Sheep Nutrition

8 Pages 1904 Words

ed, growthier ewes that can produce multiple lambs has resulted in ewes that also have the ability to produce more milk. This improved genetic potential makes it necessary to provide today’s highly productive ewe with higher levels of minerals, energy and protein in order for her to reach her potential.
The protein in the ewe’s diet should contain a portion of rapidly digested protein to be used by the rumen microbes in the digestion of forage fiber and a portion of bypass protein to supply the ewe’s tissue with essential amino acids. Ensuring proper energy intake is also critical to maintaining productivity. Adequate energy to help the ewe lamb reach puberty and conceive is often lacking in high forage diets. Energy is also closely correlated to milk production. A nutritional program that provides a balance of quality protein sources and adequate energy sources is necessary to maintain the productivity level of the breeding flock.












lamb Nutrition

Encouraging early intake of a highly digestible creep feed that contains a balance of energy and protein for muscle growth along with a balance of minerals for skeletal development is critical to optimize growth in the young lamb. In addition, getting a lamb started on solid feed at a young age facilitates early weaning. Protein sources should be used that provide the necessary profile of essential amino acids (bypass protein) that can be used by the lamb prior to and after the full development of the rumen. As the lamb continues to grow, feed intake increases and lean growth per day starts to decline (see cha...