When venturing into the world of sheep farming, one of the most daunting tasks is determining what to feed your flock. It’s crucial to understand not only what to provide but also what to avoid. Unlike people, sheep don’t require specialized feeds, which can be a departure from experiences with other livestock like chickens, ducks, or pigs. Despite this complexity, sheep are straightforward animals that thrive on simplicity and ease of feeding.
With some basic knowledge, you’ll be able to feed your sheep efficiently and affordably, even on a limited budget.
Understanding the Digestive System
Sheep’s unique digestive system is characterized by a four-chambered stomach, allowing them to efficiently break down and extract nutrients from their diet. This process, known as rumination, involves regurgitating food, re-chewing it, and then swallowing it again. While sheep are not the only animals that engage in this behavior, they are one of over 150 species that belong to this classification, including bison, goats, cows, deer, and buffalo.
As intermediate grazers, sheep have the ability to consume a wide range of forage, from high-quality grasses to low-quality hay. Newborn lambs, however, lack functioning rumens and rely on their mother’s milk until they are old enough to transition to a highly digestible creep feed. This helps develop the rumen and prepares it for its role in the digestive process. When mature, the rumen functions simply as a storage space, holding food until it is regurgitated, re-chewed, and then re-swallowed.
Sheep typically rest during this process, allowing them to thoroughly digest their food. In fact, sheep spend several hours each day engaged in cud-chewing behavior. The rumen is also home to an array of microorganisms, including bacteria, which play a crucial role in breaking down fibrous feeds like hay that would be indigestible to other animals.
As these microorganisms work their magic, you may notice your sheep emitting the occasional belch – a natural and amusing byproduct of their unique digestive process.
Common Problems with Feeding Sheep
Raising Sheep With Other Species
When integrating sheep with other farm animals like goats and chickens, it’s crucial to exercise caution. One essential consideration is ensuring sheep don’t access the grain or mineral supplements intended for other species. The reason lies in the potential risks posed by excessive mineral intake. For instance, sheep can be harmed by too much copper, which can even prove fatal if consumed in large quantities.
To mitigate this risk, it’s vital to keep all feed supplies out of reach from your flock.
Feeding Poisonous Plants
In the majority of the United States, there are limited plant species that pose a risk to sheep. While some weeds can be detrimental to their health, such as ragwort, bracken, and capewood, which commonly infest pastures, the bigger concern lies in allowing sheep to graze on garden spaces. It’s crucial to avoid feeding them toxic plants like foxglove, rhododendrons, and oleander, as they can be fatal if ingested.
To ensure your sheep’s safety, it’s essential to thoroughly identify each plant in your garden and confirm its non-toxicity before allowing the clippings to enter their grazing area.
Failing to Pay Attention
Feeding your sheep hay wrapped in string or twine requires extra attention to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation. The crucial step is ensuring that every shred of the wrapping material is removed before allowing your flock to graze. Failure to do so can lead to devastating blockages, posing a significant risk to your sheep’s health and even their lives.
Not Providing Enough Pasture
The amount of pasture needed for your sheep depends on several factors, including soil quality, rainfall, forage growth, and management practices. Additionally, plant growth rates vary across seasons. For instance, an acre of pasture in the spring or fall can support more sheep than during a dry season, although this is location-specific. To determine the ideal pasture amount for your flock, you’ll need to monitor both your pasture and animals closely.
One effective way to optimize pasture space is through rotational grazing. This involves limiting your sheep’s access to specific areas while allowing other sections to regrow. By doing so, you can ensure that your pastures remain healthy and productive over time.
Types of Feed For Your Sheep
Pasture
Sheep are known to be opportunistic grazers, consuming a diverse range of pasture plants including legumes, grasses, and forbs. In fact, when given the freedom to roam in a pasture, they tend to favor forbs over other types of vegetation. Forbs are broadleaf plants that produce flowers, and sheep will often seek them out as a primary food source. While some breeds may also consume woodier growth, providing a diverse array of plants can offer additional nutritional benefits.
