Raising an orphaned lamb is a very meaningful experience; in fact, you can watch it grow and develop thanks to your efforts. However, it is also a great responsibility; in fact, you have to take care of every aspect of the puppy's care, including feedings, his health and make sure that his every need is met.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Feed it
Step 1. Give him some colostrum
As soon as it comes to light, the lamb should drink large quantities of this substance, which is the first milk produced by the mother after giving birth; it is different from normal milk because it is rich in proteins, fats and antibodies essential for the survival of the newborn. Offering your pet colostrum should be your priority right after it is born.
- You can use that of other sheep that have just given birth or that of cows. The ideal is to get the fresh or frozen one; it is also available in supplement form at agricultural supply stores or online, although it is generally considered less effective.
- The lamb should take about 500ml of good quality colostrum during its first day of life; you should give it over 6 to 8 feedings.
- Ask a veterinarian with experience in sheep what the exact dose to give to the puppy at each meal is; your doctor should also be able to tell you where to find colostrum, for example at some farms that stock it.
- If you found the frozen one, thaw it in hot or nearly boiling water. Do not use the microwave, as this could damage the antibodies and proteins contained in the liquid.
Step 2. Teach your puppy to drink from a bottle
Have him stand on all fours with his head up. Slowly bring the teat to his mouth and move his jaw up and down to squeeze the milk from the teat; after three or four movements, the lamb should latch on and suck regularly.
- If she is not holding the teat in her mouth, you should see your vet. may advise you to use a feeding tube in case your puppy is in dire need of nourishment.
- You can test the sucking reflex of the animal using a finger; bring it close to her mouth, she should take it between her lips with a medium to strong desire to breastfeed.
- If you don't have this intense reflex, you need to call your vet; do not try to bottle feed a lamb that it cannot suck, otherwise it may inadvertently inhale the milk instead of drinking it.
Step 3. Get a sheep's milk substitute
Once you have consumed colostrum on the first day of life, you need to switch to formula milk; the lamb needs 140 ml of milk every 4 hours.
You can buy the replacement liquid from an agricultural consortium or order it on a site specializing in supplies for livestock puppies; strictly follow the instructions on the package, as the directions for preparation vary according to the brand
Step 4. Gradually increase the dose of milk
During the first two weeks of the lamb's life, you should be able to offer 500 ml of milk every 4 hours; keep this amount constant for another two weeks and gradually increase it up to 700 ml 3 times a day. Continue with this ration for 14 days.
You can then reduce the amount of formula by up to 500ml per feed twice a day
Step 5. Introduce hay, grass, and water to her feed
When the baby has reached a few weeks of life, you can begin the weaning phase; as lamb moves on to solid foods, it should abandon formula milk.
When he is about a month old, you should reduce the milk ration; at three months of age the puppy should be completely weaned
Part 2 of 3: Meeting Basic Needs
Step 1. Offer him shelter
An orphaned lamb is less likely to survive due to weather-induced hypothermia; in fact, she does not enjoy the protection of her mother to shelter during the night and for this reason you have to intervene.
- Make sure he can enter the fold whenever he wants, but make sure he spends the night there.
- It is essential that the puppy is sheltered from the wind, as air currents can cause his body temperature to plummet.
- Protect it from local predators, such as wolves, birds of prey, and foxes, especially at night.
Step 2. Provide it with heat
In addition to regular shelter, you need to make sure the puppy gets extra warmth. Spread dry substrate, such as straw, to insulate the animal from the cold. arrange hot water bags, heat lamps or portable stoves to reproduce the warm environment that the mother would offer.
If you put stoves or lamps in the fold, make sure that the lamb cannot touch them, otherwise he could get burned; if not used safely, these devices can also cause a fire. Make sure that any objects that give off heat are at a safe distance from your puppy to prevent them from getting burned
Step 3. Give him some time to spend outdoors
The little lamb needs to be outdoors for a while even if it is cold; in doing so it exposes itself to sunlight and fresh air and can graze freely. This is a very important detail for his development and happiness.
- If the weather is cold, you should let it out during the hottest hours of the day.
- It is important that he can roam and graze to strengthen his bones and muscles.
Step 4. Help him socialize
If possible, you should make him bond with other lambs and sheep; put him out to pasture with his fellows, so that he can explore new relationships.
- This experience teaches him to behave like a sheep and not a pet throughout his life.
- Socialization is the fundamental aspect to help him become an adult; in this way, when he returns to the mature flock, he will encounter few difficulties.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of His Health
Step 1. Get him vaccinated
You need to make sure he gets vaccinated early, when he is about three months old; Injections against tetanus and enterotoxemia are generally recommended, but there are other precautions to consider as well.
- Choose vaccines enriched with vitamin B12 to protect the lamb from disease and strengthen its health.
- Vaccines are particularly important if the puppy has not taken colostrum or only in minimal quantities; if you have not received the antibodies and immune defenses present in this food, it is necessary to integrate them with vaccinations.
- You can administer the vaccines yourself or contact your veterinarian; they are usually available at veterinary clinics and clinics; the staff is also available to teach you the techniques to give them to the puppy.
- If you plan to do this yourself, consult your veterinarian first to find out what medication to give the pet and when to proceed. Your doctor can also explain how and where to vaccinate, guide you through the procedure, or show you how to give the first injection, so you can do the next yourself.
Step 2. Cut off his tail
When the lamb is 1-3 weeks old, it generally undergoes this operation; usually a special rubber band is wrapped around the tail and testicles.
- If the puppy is male, in addition to the tail, the testicles are also removed with the same technique.
- Ask your vet or an experienced pastor to help you with this procedure.
Step 3. Give it a deworming treatment
When the puppy is about one month old, you can give him medication against worms; it is done orally thanks to a special "gun" that releases the medicine.
- Discuss which medications are best with a sheep veterinarian.
- The dosage varies according to the active ingredient; read the instructions on the package and calculate the amount of drug taking into account the age and weight of the animal.
Advice
- While feeding, touch their tail or rub their muzzle to make them feel more comfortable and help them suck better.
- If the pet has a lot of space, he is happier and sleeps more.
- If you find it difficult to fix the traditional rubber teat to the bottle, buy one with a screw-on ring; maybe it's a little more expensive, but it's worth it in the long run.
