Lambs can often be finished prior to
extremely hot weather.
Market lamb prices are generally
more favorable when fewer finished lambs are sold.
Creep feeding is especially
advantageous given the following situations:
Lambs will be weaned early (less
than 60 days of age).
Accelerated lambing system.
Lambs are born during the
fall/winter.
Under drought conditions.
With high lambing rate.
During unfavorable weather.
Creep Feeding Tips
Initiate creep feeding program at 10
days of age. Providing creep feed helps stimulate rumen
development.
Locate creep feeders in dry,
well-bedded, protected area.
On pasture, located creep feeders
near water sources, supplement feeders, and/or resting areas.
Use a palatable, nutritious ration
that will encourage feed intake and subsequent growth.
Construct creep barriers that will
exclude ewes while allowing lambs to access the creep area.
Openings should be approximately 6-10 inches wide by 18 inches
tall; adjust opening as lambs grow.
Use a feeder designed to keep
lambs from stepping into the trough.
Use highly palatable creep during
the first several weeks to entice feed consumption.
Target consumption of 0.5
lb/head/day from 20 days of age to weaning is needed to achieve
an increase in performance from creep feeding.
Weaning
Weaning age varies depending upon production situation. Weaning
may occur as early as three to four weeks of age up to five-six
months of age. The lamb’s rumen is sufficiently developed at 40-50
days of age to enable weaning without negative effects provided
the lamb weighs approximately 45 lb. At 40 days into lactation,
ewe milk production starts to rapidly decline. Lambs should be fed
the creep ration for 14 days post-weaning or switched to the
arrival/starter feed a week before weaning.
