Forage is the foundation of a breeding herd feeding program.
Supplemental nutrient needs will depend on forage quality and
quantity and production stage. Reproductive performance can be
impacted by nutritional status of the ewe. Poor body condition of
ewes can result in:
Delayed estrus
Lower conception rates
Fewer lambs born
Lighter birth and weaning weights
Weak lambs at birth
Higher feed costs in an attempt to
increase weight to reach optimum body condition
Body
Condition Scoring: One of the best and easiest to use
measures of nutritional status and potential reproductive
performance of the ewe is body condition scoring. Ewes are scored
by manually determining the degree of muscling and fat covering
around and over the vertebrae in the loin area. Condition scores
range from 0 (extremely thin) to 5 (extremely fat). Intermediate
scores (e.g. 2.5) can be accessed.
Figure 2A,
Figure 2B,
Figure 2C provides a
description of body condition scoring for sheep, while
Figure 3 depicts body condition score at various
production stages. Optimal body condition of ewes will vary
depending on production stage. At lambing, ewes should score 3.5
and at weaning body condition may drop to 2.5. Body condition
outside of these ranges may impact reproductive performance.
Flushing:
Increasing feed intake two to three weeks prior to the
breeding season may increase ovulation rate, increasing the
percent lamb crop potential and allows for an earlier, more
uniform lamb crop. Flushing can be accomplished by moving ewes to
better quality pasture or feeding mixed hay-grain concentrate mix
at 0.5-1 lb/head/day. Flushing should continue two to four weeks
into the breeding season and then feed should be gradually
withdrawn from ewes. Drastic reductions in feed intake during the
early gestation period may result in early embryonic death loss.
Gestation: Nutrient
requirements for pregnancy are only slightly above maintenance
needs during the first 15 weeks of gestation. Provided the ewe has
regained most of the early lactation weight loss during the last
eight to 10 weeks of lactation, the feeding program should be
quite simple. Suitable forage and a supplemental mineral-vitamin
product can supply ewe nutrient needs through the first two-thirds
of gestation. Since 70% of fetal growth occurs during the last
four to six weeks of gestation, supplemental nutrients will be
needed to build body condition and deliver strong, healthy lambs.
Periodically check body condition of ewes and adjust feeding
program if needed. Don’t confuse wool growth and lamb development
with body fleshing.
Lactation: Milk production
greatly increases nutrient need. Depending on breed, a ewe
produces 2-7.5 lb of milk daily. Ewes suckling twins have higher
nutrient needs than those nursing a single lamb. Ewes nursing
twins need a more nutrient dense diet. To facilitate proper
feeding, separate ewes with twins from ewes with single lambs.
Nutrient needs are greatest during the first four to six weeks,
with requirements declining thereafter. Ration adjustments are
needed to compensate for the varying nutrient needs during
lactation. Again, monitor body condition and adjust diet as
needed. An orphan lamb or lamb from ewe with insufficient milk or
nonfunctional udder should be grafted to a ewe with sufficient
milk to raise the orphan and its own lamb. Also, a weak lamb born
with a strong twin lamb maybe grafted.
Rams: During the mating
season, rams should be in good body condition (not fat). If rams
lack sufficient body condition, feed grain mix (approximately 1.5
to 2 lb/head/day) along with forage prior the breeding season.
Depending upon body condition, supplemental grain feeding may be
necessary for six weeks before and during the breeding season. To
ensure maximum sperm production, nutrient needs must be supplied
four to six weeks prior to the breeding season due to a lag time
in sperm production, and nutrient needs must continue to be met
throughout the breeding season. Heavily worked rams, especially
ram lambs, may need periodic rest periods during the breeding
period, provided a sufficient number of rams are available.
Tips for Feeding Ewes
When pasture/range quality declines,
supplement with good-quality hay or hay/silage mixture. If
forage provided is poor-quality, supplement ewes with a
high-protein sheep supplement.
Do not feed moldy hay or silage.
To prevent ketosis, ensure ewes gain
satisfactory body condition during the last four-six weeks of
gestation by feeding a well-balanced ration.
At lambing:
Ensure lambs consume six to eight
ounces of colostrum soon after birth to receive passive
immunity and unique nutrients supplied by colostrum. Maintain
a supply of colostrum for feeding to orphan or weak lambs.
Do not feed grain mix to the ewe
immediately following lambing.
Gradually increase grain-mix fed
over the next three feedings.
When lamb(s) begin consuming all
the milk produced by the ewe, feed 1-2 lb of grain mix daily
for ewes nursing single lambs and feed and 1.5-3 lb of grain
mix for ewes nursing multiple lambs. Continue to provide
good-quality forage free-choice.
At dry-off
(drying-off of heavy milking ewes is critical when
lambs are weaned early):
Five days prior to weaning
discontinue grain-mix feeding and reduce forage by one-half.
Restrict ewe water intake 1-1 1/2
days prior to weaning.
Remove all feed and water from
ewes 24 hours before weaning.
Suggested
Feeding Guidelines for the Sheep Breeding Flock*
Production
Stage
14%
Grain-Concentrate Mix
(lb/hd/day)
Growing and
replacement ewe lambs
1 – 1.5
Flushing
ewes (feed two weeks prior to turning in rams and continue for
first four weeks of breeding season)
0.5 – 1
Late
gestation (starting six weeks prior to lambing)
1 – 1.5
Lactation
(first six to eight weeks of lactation; nursing twins)
3
Lactation
(nursing single lamb)
2
Growing and
replacement ram lambs
2 – 3
Breeding
(mature) rams
1 - 2
*Adjust
grain-concentrate feeding rate based on desired body
condition, environment, etc.
