When to Wean Lambs and Post-weaning Lamb Care 

Weaning lambs is an important process in sheep production, impacting their growth, health and long-term productivity. Weaning marks the transition from a milk-based diet to solid feed and, when managed properly, ensures that lambs grow into healthy, productive adult sheep. Understanding the optimal timing of when to wean lambs and implementing best practices for lamb care during and after weaning are essential for the success of your flock. 

At BioZyme®, the makers of DuraFerm®, we specialize in vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen your stock by supporting reproductive success and enhancing overall health. DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that promotes optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every production stage, including weaning and growth.    

The DuraFerm team knows that all we want when weaning a lamb is to set our animals up for a healthy, high-performing, productive life. We created this resource about weaning lambs to help producers optimize their flock. 

When to Wean Lambs 

The timing of weaning depends on several factors, including the lambs’ age, weight and nutritional readiness, as well as the health and condition of the ewe. Typically, producers wean lambs between 8 and 12 weeks of age, although this can vary based on management systems and market requirements. Let’s explore some of the primary considerations of when to wean lambs: 

Age 

  • The most common weaning age is around 10 weeks, which allows lambs to develop sufficient rumen function and adapt to consuming solid feed. 
  • You might want to wean early, which occurs at around 6 to 8 weeks. Early weaning reduces the nutritional demands on the ewe when environmental conditions cause limited pasture availability. However, this requires careful management to ensure lambs receive adequate nutrition. 

Weight 

  • Lambs should weigh approximately 2.5 to 3 times their birth weight before being weaned. A target of 33 to 55 pounds is typical, depending on the breed. 
  • Undersized or weak lambs might require additional time with their mothers or supplemental feeding. 

Feed Intake 

  • Lambs should consume adequate solid feed—usually around 0.5 pounds per day of quality creep feed or pasture forage—to support their growth without milk before weaning. 
  • Rumen development is essential for successful weaning, so offering high-quality forage and creep feed early helps prepare lambs for the transition. 

Health & Ewe Condition 

  • Ewes in poor condition may benefit from earlier weaning to allow them time to recover before the next breeding season. 
  • So, still wondering when to wean lambs? It may sound obvious, but when they are healthy and thriving. Stress from illness or environmental change can compromise a lamb’s immune system. 

Preparing for Weaning 

Proper weaning preparation minimizes stress and warrants a smooth transition for both lambs and ewes. Follow these five key steps before and when you wean: 

  1. Creep Feeding 
  • Introduce creep feed to lambs around 2 to 3 weeks old. Use a high-protein, easily digestible feed to support growth and rumen development. 
  • Place creep feeders in areas easily accessible to lambs but not to ewes.  
  1. Vaccinations 
  • Ensure lambs are vaccinated for clostridial diseases and other common illnesses before weaning. This helps protect them during the stressful weaning period. 
  1. Grouping 
  • Keep lambs in familiar groups to reduce stress and maintain social bonds. 
  • Separate ewes and lambs gradually, if possible (an easy way to do this is with adjacent pens), to ease the transition. 
  1. Health Checks 
  • Check lambs for signs of illness, lameness or parasites before weaning. Treat any health issues promptly. 
  1. Weaning Environment 
  • Ensure lambs have access to clean water, quality forage and creep feed in a secure and sheltered area. 
  • Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and the risk of disease. 

Weaning Methods 

As sheep producers decide when to wean lambs, they have several methods to choose from. They should select the best method in their operation scenario that causes the least stress on them, the lamb and the ewe.   

Abrupt Weaning 

This system involves completely separating lambs and ewes on a specific day. While straightforward, it can cause significant stress if not managed carefully. 

Gradual Weaning 

Gradual weaning consists of reducing the time lambs spend with their mothers over several days or weeks. This method is less stressful but requires more labor and resources. 

Fence-Line Weaning 

In this method, you separate lambs and ewes with a secure fence but ensure they remain within sight and sound of each other. This reduces stress while allowing the lambs to adapt to independence. 

Post-Weaning Lamb Care 

Now that we’ve discussed when to wean lambs, let’s talk what comes next. After they are weaned, lambs continually require attention to ensure they remain healthy and continue to grow. Our team has outlined some simple steps to ensure your lambs continue to thrive after weaning. 

