How to wean bottle baby lambs

[Silhouette]

Hey,I have been feeding orphan lambs for a few years and four weeks is definitely too early to wean.I start the weaning process at six weeks earliest.You should find that they will start drinking water on their own later on,so don't panic.

 

[Kamy]

Taken from "Sheep Raising 101"

Early Weaning
Early weaning is a relative term, but implies weaning at any time after 21 days of age, but usually before 90 days. 60 days is a common weaning age in intensively managed sheep operations. Early weaning can be successful provided lambs are drinking water and consuming adequate amounts of feed. Creep feeding is essential to an early weaning program.The size of the lamb at weaning is generally more important than its actual age. As a rule of thumb, most lambs can be weaned at 60 days of age or 45 pounds, whichever comes first (though this will vary by breed).

This is referencing lambs weaned from their mothers, not bottle babies. Bottle babies are different:

“Orphan lambs are a special case. Early weaning should always be the goal. Artificially-reared lambs can be successfully weaned from a milk diet at 25 to 30 pounds body weight or when they are 30 to 42 days old. Weaning abruptly is better than offering a diluted milk replacer the last week. However, orphan lambs should not be weaned unless they are drinking water and consuming adequate amounts of dry feed. Orphan lambs that have been weaned and merged with rest of the flock should be closely observed for signs of disease and ill-thrift.”
http://www.sheep101.info/201/weaning.html

 

[cassie]

Hello all,

I have 2 bottle baby lambs that are 1 month old now. I want to start weaning them but I can't get them to drink water out of a bucket. They are eating grass and they started nibbling at the sheep feed but what they really want is their bottle.

I try to get them to drink water out of the bucket but they aren't interested in it at all. I then feel like I am forced to give them water in a bottle.

I don't know what to do. Do I just stop giving them the bottle of water and they will eventually get thirsty enough to drink out of a bucket? I'm just scared they will get dehydrated since it is starting to get hotter here during the day.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Tami

One month is too young. They should be at least 8 weeks old and eating hay and grain well before you wean them.

 

[The Sheperds Wife]

I always wean my bottle lambs the way I have observed our ewes wean theirs. First, they cut back on the amount of times they feed them during the day . Then they cut back on the length of time of the feeding, less milk. So I do the same. This start around 8 weeks, so I start then also. At 8 weeks my lambs are getting 2 bottles of 16 ounces. I start decreasing the amount of milk by 2 or 3 ounces every other feeding until down to 0.

 

[Hair Sheep Dude]

So, how do I wean 2 month old from me without aggravating my neighbors. When she loses sight of me, she freaks out, runs around the .5 acre lot, and bah screams so loud, the neighbors can hear it.

I got two more lambs about her age, and she is great flocking with them until I start moving.

Things I've tried:
1. Sitting in a chair for about in hour in the yard.
2. Slipping out the back gate.
3. Doing chores in the yard.

Anyone have recommendations? I'm at my wits end. She needs to go outside and be a sheep. My house is being destroyed. My wife is ready to kick us both to the yard. Thank you.

 

[cassie]

You are going to just have to put her outside with the other sheep. Cold turkey. Warn the neighbors that it is going to be a noisy few days. I once bought a Nubian doeling that acted the way your lamb does. She was used to having constant company from people. I put her in with several young doelings about her age. In spite of the company she was not happy and she let everyone know it. She screamed constantly until, as my husband said, her blatter didn't work any more. By the time she got her voice back she had adjusted and I didn't have any more trouble with her.