When establishing a new pasture, it’s recommended to seed a mix of legumes and grasses, but avoid over-seeding with too many species at once. This can lead to competition for resources and hinder the development of each plant type. Forage mixtures should be carefully considered, with options including legumes like alfalfa, white clover, and red clover, as well as sod-forming grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass.
Bunch grasses such as orchardgrass and perennial ryegrass can also be effective components of a forage mix. A good starting point is to choose one plant type from each category to ensure a balanced pasture.
Hay and Stored Feed
When pasture is scarce or unavailable, stored feed takes center stage for sheep farming. A variety of options are available, including hay, silage, green chop, and balayage, along with crop by-products. While hay remains the most popular choice, silage and haylage can also be fed to sheep, provided they’re properly fermented and stored in airtight silos to prevent spoilage.
However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when feeding silage or haylage, as moldy feed can lead to listeriosis – a potentially fatal disease for sheep.
Grain
Sheep have a strong affinity for grain, likened to a human’s craving for rich desserts. However, it is crucial to regulate their grain intake, as overeating can occur easily. While providing occasional grain is acceptable, care must be taken not to overindulge them. Interestingly, whole grain is the healthier option for sheep, as it encourages them to grind their own grain and reduces the likelihood of digestive issues.
Furthermore, supplementing grain with added nutrients is essential for animals with heightened nutritional requirements, such as pregnant ewes nearing the end of their gestation period.
Salt and Mineral Supplementation
When it comes to providing optimal nutrition for your flock, ensuring free access to sheep-formulated minerals is essential. You can opt for a mineral block or loose minerals, as sheep will only consume what they need when they’re hungry.
A high-quality sheep supplement typically includes a blend of calcium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorous, vitamin A, potassium, sulfur, vitamin D, and magnesium, with smaller amounts of other essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, cobalt, iodine, copper, iron, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, and selenium. Crucially, it’s vital to use a sheep-specific supplement rather than an all-stock or mixed sheep-goat formula.
These generic supplements often contain excessive levels of copper, which can be toxic for sheep in large quantities – a risk that’s ten times higher for sheep compared to goats.
Snacks
While it’s true that a balanced diet of pasture and occasional grain is sufficient for most sheep, it’s hard to deny the pleading gaze of these lovable animals. If you do decide to indulge them with treats, be sure to do so in moderation. Some acceptable options include black oil sunflower seeds, which can actually enhance their coat quality. Additionally, alfalfa cubes are a great choice for female sheep only.
Other healthy and tasty treat options for your flock might include: carrots, apples, celery, lettuce, grapes, oats, pumpkin, pears, watermelon, and squash.
The Right Way to Feed Sheep
Get the Right Equipment
When it comes to providing for your sheep’s nutritional needs, having the right feeders and watering systems is crucial. You’ll want to invest in at least three separate feeders: one for hay, one for grain, and one for minerals. A shape-friendly feeder designed specifically for sheep is necessary for feeding out hay, as they won’t eat it if it’s been trampled underfoot. This will not only keep your living space clean but also reduce waste, ultimately saving you money.
Avoid using feeders meant for other animals, like horses, as their designs can pose a risk of sheep getting their heads stuck inside. Basic troughs are sufficient for feeding out grain and mineral supplements. For water, consider an automatic watering system or one with a thermostat for automated heating to minimize spillage and ensure your sheep stay hydrated in cold weather.
If you opt for a basic watering trough, remember to clean it regularly as sheep have a tendency to poop directly in the water supply!
How Much Feed Does One Sheep Need?
Sheep require a significant amount of nutrition to maintain optimal health, with an average daily intake of approximately 0.03 pounds of hay or pasture per pound of body weight. However, this caloric requirement can vary depending on factors such as age, reproductive status, and overall health. For instance, young, old, pregnant, lactating, or compromised sheep may need more sustenance to meet their energy demands.
