Feeding of sheep Flashcards
Nutrition of ewes. BW of ewes and rams
Ewes: 60 - 70 kg
Rams: 90 - 100 kg (may exceed 100 even)
Breeding cycle of ewes
Day length decreases —> melatonin release stimulates GnRH and FSH, LH secretion —>
- seasonal breeders (short-day breeders)
- mating: late summer-autumn (Aug-Nov)
- accelerated lambing system: 3 lamb crops every 2 years. In. This case US pregnancy detection
- gestation period: 150 days = 5 months = 21 weeks
- for proper farm management lambing should be done in short period of time
- in traditional farming system lambing happens between Jan-Feb
Breeding of ewes. BCS, length of lactation period
- BCS: 3
- lactation: 3-4 months but in dairy breed (Lacaune): 5-8 months
- empty ewes (weaning - mating), pregnant ewes, lactating ewes
Expression of energy and protein requirements in ewes
- net energy m: extended maintenance: maintenance + wool production+ milk production + gestation
- metabolisable protein
Energy and nutrient requirements for ewes. DMI, salt, water
- DMI: ~3% BW
- salt: ad lib, deficiency: appetite decreases, milk production decreases, allotriophagia: wool chewing
- mineral: mineral blocks (molasses+corn germs+minerals+vitamins)
- water: ad lib
- sulphur to nitrogen ratio should be considered in sheep because wool is rich in keratin which is rich in cysteine (sulphur containing AA) 1:7 S:N ratio is needed
- copper level should be considered as well because optimum level is very close to toxic concentration lambs are very sensitive to copper toxicosis
Life stages of ewes
- Flushing : 2-3 weeks
- Gestation: 5 months: early (1-15 weeks), late (last 4-6 weeks)
- Lactation: 4 months
- Rest period: ~2-2,5 months (from weaning till flushing)
Flushing. Goals, prerequisites, duration, how.
- goal is to improve BCS of breeding ewe —> increasing ovulation and conception rate
- prerequisite: BCS < 3 (5-point scale is used in sheep)
- 2-3 weeks before tupping
- how: higher energy diet: pasture, concentrates 0,5 kg/day
When do we check BCS in ewe
- before tupping ! (to evaluate if flushing is needed)
- late gestation ! (to set up BC for next breeding season)
Feeding of pregnant ewes in early gestation (1-15 weeks)
- maintaining BC !
- requirements = mainatenance (similar to empty ewes)
- pasture or forages (hay, silage, legumes)
Feeding of pregnant ewes in the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy
- critical period, esp if ewe carries more than 1 lamb
- rapid foetal development !! -> increase of nutrient requirements !
- protein intake is very important in this period
- pasture or **alfalfa haylage + lelegume hay
- concentrates: cracked barley:oats:maize = 1:1:1
Feeding of lactating ewes
- highest demand for energy !
- peak lactation: 3-4 weeks
- special composition of sheep milk: high in DM, protein and fat
- milk production: 1-2 l/d but dairy can produce up to 4 litres
- more milk in case of twins
- lambs should be separated and fed separately
- weight loss shouldn’t be more than 10% BW
- feeding is dependent on breeding system
- in case of traditional: extensive farming: pasture
- in accelerated lambing system: ewes are kept together with their lambs (first 2-3 weeks): legume forages, concentrates (1kg)
- 2-3 weeks till weaning: pasture, concentrates
Feeding of ewes in rest period (from weaning till flushing/next tupping)
- lowest demand
- extended maintenance level
- BCS should be checked in the end of the period and flushing is applied if needed
- pasture or forages, roughages: corn silage, wet beet pulp, hay, straw
- concentrates (0,5kg) can be given in the end (flushing) to regain lost weight
Feeding of rams during breeding season
- tapping increases energy demand
- pasture or forages (alfalfa hay)
- concentrates: oats, rye, barley (1-1,5 kg)
- alfalfa is more valuable becaquite a lot of concentrates are fed, cereals are high in phosphorus —> excess phosphorus may predispose them to urolithiasis but legume forages (e.g. alfalfa hay) have higher calcium content —> more appropriate P:Ca ratio to avoid incidence of urolithiasis
- Zn and Se supplementation for semen quality
Feeding of rams outside of breeding season
- extended maintenance
- pasture or forages, roughages
- concentrates: 0,5 kg
- main goal of feeding outside of breeding season: to regain BC lost during breeding season (therefore concentrates)
Feeding of lambs and growing sheep. Birth weight
- birth weight: 2.5-6 kg (May < September)
- colostrum - similar to calves
- assistance to suck colostrum may be needed
