Livestock - Sheep Nutrition

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Feeding Apparatus

  • trugg
  • creep feeder
    • gaps only big enough for lambs
  • hay net
  • ring feeder/hay feeder
  • trough
  • manger
    • metal hay feeder
  • feed wagon
  • hopper
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Sheep Feeding

  • feeding usually takes place when housing indoors (e.g., for lambing)
    • traditional diets
      • country mix/ruminant mix
    • e.g., roughages, concentrates, blocks/licks, fodder beet/turnips
  • ability to recognise different life stages
    • lactation
    • post weaning
    • pre and post mating
    • mid to late pregnancy
  • group of sheep is called a flock
  • feed sheep as a flock
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Bringing in Ewes

  • singles = 4 weeks
  • twins = 6 weeks
  • triplets = 8 weeks
    • may need more help
    • don't tend to go full term
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Bringing in Ewes: Multiples

  • for twins
    • 6 weeks prior to lambing = 200 grams extra
    • 4 weeks prior to lambing = 400 grams extra
    • 2 weeks prior to lambing = 600 grams extra
  • for triplets
    • 2 weeks prior to lambing = 800 grams
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Lamb Feeding

  • concentrate feed called intensive lamb pellets
  • fed ad lib
    • access always
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Grazing Patterns

  • continuous grazing
    • free range of whole field
  • rotational/intensive
    • only allow a certain section
  • *****
    • cordon off an area
  • creep feeding and grazing
    • lambs get extra nutrition
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Factors to Consider

  • faecal consistency
    • normal faeces = formed pellets
    • diarrhoea/scouring/loose motions
      • could be a symptom of worms
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Prophylactic

  • worm before turning out into the field
  • myiasis (fly strike)
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Husbandry and Diet

  • done quietly and in order
    • no chasing by dogs
  • fixed routine, regularly followed will ensure contented flock
    • feed at the same time of day
  • competitive eaters
    • feed flocks dependent on size and age
  • grass forms the base of their diet with hay silage or concentrates in winter or at other times of shortage
  • 1.5 - 2.5 inches long grass is best for sheep
    • won't graze if the grass is too muddy
    • won't graze if slurry is spread
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