The Foundation of Lamb Nutrition: Colostrum and Milk
The nutritional journey for a lamb begins immediately after birth with colostrum, the ewe's first milk. It is packed with vital antibodies, proteins, and minerals essential for a newborn's immune system. Providing colostrum within the first 24 hours is critical for survival. For orphaned or supplemented lambs, commercially prepared colostrum replacers can be used, with an ideal target of feeding approximately 10% of the lamb's body weight in colostrum over the first 6 to 18 hours.
Following the colostrum period, hand-reared lambs transition to milk replacer, which should be specifically formulated for lambs. Calf milk replacers are not recommended due to potentially high lactose and copper levels. During this phase, feeding small, frequent meals is safer than overfeeding, which can cause bloat or scours. A general rule of thumb for milk replacer is to feed 10% to 15% of the lamb's body weight daily, split into multiple feedings. For example, a 5kg lamb would receive a total of 750ml of milk replacer per day, divided into several feeds.
Introducing Solid Foods and Weaning
Starting as early as one to two weeks of age, lambs will show interest in solid foods like hay and creep feed. This process is vital for stimulating the development of the rumen, the first of the sheep's four stomach compartments.
- Creep Feed: A high-protein starter feed, often in the form of pellets or muesli, should be introduced in small quantities and gradually increased. Creep feed helps lambs gain weight efficiently and transitions their digestive system from a milk-based diet to solid forage.
- Hay and Pasture: Access to fresh hay and good-quality pasture should be provided as soon as lambs show interest. This provides the necessary fiber for proper rumen function. Pasture intake for lambs can be roughly estimated by dividing their age in weeks by 10 to get an approximate intake in kg of dry matter per day.
- Water: Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Water intake is a key driver for dry matter intake and overall health. Weaned lambs, in particular, should be shown the water source to ensure they drink adequately.
Daily Intake for Growing and Finishing Lambs
For growing and finishing market lambs, intake is generally based on a percentage of their body weight in dry matter (DM). A common recommendation is 2.5% to 3.0% of body weight in dry matter daily, though this can be higher for very young lambs. A gradual transition to higher concentrate finishing diets is crucial to prevent digestive upset. This might involve starting with a forage-heavy diet and slowly increasing the concentrate proportion over several weeks.
Comparison of Daily Intake at Different Life Stages
| Stage of Lamb | Primary Diet | Daily Intake Rate | Daily Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 days old | Colostrum | ~10% of body weight total (first 18-24 hrs) | At least 3-4 feeds |
| 1-3 weeks old | Milk replacer, start creep feed/hay | 10-15% of body weight (milk) + small amounts of solids | Multiple feeds (3-6+), reduced with age |
| 6-12 weeks old (Pre-weaning) | Milk, creep feed, hay/pasture | Milk intake decreasing, solid intake increasing | Milk feeds reduced to 1-2 per day; solids free choice |
| Post-weaning/Finishing | Forage, concentrates | 2.5-3.0% of body weight (dry matter) | Free choice or scheduled concentrate feeds |
Factors Influencing Daily Intake
Several factors can influence a lamb's daily intake, and proper management is key to navigating these variables. These include:
- Environment: Hot weather can reduce feed intake but increase water consumption. Conversely, poor-quality water will decrease feed intake.
- Health and Hygiene: Diseases, parasites, and unsanitary conditions can suppress a lamb's appetite. Maintaining clean feeding equipment is essential to prevent issues like scours.
- Competition: If feeding multiple lambs, faster drinkers or aggressive eaters can dominate the feeder. Monitoring lambs and regrouping them can ensure all animals receive adequate nutrition.
- Feed Quality and Palatability: Feeds that are moldy or unappetizing will be rejected by lambs. The palatability of creep feeds can vary, with some additives discouraging intake.
- Diet Transition: Abrupt changes in diet, particularly to high-starch grains, can lead to digestive problems like acidosis. Slow, gradual transitions over several weeks are recommended.
Conclusion: The Importance of Managed Intake
Managed nutrition and carefully monitored daily intake are the cornerstones of successful lamb rearing. From the crucial first feeds of colostrum to the calculated dry matter percentages for finishing lambs, every stage requires attention to detail. Balancing milk, creep feed, forage, and concentrates while considering environmental and health factors ensures that lambs grow efficiently and healthily. By understanding and controlling what is the daily intake of lambs, caretakers can optimize health outcomes and productivity while avoiding common pitfalls like bloat, scours, and weight loss. A Comprehensive Guide to Caring For Orphaned Lambs from Animal Liberation Victoria offers more detailed insights for orphan care.
