Basic Nutrients

It’s not the brand name that is important, but the protein, fat, fiber content of the feed, as well as palatability. Five basic nutrients are required for feeding show lambs as well as all livestock. They are water, protein, carbohydrates and fats or energy, minerals and vitamins. There are commercial lamb feed rations or you can mix your own.

Water

Water is the most important nutrient. It is essential to keep the body functioning properly. Keep plenty of clean fresh water available at all times.

Protein

Protein requirements for lambs vary depending on their stage of development. Young, fast-growing lambs need rations with protein levels of 16 to 18 percent. This is important for development of the proper muscle mass. When lambs are getting fat and close to market, protein levels can be as low as 11 to 12 percent.

Lambs that are fed more protein than they need convert it to energy. This is very expensive, so only feed the lamb the protein requirements it needs for its stage of development.

Carbohydrates and Fats (Energy)

The body needs energy for necessary bodily functions. Grain and protein supplements are high in energy, while hay contains less carbohydrates and fats (energy).

Minerals

Salt (sodium chloride), calcium and phosphorus are important minerals. Have free choice loose salt, and loose trace minerals available at all times. Calcium and phosphorus are essential for proper growth and development. A ration should be 2.5 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus.

Be cautious of the copper level in sheep rations. Sheep can’t handle the levels of copper that cattle can and too much copper can kill them. Sheep can become sensitive to copper toxicity at 15ppm. Ideal copper range for a sheep ration is 7-11ppm.

Vitamins

Lambs require very small amounts of vitamins. If lambs are receiving alfalfa hay or pellets in their diet, vitamin A should not be a problem.

Key points of nutrition management

• Be sure bedding in the stalls is clean and dry.

• Make clean, fresh water available at all times. In cold weather, break any ice on water buckets.

• To encourage lambs to gain weight at a desired rate, feed them a balanced ration. Avoid overfeeding or underfeeding lambs. Overfed lambs may carry too much condition by show time.

• Keep the feed and water troughs clean. Do not allow old feeds to get moldy or water to become dirty, warm, or stale.

• Be sure feeds are mixed thoroughly. Use fresh feed ingredients.

• Feed lambs on a regular schedule.

• Avoid sudden changes in the ration. Introduce new feed gradually over a period of days or weeks rather than at one feeding.

• Avoid feeding lambs on the ground.

• Only use sheep feed; other feeds may contain high copper levels that may cause toxicity in lambs.

• Remember to include minerals and vitamins in a balanced ration. These nutrients are required in small amounts, but failure to provide them will reduce the performance of lambs. You may offer free choice minerals.

• Determine the competitive weight and finish you want for your lambs. Many judges prefer to have a market lamb with 0.1 to 0.2 inches of back fat thickness.

• Learn how to estimate back fat thickness and what a correctly finished lamb feels like.

  • • If you can easily feel ribs and backbone when handling a lamb, it is too thin and has around 0.05 inches of fat thickness.

    • If it’s hard for you to feel ribs and back bone, the lamb is likely over- conditioned and has a back fat thickness more than 0.2 inches.

• Be aware that the following factors may affect feed requirements:

  • • Cold weather can increase feed requirements.

    • A freshly shorn lamb needs more feed, especially during cold weather.

    • Lambs that are exercised regularly need more feed.