3 week orphaned lamb

[angy4000]

Hi all,I have voluntered to keep an orphaned lamb for awhile. I have never done this before and am learning a lot. While its been fun, its also a lot of work.When I got her at 2 weeks old the owners were only feeding her 2 a day and feeding about 12 ounces each time so when I got her she was pretty sick so I reduced amounts and increased how often and that cured the issue. So now I am not sure how much to feed her and how often. The milk replacer says one thing and websites say another. I have been feeding her 5x a day every 4 hrs about 180 ml each time. I feel at times that is even too much as she may have a runny poop. I have also started introducing alfalfa hay. So is this the correct amount to feed?

Also she has been staying a lot in the house with us in a diaper and loves it. She does sleep outside and while she cries at first usually settles in quickly. Once in a while I may hear a cry in the night. I am worried I am doing her a disservice allowing her inside so much as she will eventually go back to the farm and become part of the flock.I am making her stay outside alone a few hours a day now and all she does is cry. Is happy as can be when I and the dogs go out to hang with her. When I open the door she is now the first one barging through it to come in.

So am I doing the wrong thing with her? At the farm all she did was walk around alone and cried. I just want the best for her and want her transition back to the farm to go well. I even thought maybe taking her back and leaving her for a couple hrs once in awhile.

Thanks for any advice you can give me,

Angela

 

[cassie]

Babies need their mothers. Right now you are her mother. When you put her out by herself she feels alone and vulnerable. And she is. No wonder she cries. So would you if you were in the same situation.

 

[angy4000]

cassie thanks for your reply. I am here to learn as this is all new to me. I want to do the best for her. At what age then do I try making her more independent? I dont want to just throw her back on the farm once she is older. That sounds so cruel.

 

[sannabelle]

Typically a breeder will sell off a lamb or goat at 8 weeks because that is when they can be weaned from mom. Are you planning on returning her to the farm she came from at 8 weeks?

 

[angy4000]

sannabelle yes she will be returning to the farm she came from

 

[sannabelle]

Then you really don't need to do "practice separations" from her. Just take her back at 8 weeks and that will be that