Additionally, colder temperatures can also influence the amount of food needed to keep your flock comfortable. It’s essential to monitor their fiber intake as well, with a daily target of about one pound. If your sheep are not meeting this requirement, they may resort to undesirable behaviors like nibbling on wood or even their own wool. A simple yet effective way to gauge whether your flock is being under- or over-fed is by assessing their body condition score.
This involves evaluating the prominence of the backbone and the presence of fat deposits above the tail. If the backbone is visible, it may indicate that the sheep is underweight, while an excessive amount of fat in this area could suggest obesity.
What to Feed Baby Lambs
In the initial stages of life, a lamb’s primary requirement for health and growth is the rich milk provided by its mother. It’s crucial that newborn lambs receive colostrum within the first few hours after birth, as it not only aids in developing their immune systems but also helps prevent hypothermia. To ensure healthy development, lambs need to consume at least 10% of their body weight in colostrum during the first day.
Following this initial period, they will solely rely on milk until they reach around four to six weeks old, after which they’ll begin nibbling on solid foods like grass, hay, and grain. Ewes can naturally decide when to wean their young, or you can intervene earlier if necessary. For younger lambs, typically a few weeks old, creep feed is often provided as an added nutrition source alongside milk from their mothers.
However, it’s essential to use specialized feed designed for this purpose only, as lambs of this age cannot digest adult sheep feeds.
What to Feed Pregnant Ewes
To ensure a healthy and successful lambing experience for your pregnant and lactating ewes, proper nutrition is crucial. Many farmers make the mistake of assuming that sheep require increased calories throughout their entire pregnancy. However, this is not the case. The majority of lamb development occurs during the final four to six weeks of pregnancy, making it essential to boost nutritional intake at this time.
This is particularly important for ewes in poor condition, as they are more susceptible to pregnancy toxemia and may deliver lighter, weaker lambs. On average, a 150-pound ewe requires around four and a half pounds of feed per day during her final gestation period. When increasing the ewe’s diet, it’s essential to do so gradually, rather than making an abrupt change. This can be achieved by incrementally adding more feed or providing free access to a hay feeder.
Similarly, when ewes are lactating, it’s vital to provide sufficient additional feed, typically up to one pound more than during pregnancy, primarily in the first six to eight weeks after lambing. It’s also important to note that ewes delivering twins or triplets require even more nutrients, as they produce at least 20-30% more milk than those rearing singles.
By ensuring adequate nutrition for your pregnant and lactating ewes, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and stress-free lambing season.
Feeding in the Winter
During the winter months, sheep require a higher level of nutrition to maintain their body heat. While it’s possible to continue feeding them the same summer staples, keep in mind that cold climates may not offer suitable pasture conditions. To ensure you’re providing enough hay for your flock, consider various factors, such as the number and size of your sheep, the quality of the hay, and the prevailing winter weather. Running out of hay can be a concern if left unchecked.
To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to establish a reliable source of hay and monitor your sheep’s consumption closely. One effective way to manage winter feeding is to provide free access to their food, allowing them to regulate their intake based on their individual needs. This approach generally prevents overfeeding, but it’s still crucial to keep an eye out for any signs of excessive eating. The only exception to this rule is water consumption.
Sheep tend to drink significantly more during the summer (up to 12 times more), whereas in the winter, they typically require less water, unless they’re pregnant or lactating.
Feeding Sheep for Slaughter
When it comes to finishing lambs or adult sheep, a common approach is to combine pasture grazing with supplemental grain feeding. This dual approach allows for a balance between the nutritional benefits of pasture-raised animals and the efficiency of grain-based diets. The result is often leaner and healthier meat compared to that produced by grain-fed sheep alone.
