How to properly breed lamb milk powder, proportions and producers
Sometimes there are situations when a lamb is left without a mother. The sheep may die during childbirth or abandon the baby. Birth of 3 or more babies is also possible. 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?
Is it possible to give milk powder 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 enhance the nutritional value of milk powder and adapt it for the young, it needs to be fortified with fat and glucose. Also, the composition must contain trace elements.
For this, various components are used. This can be honey or sugar-based syrup. Fish oil and chicken yolks are also commonly used. To make a nutritional composition, it is recommended to take the following ingredients:
- 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 substitute for sheep's milk. It is tailored to the needs of the young. The composition includes vitamins and minerals. These include potassium iodide, chlortetracycline, cobalt chloride and other components. All of these substances are very important for the full development of the immune system.
If you can't get a special sheep 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 characteristics of their microflora. Therefore, additional substances have to be introduced into the composition. There is a risk of negative consequences if you give the cubs pure mixture. Often there is diarrhea, increased weakness, stunting.
Popular brands
Most often, farmers use mixtures developed by the Research Institute of Yaroslavl. Such compositions are made on skimmed cow's milk and artificially added to them fats - for example, beef or vegetable. 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 for the first 2 weeks. From the third week, the calf begins to give the second composition. It is imperative to change the mixtures, 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 milk substitutes. There are 4 types of lamb products in its assortment. They differ in composition and purpose. The substitutes are based on coconut oil and pork fat. The number next to the product name indicates the percentage of milk powder in this substitute. The assortment of the company 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. There are usually such options:
- for pups up to 15 days old;
- for older animals.
The main difference is that the newborn formulation contains 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 dilute milk powder
It is not enough to dilute milk replacer just by filling it with water. In such a situation, you will get only white slurry with lumps. Dry proteins dissolve for a long time, 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.
It is usually recommended to dilute milk with water in a 1: 4 ratio. To get a white homogeneous liquid, you should 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 a container with the powder and mix well to get a homogeneous gruel. 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.
Feeding lambs with milk
On the first day after birth, the cubs eat a little, but quite often. If the lamb is kept with the mother, he can suck the udder even 20 times. Therefore, it can be quite difficult to feed animals on their own.
The frequency of feeding and the amount of milk consumed is determined by the age of the lamb. From the moment of birth, it is recommended to feed the animals frequently and in small quantities. With age, the number of meals decreases, and the volume of the composition, on the contrary, increases.
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. At one time, the cubs should eat up to 150 grams of the composition.
- At 8-14 days, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 4-5 times. One-time volume - 300-400 grams.
- On days 15-21, the frequency of feedings 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. For 1 time you need to eat 800-900 grams.
- 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 kids who are left without a mother. In this case, it is better to use special mixtures. Nevertheless, following a number of recommendations helps to grow healthy pets on dry milk product.
