Sometimes there are situations when a lamb is left without a mother. The sheep may die during childbirth or abandon the baby. The birth of 3 or more cubs is also possible. In such a situation, the sheep does not have enough milk. To cope with the problem, you have to look for feeding formulations. At the same time, many novice farmers are interested in how to properly breed milk powder for lambs?
Is it possible to feed lambs with milk powder?
Powdered milk is made from whole cow's milk. During processing, a decrease in its calorie content is observed.This makes the composition not a very suitable substitute for lambs. To increase the nutritional value of powdered milk and adapt it to babies, it must be enriched with fats and glucose. Microelements must also be present in the composition.
Various components are used for this. This could be honey or sugar-based syrup. Fish oil and chicken yolks are also often used. To make a nutritional composition, it is recommended to take the following components:
- 1 liter of milk solution;
- 2-3 tablespoons of syrup or liquid honey;
- 2 egg yolks;
- 1 tablespoon fish oil.
There is a special mixture for feeding lambs - a sheep's milk substitute. It is made taking into account the needs of the cubs. The composition includes vitamins and microelements. These include potassium iodide, chlortetracycline, cobalt chloride and other components. All these substances are very important for the full development of the immune system.
If it was not possible to purchase a special sheep's milk substitute, it is permissible to use ordinary infant formula.
Harm to the product
Powdered milk is not adapted to the needs of lambs and does not take into account the characteristics of their microflora. Therefore, additional substances have to be introduced into the composition. If you give the cubs the mixture in its pure form, there is a risk of negative consequences. Diarrhea, increased weakness, and stunted growth often appear.
Popular brands
Most often, farmers use mixtures developed by the Yaroslavl Research Institute. Such formulations are made from skim cow's milk and artificially added fats - for example, beef or vegetable fats. Cooking oil can also be used. Such products are produced in powder form and mixed with water at a temperature of 40 degrees.
Yaroslavl Research Institute offers 2 types of compositions. The first mixture is used to feed lambs during the first 2 weeks. From the third week, the cub begins to be given the second composition. It is necessary to change the formula, because immediately after birth, babies need a lot of fat, and from the third week they need more protein. The second substance is used for up to 1.5 months.
The Spanish company Lemasa is also involved in the production of sheep milk substitutes. Its range includes 4 types of products for lambs. They differ in composition and purpose. The basis of substitutes are coconut oil and pork fat. The number next to the product name shows the percentage of milk powder contained in this substitute. The company's assortment includes products for lambs and kids.
Selection rules
Sheep milk replacer is available in powder form, which must be dissolved in water. It is recommended to choose it taking into account the age of the lamb. Typically there are the following options:
- for cubs up to 15 days;
- for older animals.
The main difference is that the newborn formulation contains more fat. However, milk powder for older lambs contains more protein. In addition, the mixtures contain vitamins and other valuable substances.
How to dilute milk powder
Diluting milk replacer by simply filling it with water is not enough. In such a situation, you will only get white slurry with lumps. Dry proteins take a long time to dissolve, so it is recommended to infuse the mixture for a long time.
If you neglect this recommendation, small crystals will remain in the solution. They lead to poor digestibility.
Usually it is recommended to dilute milk with water in a ratio of 1:4. To obtain a white, homogeneous liquid, do the following:
- Bring water to a boil, then cool to 50-55 degrees.
- Pour the powder into a convenient container.
- Pour a little water into the container with the powder and mix well to obtain a paste of uniform consistency. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.
- After all lumps have dissolved, add the rest of the water.
- Leave the finished product for half an hour until all particles are completely dissolved.
Feeding lambs with milk
In the first days after birth, the cubs eat little by little, but quite often. If the lamb is kept with its mother, it can suckle the udder even 20 times. Therefore, feeding animals on your own can be quite difficult.
The frequency of feedings and the volume of milk consumption are determined by the age of the lamb. From the moment of birth, animals are recommended to be fed frequently and in small amounts. With age, the number of meals is reduced, and the volume of the composition, on the contrary, is increased.
The exact volume is determined by age:
- From birth to 7 days, lambs need to be fed 6-8 times. It is recommended to do this every 2-2.5 hours. The only exception is night time. At one time, the cubs should eat up to 150 grams of the composition.
- At 8-14 days, the frequency of feedings decreases to 4-5 times. One-time volume – 300-400 grams.
- At 15-21 days, the feeding frequency is 3 times. At one time, the lamb should eat 500-700 grams of the composition.
- At 22-60 days, the number of feedings is reduced to 2. You need to eat 800-900 grams at a time.
- At the age of 61-90 days, 2 feedings are left. In this case, the volume of food is 400-600 grams.
Powdered milk is considered not the best food option for goats that are left without a mother.In this case, it is better to use special mixtures. However, following a number of recommendations helps to raise healthy pets using dry milk products.
