Oorsig/Review
Sheep
Nutrition
DR Ariena Shepherd
Nutrition in small stock is the most important
factor in any system. It is the biggest cost
and has the greatest influence on production,
reproduction, health and disease prevention. As
veterinarians we often focus on the disease part
of nutrition as well as all the other production
elements. However, by ensuring the adequate
nutrition at the correct times many diseases,
production and reproduction failures can be
avoided.
Nutritional needs are mostly determined by the
reproduction cycle and age of the sheep.
Newborn lambs need adequate good quality
milk which depends on ewe nutrition. At 2
weeks lambs should have access to creep
feed. This will ensure that the gastrointestinal
system will develop properly and increase villi
absorption ability which in turn will influence
feed conversion and growing ability. Creep
feed should contain highly digestable energy,
good quality bypass protein, no NPN and be
very palatable. By using creep feed lambs can
be weaned with minimal stress as they are
already used to eating. Only small quantities are
necessary at the beginning about 15-20g/lamb
per day. This can be increased to 100g/lamb/day
at about 6 weeks. At 4 to 6 weeks of age creep
feed can be changed to contain more NPN protein
as adequate rumen development has taken place
to utilise NPN sources. After weaning lambs
must get adequate nutrition to grow. The rate
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of growth needed depends on the future of the
lamb. If lambs are to be sold they can be either
feedlotted using a total mixed ration or put on
good pastures with supplements if necessary.
Carcass size required will determine nutritional
needs. Lambs to be kept as replacement stock
must be provided with adequate nutrition
to grow but not at too high rates as this can
negatively influence their lifetime production
and reproduction potential. Studies have shown
that ewe lambs which grow at 150g/day have a
bigger possibility of conceiving and retaining a
“
Nutritional needs are
“
mostly determined by
the reproduction cycle
and age of the sheep.