I always use hay in a box or crate for the bedding of the bottle babies. Their rumen really doesn't get developed enough to do much until they are 30 days old or so. But the baby will nibble and consume small amounts of hay, pellets, grain, grass and such which stimulates the rumen to develop. So the more a lamb consumes the sooner he is ready physically to be weaned. For right now milk replacer and protection from the cold and pneumonia is most important. My rule of thumb for weaning is the lamb needs to weigh at least 25 pounds and be readily consuming hay/grass/grain and be beyond 30 days old (the older the better).
My opinion, Mark I had a twin born early. As I noted before we lost the other lamb and the momma but as I have never dealt with an early baby I would like to also have a question answered. She, Blessing, is slowly starting to eat more and more of her bottle but when as a preemie should we offer her hay, feed, etc. Not sure and the weather has gone crazy here in OK so we are not taking her out much. oj in ok Oneta and The Gang _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
