Lambs on slotted or expanded metal floors require 2 square feet of floor space per lamb, while lambs on bedded solid floors require 6 square feet of floor space per lamb . No more than 15 lambs should be kept to a pen. If large numbers of lambs are being raised artificially during the winter, a well-ventilated facility that can be heated to 60 F improves lamb livability and performance. The importance of colostrum for newborn lambs cannot be overstated. Lambs raised on the ewe or raised artificially must have colostrum as a critical ingredient for survival.
Colostrum is the first milk produced by the ewe.
Not only is it high in energy and protein, but most importantly, it is rich in antibodies and globulins, which are critical for protection of newborn lambs from infectious disease. Lambs must receive colostrum within the first 18 to 24 hours of life. After 24 to 36 hours, the antibodies can no longer be absorbed across the wall of the small intestines. Lambs destined to be reared artificially should be allowed to nurse their mother for up to six hours or be supplemented with colostrum from a bottle or stomach tube. When in doubt, supplement.