The best economic results in sheep and goat farms are achieved based on the quantity of milk sold and the production cost. Lambs and goats consume milk and reduce the amount of milk sold. In principle, increasing milk with milk substitutes (powdered milk) can be justified if powdered milk is cheaper than fresh goat or sheep milk.
Advantages of managing the rearing of goats and lambs with powdered milk:
- Better management when sheep or goats have high fertility
- Faster and more homogeneous growth of lambs and kids because they are not dependent on the amount of milk produced by their mother (one, two, three lambs or kids per litter
- Lambs or kids adapt based on their specific requirements regarding temperature, humidity, and ventilation
- Facilitates the management of milking sheep and goats
- The introduction of lambs and goats into special pens should be done in the first week
- During this time, monitoring is easier regarding milk adaptation and intake
- The division of lambs and goats should be done into groups based on their age
- Lambs or goats should be given based on the recommendations of the powdered milk producer
- Lambs and goats should have unlimited water and it should be offered to them from the first day of birth
- Concentrate should be offered to you without limitation from day one
- Bulky food should be given to you from day one
Stalls for lambs and kids - During the first two weeks, 4 lambs or kids per month2
- After two weeks, 3 lambs or kids per square meter
- Care must be taken to ensure that lambs and kids have dry bedding (straw or some other material)
Temperature:
- Immediately after birth, the temperature should be maintained at 25 °C in the environment where the goats or lambs are kept
- The temperature should be maintained at 18 °C +/- 5 °C for up to 3 weeks
- After 3 weeks, a temperature of 13 – 15 °C should be maintained
Heating system:
- We can use 250 W infrared lamps and should be placed one meter above the floor
- Heating with water or by warming the air can also be used
Humidity and Ventilation
- High humidity in the pens where we keep lambs or goats can cause respiratory diseases
- The optimal humidity is 70 – 80%
- Good ventilation must be maintained
- Elimination of various gases released by animals and bedding (NH3, CO2, dust, etc.)
- Elimination of winds (drafts), especially during winter
Available in: SHQ, ENG, SRB