Nutrition 

Provide high-quality forage, such as fresh pasture or hay, and supplemental feed if necessary. Post-weaning diets should contain around 16% protein to support growth. DuraFerm offers protein tubs for sheep that are ideal for the lamb creep pen. The DuraFerm® Concept•Aid® Sheep Protein Tub offers 16% natural protein, along with AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Additionally, it supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals and high levels of vitamin E, which is important to the future of replacement ewes in the flock. 

Monitor feed intake and adjust the diet to balance energy, protein and fiber. 

Water 

Ensure lambs have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can intensify weaning stress and reduce feed intake. If your lambs are hesitant about drinking, try adding a product like Sure Champ® Liquid Boost® to their water. Liquid Boost contains flavoring to help drive intake of feed or water. Furthermore, it contains Amaferm and MOS that help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. 

Health Monitoring 

Watch for signs of illness, such as diarrhea, coughing or lethargy. Weaning stress can weaken the immune system, making lambs more susceptible to disease. If your weaned lambs experience diarrhea, you might want to give them Sure Champ® Clench Gel. This gel for all livestock supports normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. It also contains Amaferm, MOS and electrolytes to support rehydration. 

Check for parasites, particularly gastrointestinal worms, and implement a deworming program if needed. 

Shelter & Comfort 

Provide adequate shelter to protect lambs from extreme weather conditions. Ensure bedding is clean and dry to reduce the risk of infections. 

Growth Monitoring 

Weigh lambs regularly to track growth rates and adjust their diet if necessary. Healthy growth indicates successful weaning and proper nutrition. 

Ewe Care After Weaning 

The ewes are also an important part of the weaning equation. Ewes require attention post-weaning to ensure their recovery and readiness for the next breeding season. Follow these 3 simple steps to help the mamas during post-weaning: 

  1. Reduce Feed 

Gradually reduce the ewe’s feed intake to lower milk production and prevent mastitis. Move ewes to a low-quality pasture or restrict feed for a few days if necessary. 

  1. Monitor for Mastitis 

Check udders regularly for signs of swelling, heat or abnormal discharge, which may indicate mastitis. Treat affected ewes promptly. 

  1. Recovery 

Allow ewes time to regain body condition before breeding. This may involve supplemental feeding, especially for thin ewes. 

Common Challenges & Solutions 

Weaning lambs can present several challenges, but proactive management can alleviate these issues. 

Stress 

Minimize stress by weaning lambs in familiar environments and maintaining group cohesion. The fence-line weaning or gradual separation methods will cause the least stress on the fresh-weaned lambs. Reduced stress leads to reduced illnesses and more time eating and growing. 

Illness & Parasites 

Vaccinate lambs before weaning and monitor their health closely. Address any health issues immediately.  

Implement a deworming program and rotate pastures to reduce parasite loads.  

Reduced Performance 

Ensure lambs have access to high-quality feed, water and a DuraFerm Protein Tub. Monitor their weight regularly to identify and address growth delays. 

Mastitis in Ewes 

Gradually reduce feed for ewes, which will help dry up their udder. Monitor their udders to prevent and detect mastitis early. 

DuraFerm Can Help 

DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production. DuraFerm is just as crucial during weaning as it is through lactation and the rebreeding cycles! You will want to continue to feed DuraFerm throughout the year. And yes, we do offer more than just the protein tub. Learn more about all of our DuraFerm products online

Best of all, DuraFerm products use the latest technology and organic trace minerals to improve reproductive success in sheep and goats. If you’re looking to take your operation to the next level, DuraFerm has your back.    

BioZyme, a leading fermentation company pioneering advancements in animal nutrition and health, developed DuraFerm. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance and support producer profitability in the agricultural industry.       

Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your operation.    

Get your DuraFerm Today        

We’ve reviewed when to wean lambs. What else do you need to know? We mentioned the DuraFerm Sheep Protein Tub, Sure Champ Liquid Boost and Sure Champ Clench Gel. The good news is we make a plethora of products to help answer your challenges around the barn. 

Even though the time when to wean lambs might be a while away, make sure you have DuraFerm and Sure Champ products on hand.  

DuraFerm and Sure Champ are available through the extensive BioZyme dealer network. Locate a dealer near you today. DuraFerm offers products that support reproduction, resilience and retention. What more could you ask for?      

You can also gather more information about DuraFerm from our educational blog series or by signing up for our newsletter.  

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