How to breed milk powder for lambs: rules and proportions, manufacturers

Sometimes there are situations when a lamb is left without a mother. Sheep may die during childbirth or abandon the baby. It is also possible to have 3 or more babies. In such a situation, the sheep does not have enough milk. To cope with the problem, you have to look for formulations for feeding. At the same time, many novice farmers are interested in how to properly breed milk powder for lambs?

Can powdered milk be given to lambs

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 milk powder and adapt it for babies, it must be enriched with fats and glucose. Also, trace elements should be present in the composition.

For this, various components are used. It can 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 milk solution;
2-3 tablespoons syrup or runny honey;
2 egg yolks;
1 tablespoon fish oil.

There is a special mixture for feeding lambs - a substitute for sheep's milk. It is made taking into account the needs of the cubs. The composition includes vitamins and trace elements. These include potassium iodide, chlortetracycline, cob alt chloride and other components. All these substances are very important for the full development of the immune system.

If it is not possible to purchase a special sheep's milk substitute, it is permissible to use ordinary infant formula.

Product harm

Powdered milk is not adapted to the needs of lambs and does not take into account the peculiarities 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. Often there is diarrhea, increased weakness, stunting.

Popular brands

Most often, farmers use mixtures developed by the Yaroslavl Research Institute. Such compositions are made on skimmed cow's milk and fats are artificially added to them - for example, beef or vegetable. Cooking oil can also be used. Such products are produced in the form of a powder and mixed with water at a temperature of 40 degrees.

Yaroslavl Research Institute offers 2 types of formulations. The first mixture is used to feed the lambs for the first 2 weeks.From the third week, the cub begins to give the second composition. It is imperative to change the mixture, because immediately after birth, babies need a lot of fat, and from the third week they need more protein. The second substance is used up to 1.5 months.

Also, the Spanish company Lemasa is engaged in the manufacture of sheep's milk substitutes. In its assortment there are 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 name of the product shows the percentage of powdered milk in this substitute. The company's product range includes products for lambs and kids.

Selection rules

Sheep milk replacer is available as a powder that needs to be dissolved in water. It is recommended to choose it taking into account the age of the lamb. Usually there are these options:

for cubs up to 15 days old;
for older animals.

The main difference is that the formula for newborns includes more fat. At the same time, milk powder for older lambs contains more protein. In addition, the mixtures contain vitamins and other valuable substances.

How to breed milk powder

It's not enough to dilute milk replacer just by filling it with water. In such a situation, only a white liquid with lumps will turn out. Dry proteins dissolve for a long time, therefore it is recommended to leave the mixture for a long time.

If you neglect this recommendation, small crystals will remain in the solution. They lead to poor digestibility.

Usually, milk is recommended to be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:4. To get a white homogeneous liquid, do the following:

Bring water to a boil, then cool to 50-55 degrees.
Pour the powder into a convenient bowl.
Pour a little water into the powder container and mix well to get a slurry of a uniform consistency. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.
After dissolving all the lumps, pour the rest of the water into the composition.
Leave the finished product for half an hour so that all particles are completely dissolved.

Warming the lambs with milk

In the first day after birth, the cubs eat a little, but quite often. If the lamb is kept with its mother, it can suck the udder even 20 times. Therefore, feeding animals on your own can be quite difficult.

In order for babies to be he althy and develop well, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the feeding scheme. Cubs should not be hungry. However, they should not be overfed.

The frequency of feeding and the volume of milk consumption are determined by the age of the lamb. From the moment of birth, it is recommended to feed the animals often 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 old, lambs need to be fed 6-8 times. It is recommended to do this every 2-2.5 hours. The only exception is at night. For 1 time, the cubs should eat up to 150 grams of the composition.
In 8-14 days, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 4-5 times. Single volume - 300-400 grams.
At 15-21 days, the frequency of feeding is 3 times. For 1 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 not considered the best food option for motherless kids. In this case, it is better to use special mixtures. Nevertheless, following a number of recommendations helps to raise he althy pets on a dry dairy product.