How to Cut the Costs of Feeding Sheep
To minimize expenses when feeding sheep, consider adopting more efficient pasture management techniques. Not only will this lead to healthier and more productive animals, but it also eliminates the need for expensive feed, aside from labor and seed costs. By educating yourself on sheep nutrition and identifying cost-cutting opportunities, you can significantly reduce your expenses.
If acquiring additional pasture is not feasible, explore renting options or consider bartering with neighbors who may be willing to provide free access in exchange for lawn maintenance services. Additionally, ensure your flock has ample access to clean water and implement measures to control parasites, which can lead to significant weight loss if left unchecked. By maintaining a cost-conscious approach, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of sheep farming.
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Watering Your Sheep
Water is a vital component in providing for sheep, with the amount needed varying depending on breed, climate, size, and production status. While some producers may suggest that sheep can survive an entire winter without fresh water, this approach has its drawbacks. Not only can it lead to contamination risks but also dehydration, as the animal’s body must work harder to warm up the snow-derived water. In reality, most sheep require around one to two gallons of freshwater daily.
What Not to Feed Sheep
While it’s tempting to imagine the joys of sharing snacks with your flock of sheep, there are certain foods that you should approach with caution. In fact, some edibles can even pose a risk to their health if consumed excessively or in large quantities.
Bread
While it may seem harmless, feeding bread to sheep in large quantities can have unintended consequences. While moderate consumption might not cause significant issues, overindulgence can contribute to weight gain and a range of related health problems.
Blue-Green Algae
While it may seem far-fetched to think about feeding blue-green algae to your sheep, it’s essential to consider the potential risks involved. This type of algae thrives in warm, slow-moving waters and can be deadly toxic to sheep if ingested. As a precautionary measure, always monitor your water supply during warm weather to prevent algae growth and ensure the safety of your flock.
Alfalfa
When incorporating alfalfa into your sheep’s diet, it’s essential to exercise moderation. While small quantities can be safely fed to sheep, particularly for young lambs and expectant mothers, grazing on pasture dominated by alfalfa is not recommended. This is because the high protein and calcium content of alfalfa can lead to urinary blockages and obesity issues. As a rule of thumb, treat alfalfa as an occasional reward rather than a staple component of their diet.
In fact, it’s crucial to limit its consumption to specific situations, such as feeding young babies or pregnant females – avoid providing it to castrated males altogether.
Animal Products
It’s crucial to ensure that sheep are not consuming any animal-derived products, such as meat or dairy, as these substances can have adverse effects on their health. The ingestion of these items can lead to a range of issues, from mild discomfort to serious harm. For this reason, it’s essential to provide a diet that is free from animal-based ingredients and focus on offering them wholesome, plant-based alternatives instead.
Certain Plants
When it comes to feeding your sheep, it’s crucial to be aware of certain plants that can be toxic to them. This is because some plants contain harmful toxins or have an excessive amount of a nutrient that can cause digestive issues in sheep.
To ensure the health and well-being of your flock, make sure to avoid providing any of the following items and restrict their access to pastures where these plants are present: Avocado, Bracken ferns, Broccoli, Turnips, Cabbage, Buttercup, Azaleas, Cassava, Cherry trees, Elderberry trees, Kale, Chokecherry trees, Plum trees, Hemlock, Lilacs, Holly trees, Lily of the valley, Ponderosa pine, Potato, Poppy, Milkweed, and any nightshades. Additionally, Mountain laurel, Red maple, Rhubarb, St.
John’s Wort, and Yew should also be avoided.
What to Keep in Mind When Feeding Sheep
As you follow the general guidelines outlined above, it’s essential to recognize that each sheep in your flock is unique, with its own distinct nutritional requirements, preferences, and quirks. To truly thrive as a shepherd, it’s crucial to develop a personal connection with each individual, observing their behavior, habits, and reactions on a daily basis.
By doing so, you’ll gain valuable insight into what makes each sheep tick, allowing you to tailor your care accordingly and cultivate a happy, healthy flock.
