What are the precautions for lambs over the winter? These points need to be mastered

1. Pay attention to nursing. Newborn lambs are most prone to death in the first 10 days after birth, and this is mostly caused by the lambs not feeding well. Therefore, after a lamb is born, it must be given colostrum as soon as possible to enhance its immune ability. During the first 1 to 2 days after birth, feed the lamb once every 1 to 2 hours. After 3 to 5 days, gradually transition to feeding 3 to 4 times a day. If the ewe lacks milk or dies, it is best to find a foster ewe to nurse the lamb. If no foster ewe can be found, artificial nursing can be used. For artificial nursing, fresh milk, milk powder, etc. can generally be used, and in the first month, feed artificially 7 to 8 times a day.

2. Take care of supplementary feeding. After lambs are 7-10 days old, supplementary feeding should begin. Use 1 part bran, 2 parts crushed corn, add a small amount of bone meal or salt, stir-fry until cooked, and then feed. The feeding amount should increase with the lamb's age in days. Generally, supplement 150 to 200 grams per day, divided into 3 feedings. In addition, choose high-quality green hay, tie it into small bundles with rope, hang it up, and let the lambs feed freely.

3. Ensure drinking water. To ensure the water needs for normal growth and development of lambs, ensure that lambs are given enough clean, warm water 2 to 3 times every day.

4. Pay attention to keeping warm. The pen where lambs are born should be kept warm, clean, dry, and well ventilated, because too great a temperature difference between cold and heat outside the pen, or dampness, will not only be unfavorable to the growth and development of lambs, but will also cause lambs to become sick. Generally, the temperature inside the pen is required to remain above 0°C, and it should not be too high. After a lamb is born, if the ewe does not lick the mucus off the lamb in time, wipe it clean with grass to prevent the lamb's body from freezing, so as to increase the lamb's cold resistance.

5. Appropriate exercise. Within 1 week after the ewe gives birth, she should be kept in the pen and not grazed. After 1 week, the ewe can be driven to graze near the pen, while the lamb stays inside the pen. At noon on clear, good-weather days, drive the lambs to the exercise yard to move around and bask in the sun, so as to promote the growth of the lambs, help them adapt to the external climate and environmental conditions, and enhance their cold resistance and disease resistance. Lin Donghua