Finishing Lambs
Feeder lambs may be retained for finishing or sold to finishing
operations. The size of the feeding operation can vary greatly.
Weights of feeder lambs range from 50-90 lb, with the greatest
demand being for 65-75 lb meat-type lambs. For lambs that are
shipped to finishing operations, the first two weeks following
arrival is critical to getting lambs off to a fast, efficient
start on feed. Shipped lambs may be stressed due to handling and
hauling, infectious disease exposure, excitement, environment
changes, and diet changes. Consult with a veterinarian in
developing an arrival health program to minimize health
challenges. With good management, death loss will typically only
average 2%. The following guidelines can help reduce stress and
health challenges in shipped lambs:
Do not delay transport from range to
feedlot.
Provide unlimited supply of clean,
fresh water and locate waterers in areas easily accessible to
lambs.
Upon arrival, sort and group lambs
by size.
Treat for internal and external
parasites and vaccinate for enterotoxemia.
Shear if needed.
Provide good-quality hay.
Gradually introduce lambs to feed.
Carefully evaluate lambs daily and
move sick/weak lambs to isolation pen for treatment.
For highly stressed lambs, allow
ample time for lambs to rest and consume water and feed before
processing.
Sophisticated facilities are not
required for finishing lambs. Facility needs are dictated by
location of feedlot (south versus north, for instance). Regardless
of geographic location, finishing lots should be designed to
facilitate drainage to prevent muddy lot conditions. Locate feed
troughs and waterers on high ground, in easily accessed areas,
preferably with concrete aprons. Ensure feeders and waterers are
kept clean. Space requirements depend on type of finishing
operation. Suggested space needs are given in Table 2.
Table 2
Space Requirements for Finishing Lambs
Shelter
6-8 sq.
ft./lamb
Lot
15-20 sq.
ft./lamb
Confinement
Slotted
floor
4-5 sq.
ft./lamb
Solid
floor
8-10 sq.
ft./lamb
Feeder
space
Group-fed
9-12
inches/lamb
Self-fed
3-4
inches/lamb
Water space
Tank
25-40
lambs/ft. of tank perimeter
Automatic bowl
50-75
lambs/bowl
Feeding Management: The amount of time
needed to finish a lamb depends on type of lamb, starting weight,
rate of gain, desired market weight, and feeding program.
Finishing programs vary greatly depending on type of operation,
which impacts length of feeding period. Lambs may be self-feed
(free access to feed at all times) or hand-fed. Less labor and
feeder space are needed when self-feeding lambs; however,
producers need to ensure that lambs are not without feed once
started on a self-feeding program. For maximum gains, lambs should
be placed on feed as rapidly as possible taking care to use
step-up rations when finishing lambs on high-grain rations. Lambs
that are hand-fed are usually fed once or twice daily. Table 3
lists amount of protein suggested for various complete lamb feeds.
Table 3 Suggested Protein
Percentage for Complete Lamb Diets
Growth Potential
Production
Phase
Rapid
Moderate
Birth to weaning
21% protein creep
21% protein creep
Weaning to 60 lb
18% protein
Weaning to 45 lb
18% protein
60 – 85 lb
15% protein
45 – 85 lb
15% protein
85 lb to market weight
12.5% protein
12.5% protein
Provide unlimited supply of clean, fresh water
and mineral supplementation as desired.
Ration composition is dependent upon availability and cost of feed
ingredients, management, and size, age, and health of lambs.
High-grain rations are typically used for finishing heavy feeder
lambs. Lambs that are weaned early need more nutrient dense
rations to take advantage of their rapid growth potential.
Gains for finishing lambs average 0.5 lb/hd/day. Feed consumption
typically ranges from 3.75-4% of body weight (for example, a 75 lb
lamb will consume 2.8-3 lb/day). Feed efficiency will depend on
nutritional adequacy of the ration and how old the lamb was at
weaning. Table 4 lists typical feed efficiency ratios. Feed
efficiency improves when lambs are fed higher energy dense rations
(lower fiber) and when weaned early. Growth stimulants and feed
additives are often used to promote growth and feed efficiency.
Additives to control/prevent coccidiosis are also commonly used.
Lasalocid (Bovatec®*) is the most common feed additive used to
prevent coccidiosis and promote growth.
Table 4 Typical Feed
Efficiency Ratios for Feeder Lambs
Lambs Weaned at 6-10
Weeks
Lambs Weaned at 5-7
Months
Lamb Weight,
lb
(lb feed/lb gain)
40-60
3.5
-
60-80
4.75
5.0
80-100
5.75
6.5
100-120
8.0
8.5
120+
9.0
10.0
*Not a trademark of ADM.
Roughage
Feeding Program:
Small groups of lambs are sometimes fed a grain-concentrate mix in
a trough or self-feeder along with hay in a separate rack. If
silage is fed, it can be mixed with the grain-concentrate or
placed in a trough and the grain-concentrate top-dressed on it.
Feeding tips:
Start feeding feeder lambs ½ - ¾ lb
of a grain-concentrate mix per head daily, full feed hay and/or
silage.
Increase grain-concentrate mix by
0.1 lb/hd/day over the next 2 to 2 ½ weeks until lambs are on
full feed.
Full feed has been reached when
lambs are consuming 3.75-4% of body weight in total feed.
At full feed, proportions should be
20% forage and 80% grain-concentrate mix.
2.5-3 lb of silage is equivalent to
1 lb of hay.
High-Grain
Finishing Program:
While sheep can efficiently utilize forages, they can also produce
fast, efficient gains when fed high-grain diets. However, from a
feed management standpoint a small amount of forage will help
avoid digestive disturbances compared to a diet devoid of forage.
The goal of feeding high-grain diets is to produce faster gains,
better feed efficiency, and improved carcass characteristics,
leading to greater profit opportunities. Feeding tips:
Gradually change lambs from
arrival/starter ration to all-concentrate ration over a period
of two weeks.
Use of whole shelled corn will
eliminate processing cost.
Ensure feed is kept fresh. Do not
allow stale feed to accumulate in troughs.
Use only good-quality grains.
Corn can be fed whole; coarse crack
or flake other grains. ·
Avoid fines in the ration.
Do not allow lambs to go without
feed when on a self-feeding program.
Up to 3% fat may be used in rations
to boost energy intake.
Molasses (4-5% replacement for
grain) can be incorporated into finishing rations to increase
palatability and water consumption. Molasses also reduces ration
dustiness.
