Scanning results will provide sheep farmers with the first indication of how many lambs are likely to need fostering this spring, according to Volac’s Jackie Bradley.

“Preparing a carefully planned rearing protocol before lambing starts will be time well invested since well grown artificially reared lambs will leave an acceptable margin that can be considered a worthwhile additional income stream,” she said.

Bradley also said that like all successful youngstock systems, surplus lamb rearing requires attention to detail, from daily cleaning of the feeding equipment to providing light airy well drained accommodation.

“Unless you literally have a handful of surplus lambs, then ad lib bucket or automatic machine systems will prove cost effective.”

Both these systems will save labour, encourage improved growth and reduce the risk of digestive upsets, she said.

These systems offer the best alternative to the ewe.

lambs

Independent sheep consultant, Kate Philip also said that preparation is key for the success of artificially reared lamb systems.

Philip said that farmers should prepare a suitable building or space, which is free from draughts, with good ventilation and free drainage. A heat lamp may also be required.

She said that dark, poorly ventilated, outdated building is not acceptable.

The UK-based consultant also said that the space allowance is important and group size should be limited to a maximum of 25 lambs.

Lamb floor space per lamb:
  • Up to 12kg liveweight – 0.5 to 0.6m2
  • 13-30kg liveweight –  0.8 to 0.9m2

Preparing a clean dry area for milk powder storage is also important and farmers should check to see if their scales, mixing and cleaning equipment are all in working order, she said.

The sheep specialist also said that when a ewe has three lambs wet fostering one of the lambs on to a single rearing ewe is the best option.

But when wet fostering is not an option, she said that farmers should consider the target market when picking a lamb for artificial rearing.

She also said that entire ram lambs may be better suited to artificial rearing systems, as they reach slaughter weight quicker due to a 10% higher growth rate than castrated male lambs or ewe lambs.

Artificial rearing guidelines:
  • Every single foster lamb must be fed high quality colostrum, within the first 6 hours, and a minimum 210ml/kg bodyweight within the first 24 hours.
  • Remove lambs from their mother at 24 hours and leave for a few hours to get hungry.
  • Keep the lambs warm, draught-free and dry.
  • Introduce gently to the teat. Machine or ad lib bucket lambs will need to be helped to suckle a few times in their first day; they learn quickly.
  • Provide ad-lib milk replacer fed cold or warm – maximum 18-20 degrees Celcius.
  • Clean out the teats, tubes and mixing bowl and bucket daily. For ad lib bucket feeders, introduce accurately mixed milk replacer, as recommended for machines.
  • Provide quality clean straw regularly to keep bedding clean and dry throughout the rearing phase.
  • Introduce high quality creep feed ad-lib from approximately one week of age and refresh the creep daily.
  • Provide clean fresh straw in racks initially to provide sharp fibre to encourage rumen development.
  • Provide clean fresh water daily.
  • Keep lambs inside throughout the rearing and finishing phases to avoid a growth check associated with a change in diet.
  • Vaccinate lambs against clostridial diseases and pasteurella as you would for the rest of the flock.
  • Wean abruptly to avoid potential digestive upsets at approximately five weeks.
LAMBS VOLAC