The feeding frequency for lambs depends heavily on their age and whether they're nursing from a ewe or being bottle-raised, so there's no single universal number, but general guidelines are:
Newborn to 1 week old (bottle-fed): Feed every 2-4 hours around the clock, including overnight, for a total of 5-6 feedings per day. Newborns have small stomachs and need frequent small meals of colostrum first (within the first few hours of life), then milk replacer.
1-3 weeks old: Reduce to 4-5 feedings per day, spaced roughly 4-5 hours apart, as their stomach capacity increases.
3-6 weeks old: Typically 3-4 feedings per day is sufficient.
6-8 weeks old and beyond: Many lambs can move to 2-3 feedings per day as they begin eating more hay, grass, and starter grain, which helps develop rumen function. Weaning from milk typically occurs between 6-10 weeks, depending on weight and health.
Dam-raised lambs nursing naturally from their mother will nurse on demand, often 8-12 times a day in the first weeks, gradually decreasing as they start grazing and eating solid food alongside milk.
Key considerations regardless of schedule:
- Consistency in timing helps digestion and reduces stress
- Overfeeding at once can cause bloat or scours (diarrhea), so smaller frequent meals are safer than large infrequent ones
- Milk replacer should be mixed and warmed according to package instructions
- Always ensure fresh water and access to hay/starter feed is available even during the milk-feeding stage
- Monitor weight gain and adjust volume and frequency accordingly
Because individual health, breed, and management systems vary, consulting a veterinarian or experienced shepherd for a tailored feeding schedule is recommended, especially for orphaned or weak lambs.