Lambs should be observed closely in the intermediate pen to make sure they are fully adapted to artificial rearing before being placed in the self-sufficient pen. A maximum of 15 lambs should be raised together. Once established in a self-sufficient pen, lambs should not be moved and mixed with other lambs. With proper management, lambs reared artificially should gain 0.65 to 0.75 lb per day while on milk replacer. Because young lambs don't have a functional rumen, the protein portion of the diet must come from all natural protein, with no nonprotein nitrogen contained in the feed.
Lambs are more likely to start on feed that is coarsely ground rather than pelleted.
However, high quality commercial pellets are acceptable and work well. Even at a very young age, lambs begin to consume small amounts of dry feed. Therefore, it is important that lambs have early access to feed if they are to be weaned at 20 to 28 days of age. The feeder should be constructed so that lambs cannot stand, lay, or play in the feed. A free-choice source of a complete mineral mix specifically formulated for sheep should also be provided.