Should wethers be fed less?

[Singing Shepherd]

I read something on this site somewhere recently that said feeding whethers the same rations as breeding ewes or rams will make them overweight...apparently because they are spending energy on breeding, hormones, etc. Not having ever been told that, I haven't been able to stop thinking of it and so thought I would see what responses or advice you may have for me on this issue. Thanks.

 

[Bossroo]

I read something on this site somewhere recently that said feeding whethers the same rations as breeding ewes or rams will make them overweight...apparently because they are spending energy on breeding, hormones, etc. Not having ever been told that, I haven't been able to stop thinking of it and so thought I would see what responses or advice you may have for me on this issue. Thanks.

I wean all lambs at 5 months of age. The weather lambs that are from 95- 105 lbs. are sent to auction right out of the pasture. While the best of the ewe lambs are retained as replacement ewes and turned out to pasture. The lighter weather lambs are put into feed lots for 60-90 days until they reach market weight then sold at auction.
Since weathers can't reproduce, it is NOT economical to keep them for any reason other than to turn them into lamb chops and their pelts to seat covers and/ or leather. Especially in these economic times, keeping a weather for their wool is economic suicide as the cost of sheering alone will cost as much if not more than one can sell the wool for. The feed costs can be profitably be put to better use by giving feed to replacement ewes. Or better still, buying a better QUALITY ram as the ram is one half of your flock.

 

[Southern by choice]

We have one ewe and one wether Jacobs sheep. We don't feed and feed. They live off the land, grass and leaves, browse. They have hay year round 24/7. When we first got them we fed them 1 cup feed a day to improve condition. Jacobs are, from what I'm told, a more primitive breed. They do fine on this. They are my DD's sheep, for the wool, I shear so it cost me nothing... they are her pets we are not raising them for any other purpose.
I am a goatie and not real knowledgeable on the sheep side but does your wether even need feed?

 

[SheepGirl]

Wethers should be fed for maintenance, which is 2% of their body weight in Dry Matter daily. This is the amount for adult sheep. Growing lambs will require more feed. I had a wether, he lived off of pasture and was so fat. Moved him and my ewes to a dry lot and they were given timothy and timothy/grass mix hay and they all lost weight and got in good condition. sent him and my ram to auction. My wether weighed I think somewhere around 140 lbs and my ram was 184 lbs. My ram was the only one who didnt lose weight switching from pasture to hay.

But I guess my point is lol that wethers will get by very well on just pasture or you can feed them hay. Grain and fancy supplements (boss, calf manna, chaffhaye, etc) are NOT needed and a waste of money (even for producing sheep most of the time, too).

 

[Singing Shepherd]

These are three interesting and different replies...gives me elements of my care to think about... Thank you. And thanks to anyone else who also weighs in on this topic later.