Any Advice?

Bratterratt · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 7533

I just got a Suffolk lamb a little while ago, and I'm trying to get him to eat. When I got him, it was his first day off his mama, but he had eaten some grain before. He needs to make 90 pounds before the fair in August, and he won't eat! I've been giving him a sweet feed mixed with molasses, but he wasn't interested. Then I've tried a mixture of feeds, and he's a little more interested, but not much. Does anyone have any ideas?

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RZ · Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 513

calf manna? really good hay? you may have to make up some milk replacer.

could he miss his mamma or company? do you have any other sheep?

sometimes I use rolled oats, or even plain (non instant) oatmeal

Bratterratt · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 7533

Oh, I like the oat meal idea! I do give him incredibly good hay, and he'll sort of try that. And I'm trying to wean him onto grain, but I've been giving in and bottle feeding him some warm goat milk. We have two other sheep, but they are WAY bigger than him so they are separated by a wire fence. I think I'll try the oatmeal idea.... thanks!

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RZ · Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 513

one more thing, and i dont know where you are, but he sounds pretty young. make sure he's warm enough - babies-all species- cant regulate their temps like adults. we've had cooler, rainy weather here

Bratterratt · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 7533

Where I live, it's been really, really, warm and sunny. I've actually been a little afraid he's been to warm, but he's been staying in the shade, so that's probably not too much of a problem.

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RoseCat · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 90

When I raised baby animals on the farm ( a long time ago) I would bring them inside and feed them a mix of molasses oatmeal (the instant kind ) and goats milk from a bottle. I also slept with them till they acted like I was their mother. But that might not work for you. You could also try making a vegetable smoothie by pureeing carrots lettuce barley and oats in a blender with some goats milk.

Rose

Bratterratt · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 7533

I love all the suggestions! I would try all of them, except like two days ago, Classy discovered his newly found love for grain! Finally! Now he has uncontrollable energy and his "waste" is a ton firmer. I'm so happy that he's eating now. And thanks for all of your guy's advice, I will keep it all in mind for my project next year!

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