Britt,
I usually wean my lambs at between 8-12 weeks old. I move the ewes out of
the pen (leave the lambs where they grew up) and as far as I can get them.
Unfortunately, sometimes that means that only a fence separates them, which
makes things a bit more noisy.
A lot of people recommend not feeding the ewes or at least not giving them
any grain for a few days after being separated from their lambs to help
their milk dry up. Because I often wean during the winter when grain
supplementation is necessary, I just continue feeding them their normal
feed (the amount they eat when not pregnant and not lactating) and they do
fine.
I leave the lambs separated for two weeks. For the first two days and
nights, ewes and lambs will do their best to convince you they are dying.
The noise can be tremendous. It is a good idea to let your neighbors know
in advance the dates you plan to wean and then take them a 6-pack
afterwards as a peace offering.
My lambs will eat grain at about 2 weeks, although they play with it sooner
than that.
For a really good book about lambs and lambing, I highly recommend Laura
Lawson's "Managing Your Ewe and Her Newborn Lambs" available at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/096339231X/critterhavenesta
Carol
At 02:58 PM 5/5/2005 -0400, you wrote:
How long does it take for a baby lamb to be weaned? How old do they start to
eat solid food?
Thanks,
Britt
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Carol Elkins
Critterhaven Estate
Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
T-shirts, mugs, caps, and more at the
Barbados Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep
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