Milk replacer, which version is better?

[MoMo]

I am currently bottle feeding 4 lambs and 1 pygmy goat. We have been using the milk replace from the local co-op (since my goats are not yet in milk), but I was given a recipe to mix up using cows milk that will save alot of money. I just want to make sure I am using the most nutritionally sound recipe.

The cows milk version is 1 gallon whole milk plus 1 cup buttermilk plus 1 can full fat evaporated milk. The person I got this recipe from also said her animals only ate 8oz each feeding and our lambs are currently eating 12oz., would they need less?

Lastly, I have a really good powdered non-fat milk that I could use to make the milk and evaporated milk with if I knew how much and what kind of fat/oil to add to replace the fat in the milk.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

I hope you find the A to your Q!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I would not use cow milk for sheep. They need a milk replacer specifically for lambs. Find a good, milk protein based milk replacer for lambs, and give them that. The goat you can feed plain whole milk from the store, and don't mix anything in.

 

[MoMo]

They only sell one replacer here and it is for all animals (land o lakes Pronurse). Maybe I was mistaken in thinking that most of these milk replacers are cow milk based. I don't want to have them suffer nutritionally, but the cost of this milk replacer is really high and I need to find something I can afford that still gives them what they need.

 

[Bossroo]

Try... 2 cans of evaporated milk + 2 cans water + 2 tablespoons of Karo syrup + 1 tablespoon mineral water ( from the pharmacy). Adjust amount of formula fed as they grow. I also give this formula to orphan foals.

 

[MoMo]

Try... 2 cans of evaporated milk + 2 tablespoons of Karo syrup + 1 tablespoon mineral water ( from the pharmacy). Adjust amount of formula fed as they grow. I also give this formula to orphan foals.

Is that along with the gallon of whole milk, or just that by itself?

 

[Bossroo]

That is the complete formula!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

That sounds really expensive, Bossroo!

MoMo, try the Pronurse. It looks like it's all milk based, and it does have different mixing ingredients for each species. You could also try talking to the feed store and seeing if they can order you a different replacer.

 

[peteyfoozer]

I have a lamb I am raising on straight Jersey milk. She is doing great on it.
Of course if you are buying commercial milk, there wouldn't be much nutrition there.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

I have a lamb I am raising on straight Jersey milk.

OOH That is interesting. Have you bottle fed her right from Day 1? Did she get loose stools? Are you adding any Probiotics?

Haven't had to bottle feed one this year so far but I hate to buy the Lamb Milk replacer as not only is is SO expensive most of it is junky! If raw cows milk would work that would be a great plan in case of an emergency.

Liz