General sheep questions

[mystang89]

Hey again everyone. Last time I posted on here I said I was getting new sheep and now I have them. Three awassi sheep, 2 ewes and 1 ram. The 2 ewes are about 4 months old and the team is around 4 to 5 weeks. The place I received them from fed on mainly grain and hey.
I plan on feeding them primarily on pasture. I'm sure the ram is going to need some grain as he isn't on any milk supplements and I can't just stop cold turkey on giving the ewes grain so how should I do this? They are all together for the moment. Should I give them grain and tapee it off slowly? How much should I give and if I start tapering it off how slowly should I do that.
How about that Hay? Free feed until the are fully accustomed to the pasture?
Thanks for the help.

 

[norseofcourse]

Congrats on your sheep! Yes, any feed changes should be done slowly. Back down on the grain as they get more pasture. Start with about the amount they were getting at the place you got them. If they stop gaining weight, or start losing it, increase the grain slowly again. Can you separate the boy to feed him if you need to? Like, take him out on a leash? As for the hay, I'd still have at least some available to them, it helps fill them so they may not gorge on the pasture as much and possibly bloat; and if it's a rainy day they may eat more rather than go out on the pasture and melt.

 

[mystang89]

Thanks for the reply. They were getting grain and hay free choice. If i do free choice at first as well what should I lesson it to when the time comes?

 

[norseofcourse]

It's likely as they get more pasture, they'll eat less hay. I try to feed mine enough that they don't leave much each day (because hay a day old is not nearly as good as hay freshly put into the feeder! lol). If they left some, feed a bit less next day. You'll get to know your sheep and how much they'll typically eat.

Do you have some type of feeder so the hay's not on the ground? They waste a lot if it's fed on the ground. Been there, done that...

 

[mystang89]

It's likely as they get more pasture, they'll eat less hay. I try to feed mine enough that they don't leave much each day (because hay a day old is not nearly as good as hay freshly put into the feeder! lol). If they left some, feed a bit less next day. You'll get to know your sheep and how much they'll typically eat.

Do you have some type of feeder so the hay's not on the ground? They waste a lot if it's fed on the ground. Been there, done that...

I don't have a hay feeder yet but I was looking on this site and will probably make the one from Premier.

 

[norseofcourse]

I made one based on their design and really like it.

 

[Tamara]

Hello everyone!

I have a hay feeding question abut sheep. Im trying to gather more information about free choice hay. I have three sheep on a short grass large pasture. I have timothy hay and want to know what i can leave out at a time. A weeks worth or get a round bale and they pick from it. Let me know your suggestions. I have a new born and would love to cut back on extra work. Thanks

 

[mystang89]

Wish I could help but I don't feel quite qualified plus I'd like to know the answers to. Good luck and congrats with the newborn.

 

[Mike CHS]

Our sheep seem to prefer square bales no matter what kind of grass over round bales but they are spoiled. The round bales are tighter and they have to work at it which they don't like.

 

[Baymule]

@Tamara @mystang89 I cut a cow panel in half and made a hay ring. I back it up to the fence and use a chain link gate for the other side. It is all tied together with hay twine and I put a tarp over it held down by bungees. As they eat the hay, I pull the stemmy parts they don't want and use it for their bedding. I keep layering it over the poop, later I dig it out for the garden. I have to pull the layers of hay up to the cow panel because they eat inward as far as they can reach. So I pull the top layers down for them. It works for me, maybe you can adapt it to suit your situation.