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SHEEP CARE GUIDE

Congratulations on Your New Southdown Babydoll Sheep!

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Thank you for choosing a Southdown Babydoll Sheep from Ebenezer Farms! We’re honored you’ve trusted us with your newest family member. Our lambs are raised with daily care, proper nutrition, and lots of love to give them the very best start in life. This guide will help your new sheep transition smoothly into its new home.

 

Feeding

Bottle Feeding

At Ebenezer Farms, our bottle lambs are started on a schedule of four feedings per day:

  • 8:00 AM

  • 12:00 PM

  • 4:00 PM

  • 8:00 PM

During the first few days after birth or when adjusting to bottle feeding, we monitor each lamb closely to ensure they are receiving enough milk. Every lamb is different, so we don’t rely solely on ounces—we evaluate each lamb individually.

After every feeding, gently feel your lamb’s belly. It should feel comfortably full and slightly firm, but never tight or overly distended. Overfeeding can cause digestive upset and can be just as harmful as underfeeding. Some lambs will stop nursing when they’re full, while others will continue sucking long after they’ve had enough, so it’s important not to let appetite alone determine how much they receive.

Always feed milk warm (approximately 100–103°F) using clean, sanitized bottles and nipples.

 

Birth to 2 Weeks

Feed 4 bottles per day, gradually increasing each feeding to approximately 4–6 ounces by the end of the second week.

By the third day, begin offering:

  • Fresh, clean water

  • High-quality grass hay

  • Sheep-specific loose minerals (without added copper)

These early introductions help develop a healthy rumen, even though milk remains their primary source of nutrition.

 

Weeks 3–4

Increase bottle feedings to approximately 6–8 ounces per feeding, continuing 4 feedings per day through the third week.

If your lamb is:

  • Eating hay well

  • Growing appropriately

  • Healthy and energetic

You can begin transitioning to 3 bottles per day:

  • 8:00 AM

  • 2:00 PM

  • 8:00 PM

If the weather is especially cold, your lamb is smaller than average, or you have any concerns about growth or health, continue feeding four bottles per day for another week. Every lamb develops at a different pace, so always let the individual lamb—not just its age—guide your feeding schedule.

 

Weeks 5–6

Continue feeding 3 bottles per day:

  • 8:00 AM

  • 2:00 PM

  • 8:00 PM

By this age, lambs should be eating hay, nibbling lamb starter feed, drinking water, and grazing with the flock whenever appropriate.

If your lamb is thriving, growing well, and consistently eating solid food, you may reduce to 2 bottles per day during week six:

  • 8:00 AM

  • 8:00 PM

If growth, weather, illness, stress, or any other concerns arise, continue three bottles per day until your lamb is ready.

 

Weeks 7 Through Weaning

By the beginning of week 7, most lambs can transition to one bottle per day.

Bottle lambs at Ebenezer Farms are generally weaned around 8 weeks of age, provided they are:

  • Eating hay well

  • Consuming lamb starter feed regularly

  • Drinking water independently

  • Maintaining healthy weight gain

  • Growing similarly to dam-raised lambs

Some owners choose to continue bottle feeding beyond 8 weeks, which is perfectly acceptable if milk is available. However, lambs should receive milk until at least 8 weeks of age for proper development.

 

How to Reduce Bottle Feedings

There are two acceptable methods:

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Gradual Reduction

Reduce the amount of milk in one feeding for several days before removing that feeding from the schedule.

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Remove One Feeding

If your lamb is healthy, growing well, and eating solid feed consistently, you may simply eliminate one bottle from the daily schedule.

Whichever method you choose, make sure your lamb always has unlimited access to hay, fresh water, sheep minerals, and appropriate lamb feed to replace the nutrients previously supplied by milk.

Remember: Every bottle lamb is different. Weather, stress, illness, growth rate, and appetite all affect how quickly a lamb is ready to reduce bottles or wean. It’s usually better to keep a healthy lamb on bottles a little longer than to wean too early.

 

Hay & Pasture

Southdown Babydoll Sheep thrive on quality pasture and high-quality grass hay. Hay should always be available when pasture is limited or during the winter months.

Rotate grazing areas whenever possible to promote healthy pasture and help reduce parasite pressure.

 

Fresh Water

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

Check water daily, especially during hot weather or freezing temperatures.

 

Minerals

Provide a sheep-specific loose mineral that contains no added copper. Sheep are much more sensitive to copper than goats, so never offer goat minerals to your sheep.

 

Housing

Provide your sheep with:

  • A clean, dry shelter protected from rain, snow, and wind

  • Plenty of clean bedding

  • Good ventilation without drafts

  • Secure fencing to protect them from predators

Southdown Babydoll Sheep are flock animals and should always have the companionship of other sheep whenever possible.

 

Health Care

Observe your sheep every day.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

  • Loss of appetite

  • Persistent diarrhea

  • Fever

  • Coughing

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Weakness or extreme lethargy

  • Pale eyelids or gums

  • Swelling beneath the jaw (bottle jaw)

Routine hoof trimming, parasite management, and vaccinations should be discussed with your veterinarian based on your location and management practices.

 

Hoof Care

Check your sheep’s hooves regularly and trim them as needed to prevent overgrowth and lameness. Proper hoof care is an important part of maintaining a healthy flock.

 

Parasite Management

Internal parasites are one of the most common health concerns in sheep.

Help reduce parasite pressure by:

  • Rotating pastures regularly

  • Avoiding overgrazing

  • Keeping hay and feed off the ground when possible

  • Monitoring body condition and eyelid color regularly

  • Working with your veterinarian on a parasite management program appropriate for your area

 

Heat Stress

Although Southdown Babydoll Sheep are hardy animals, they still need protection from excessive heat.

During warm weather:

  • Provide shade.

  • Ensure unlimited fresh water.

  • Shear annually before the hottest part of summer.

  • Watch for heavy panting, weakness, or lethargy.

 

Common Health Concerns

Internal Parasites

Watch for weight loss, pale eyelids, weakness, or bottle jaw.

Foot Problems

Regular hoof trimming and dry footing help prevent foot rot and other hoof issues.

Scours (Diarrhea)

Can result from stress, sudden feed changes, overfeeding, or illness. Keep your lamb hydrated and contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist.

 

Supplies We Recommend

Before bringing your sheep home, we recommend having:

  • ✓ High-quality grass hay

  • ✓ Lamb starter feed

  • ✓ Sheep-specific loose minerals (no added copper)

  • ✓ Fresh water bucket or trough

  • ✓ Livestock thermometer

  • ✓ Hoof trimmers

  • ✓ Straw bedding

  • ✓ Secure fencing

  • ✓ Basic first-aid supplies

 

Helpful Tips

  • Handle your lamb regularly to build trust.

  • Keep feeding routines consistent.

  • Rotate pastures whenever possible.

  • Observe your sheep daily so you’ll notice changes quickly.

  • Schedule annual shearing.

  • Never keep a sheep alone—they thrive with other sheep.

 

We’re Here to Help

Purchasing a Southdown Babydoll Sheep from Ebenezer Farms means you’re part of our farm family. If you ever have questions about feeding, housing, health care, pasture management, or general sheep care, we’re always happy to help.

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Ebenezer Farms
Preston, Idaho


📧 info@ebenezerfarms.com
🌐 www.ebenezerfarms.com

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We hope you enjoy many wonderful years with your Southdown Babydoll Sheep!

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