lost there mother today and they are little barstools

 

[spin cycle]

That’s how I usually do it , I’ve two lost there mother today and they are little barstools

I pulled a ewe off the field today and her lambs drank straight away....luck of the draw fekkin things

 

[ladycrofter]

They can have a variety of problems with it. I have one that tries to bite the neck of the bottle so I have to get hold of his mouth and put the teat in. Another just keeps putting his head up and then backs away so as said if you put your feet together put their butt against your legs and then open their mouth and put the teat in. Another gets so excited he lets go, so I have to get the teat in his mouth and then hold his head gently against the bottle. A few whose mother had very little milk are used to sucking so hard to get anything, that they nearly drowned themselves, and they're still on the smallest opening teats.

Pinch the teat so while you're messing about trying to get it in their mouth so you don't drown them. They all eventually get it. Then rip your arm off

 

[BAF]

It's easier once their hungry. I often find the first few times feeding them they only drink enough to really annoy you my only real advice over and above Mr @spin cycle is don't take it personally. They always give in in the end...or die I do however take it personally when they drink for 6 weeks and then die!

 

[Wood field]

It's easier once their hungry. I often find the first few times feeding them they only drink enough to really annoy you my only real advice over and above Mr @spin cycle is don't take it personally. They always give in in the end...or die I do however take it personally when they drink for 6 weeks and then die!

My Mrs normally looks after the bottle lambs, she has the patience of a saint ( well she puts up with me)
I just haven’t the patience or time , left them tonight with one of those buckets with 5 tests , take it or leave it
I’ll try again tomorrow morning

 

[puppet]

It does work if you persevere.

 

[Wood field]

It does work if you persevere.

We have one of those racks … somewhere
One they get feeding from the bottle they are great

 

[puppet]

My wife is in charge. 4 racks makes the job easier

 

[Jonp]

varies depending on lamb....have the lamb facing away from you...cradle the jaw in one hand to stop it moving overly and bottle in other....they often try backing away so have them so...if they do...your legs stop them

Or if your back is playing up, sit on the floor (a dry bit!) put the lamb on your leg, front legs over, so it's tucked under your arm and can't get away. Bottle in the clamping arm hand, other hand free to prise open mouth, stroke head, rub chest etc etc
Can also lean back on a pillar/hurdle if it takes awhile

 

[Moors Lad]

Older lambs that have been on a ewe can be very stubborn to get going.

Messed about with stubborn swales off a ewe for days sometimes, others just take to it quite quickly... I`ve used the tube just to keep the awkward little sh*ts alive for days before the penny finally drops, by which time they`ve learnt a whole host of words that I suspect the vicar rarely uses.....

 

[Devil's advocate]

So far we’ve only had two bottle babies.. now there’s six
I am struggling to get the latest ones to feed from a bottle
Any tips greatly appreciated

Off 100 sheep I've got 35 bottle lambs, 10 due to mastitis (the type that comes 24 hour after lambing) the others triplets, quads or hogg twins.

The 3 you are struggling with, I would tube twice a day to keep healthy. But sit on the floor with lamb between your legs, finger in its mouth & keep trying.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Messed about with stubborn swales off a ewe for days sometimes, others just take to it quite quickly... I`ve used the tube just to keep the awkward little sh*ts alive for days before the penny finally drops, by which time they`ve learnt a whole host of words that I suspect the vicar rarely uses.....

Once reared a lamb to a month old on the tube, it was then eating plenty of creep. It looked a bit runty compared to the others, but by 6 months old it caught up.

 

[Wood field]

Off 100 sheep I've got 35 bottle lambs, 10 due to mastitis (the type that comes 24 hour after lambing) the others triplets, quads or hogg twins.

The 3 you are struggling with, I would tube twice a day to keep healthy. But sit on the floor with lamb between your legs, finger in its mouth & keep trying.

I am lucky to just have the four out of 500 !!
Any others I try to foster on a ewe

 

[muleman]

Hold it up in your arms , put teat in mouth, squeeze bit of milk in then tickle lambs tail and nudge it, it stimulates sucking, be like the ewes nose nudging it, often works!

 

[Paddington]

Need to get yourself comfortable on a small bale and have the lamb tucked under one arm like a set of bagpipes and their legs over your legs....and talk to them when feeding.

 

[Wood field]

Major…ish .. success, three of the little buggers we’re legging it round the big shed having performed a perfect escape from the pen , one came straight in as it’s partly behaving with the bottle, the other two got caught eventually and have took 1/4 bottle each , it’s a start and I didn’t lose my patience.. much