Do any DFs sheep owners have any lamb advice??

[Fi]

Now we're on a yard that has sheep and lambs, I've been lucky enough to be able to help with the lambing and the feeding of a few lambs that need bottles. However, there are 2 little guys who's mum gave up the ghost and died last week. They started on her but are now on milk replacer. They've both now got bloat, one in particular is quite miserable and won't take much feed before going and huddling in a corner. The vets didn't seem to offer much advice, except to give them electrolytes, but we've read about adding veg oil to the milk to help stop it frothing and remedies such as baking soda and ground ginger?? I also read somewhere that electrolytes curdle the milk so isn't good?

and DFs sheep owners got any advice? I've got quite fond of the poor little guys, would really hate to lose them :-(

Fi

[zeldalithgow]

Aww poor wee lambs, can't offer any real advice, other than giving them smaller amounts of milk at each feed, would changing the brand of milk help

[April]

First check it's not being over mixed so not going too frothy, a bit of sediment is probably better than being frothy.. Then look at the powder to water ratio.. I've always been advised against lots of electrolytes as many of the replacers contain a lot already. Thinking about it in terms of osmosis, milk is normally just about isotonic as the osmolality is the same as blood. But some replacers can be very hypertonic in comparison and cause the cells to retain water, if this is the case adding more water to the replacer can actually reduce bloating. Don't really know all the scientific ins and outs of it as never cared to look into it, but seen it work a few times (ex had a sheep farm). Think it's something to do with a hyper electrolyte balance causing slower emptying of the whole digestive system so an increase in bacteria and fermentation causing bloating (not just that water is being retained to try to balance the ratios). Could be something completely different and/or I've explained it wrong though!

[Debbie]

Not a clue since I've never ever raised lambs, but I wish you all the best with them.

[harleydales]

Stupid question maybe - but is it proper lamb milke replacer?
Be careful how you mix - they are VERY sensitive.
I don't use electrolytes either, apart from if they are scouring, and I use specific lamb ones. My vet did give me a recipe for electrlyte but I can't remember what it was!
Are they scouring?
I certainly wouldn't give ginger or bicarb! The milk is formulated and balanced so if you add to it you upset the balance.
Make sure you stick to the correct amount per day - 2 pints max, in 4 feeds per day at regular intervals.
Offer fresh water and hay all the time.

[Fi]

thanks for the advice, and yes, it is proper lamb milk replacer, and they get it 4 times a day as well. Luckily they seem to be pulling through it now (*touches wood*), they are now old enough to be eating hay and while the little one refuses all but only a little bit of milk she is constantly nibbling hay and creep so is gaining weight. Despite being small she's much brighter in herself, and her droppings are more normal. I read that hay helps balance the rumen so hopefully they will continue to improve. *Touches more wood*

[harleydales]

Great news - yes, hay should be offered right from the start along with fresh water. They might not seem to touch it but if they need it they will.
I recommend getting them into an outside pen as soon as possible as well, so they start to chew on grass and get used to it - if they are inside for 6 weeks and then flung out at weaning it's a recipe for bloat. Mine get lobbed out through the day as soon as they are strong enough, generally after a week. They have a little hut for shelter and I take them back in to the shed at night.

[Fi]

that's a good idea Jane, I was just saying tonight (as Little Scrat has blown up a again today) that the next worry would be the grass.