Comparing Ewe Rations

[Rdandersom]

I have some rations from a book that I would like to invite comments on.I have not had sheep for several years but I am thinking about getting a few again.I always fed hay and shelled corn but with the prices of hay now the idea that I could feed less hay and ear corn rather than more hay with shelled corn really appeals to me.The rations come from "The Begining Shepherds Manual" by Barbara Smith.My first instinctive reaction is that the ear corn rations can't be as good as the rations using shelled corn but welcome other opinions.

First 15 weeks pregnancy:3 1/2 lbs Hay vs 2 lbs hay and 1 lbs ground ear corn
Last 6 weeks pregnancy:4 1/4 lbs Hay and 1/2 lbs shelled corn vs 2 1/4 lbs hay ans2 lbs ground ear corn
Ewe with single lamb: 5 lbs hay and 1 lbs shelled corn vs 2 3/4 lbs hay and 3 lbs ground ear corn
Ewe with twins: 5 lbs Hay and 1 1/2 lbs shelled corn vs 2 3/4 lbs Hay and 3 1/2 lbs ground ear corn
maintenance : 3 lbs hay

I would be feeding good quality alfalfa hay in all cases with salt and mineral free choice.I may also be feeding some fresh cut alfalfa in the summer.I think the maintenance ration would benefit from feeding corn fodder or really good cereal straw in another feeder.

All opinions are appreciated.

 

[bonbean01]

Hello! If you look down the list of topics on here, you will come to:

Let's Look at our Different Feeding Practices *SHEEP

It has good information from different people that you might find helpful.

 

[SheepGirl]

Well the amount of feed you feed depends on the weight of the ewe. Larger breeds need more than smaller breeds. Maximize pasture if you have it available; it will keep costs down.

Do you have a breed in mind you want to raise (or a size of sheep)?

Usually roughage IS cheaper than grain, so I would check out the price/lb of hay and the price/lb of the feedstuffs you want to use. Usually the main nutrients that are worried about are Calcium, Phosphorus, and Protein, so if you can, find out the cost per nutrient...then if you need to balance a ration, you can increase the desired nutrient using the least cost feedstuff.

Some sheep producers use straw in place of hay in some parts of the ration..it may be cheaper for you. Or you can also look into alternative feedstuffs. Here's a good site: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/sheep/as989-2.htm#Alternatives (But you must also consider palatability--just 'cause you set it out there doesn't mean they're gonna eat it...the guy who runs Auderer Sheep Farm said this about alternative feedstuffs "A word of caution, lower costs feedstuffs are not always cheaper. In the summer of 2009 I fed a 35% gluten ration to my finishing lambs, which resulted in greatly reduced intakes, gains and feed efficiency. When maximum intake is required, such as finishing lambs, beware of alternative feedstuffs.")

The MD Small Ruminant Page also has a great tool for balancing rations: http://www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets/RationEvaluator2004.xls (Microsoft Excel)

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Do your research & purchase a breed that does well on pasture with little or no supplementation. Once you have chosen a breed, then choose a breeder that raises that breed on pasture. Not all do & have bred the hardy genetics out of their flocks. Buy from someone that is raising them as you want to raise them.

All the best,

Liz