2023-2024 Market Lamb

[Show Sebright]

Do y’all think that if I give him more hay it will help balance his rumin? Like he only gets a handful a day. And if I take him off grain and only give him hat he stops eating grain like he’s protesting against it

 

[SageHill]

I always thought that sheep had to have more roughage than grain, but I have no idea why I thought that. My sheep get mostly straight alfalfa, some alfalfa pellets, and once in awhile cracked corn (usually in the winter).
But then you are needing him to get to a certain weight by a certain time so you've got that.

 

[Mini Horses]

Absolutely more hay. Slowly increase each day. Their rumen needs the fiber. Personally, I think that's a large part of his gut issues.

 

[Show Sebright]

Absolutely more hay. Slowly increase each day. Their rumen needs the fiber. Personally, I think that's a large part of his gut issues.

I was told that if they get to much alfalfa it’s bad for them. But he has a alfalfa orchid mix. So I think I’m good? Umm get to put to 2-3 handfuls

 

[SageHill]

I was told that if they get to much alfalfa it’s bad for them. But he has an alfalfa orchid mix. So I think I’m good? Umm get to put to 2-3 handfuls

All the sheep that I have worked with in training (teaching herding lessons) - since 1989 have been and are on 100% alfalfa.

 

[Baymule]

I have no experience with show sheep, but I think hay is limited so their sides don’t bulge out from their rumen. Straight slab sides with no grass belly. This makes it hard on the sheep, your boy is telling you that he needs more roughage. Alfalfa is considered to be pretty much a complete feed. You are going to have to play with this to find the right balance.

 

[Show Sebright]

I have no experience with show sheep, but I think hay is limited so their sides don’t bulge out from their rumen. Straight slab sides with no grass belly. This makes it hard on the sheep, your boy is telling you that he needs more roughage. Alfalfa is considered to be pretty much a complete feed. You are going to have to play with this to find the right balance.

Yeh that’s true. I have him a handful in the morning and I’ll do one tonight. I’ll start to make the handfuls bigger too.

 

[Show Sebright]

How much hay dose a non show sheep get?

 

[Baymule]

How much hay dose a non show sheep get?

Grass hay-all they want.
Alfalfa hay, 1/2 to 1 flake a day, depending on age and pregnancy.

 

[SageHill]

Mine about the same as @Baymule said - 1/2 - 1 flake a day. No, I don't weigh them. I also top off with about a handful or two of alfalfa pellets (100% alfalfa no additives). I've found if I break up the flakes they do a better job of eating it all. It's all put out in bunk feeders twice a day.
LOL a handful or two - my sheep would baaaa in their loudest ever baaa at me.