nutrition requirements for sheep
Different nutritional needs of sheep Nutritional needs vary greatly, depending on the size, age and physiological status of the sheep. For example:
Energy requirements of sheep: The energy component of a sheep's diet is the major driver of its performance. Sheep get their energy from pasture, hay, grains and soil seeds. If sheep are not getting enough energy there will be a decrease in wool and meat production and reproduction, and an increase in mortality and disease.
Protein requirements of sheep: When dietary protein levels become low, sheep cannot maintain weight and they start to mobilize body tissues to make up the shortfall in protein. Low levels of protein reduce weaner growth rates, conception, pregnancy and lactation in breeding ewes, and productivity in general.
Mineral requirements of sheep: Major minerals that sheep need include phosphorus, sulphur and calcium. Small amounts of these minerals are needed to ensure sheep remain strong, healthy and produce good wool. Sheep can get minerals from water supply and various mineral supplements if necessary.
Vitamin requirements of sheep: it's important to make sure they receive enough of the right vitamins to remain healthy, strong and productive. The most important are vitamin A, D, E, and the B group. Sheep can get vitamin A and vitamin E from green plants, hay and grain, and vitamin D from sunlight and fresh and dry feed. Newborn lambs receive B vitamins from milk, and once weaned an active microbial population in the rumen will then usually make sufficient B vitamins to meet nutritional requirements.
Water requirements of sheep: Water is one of the most important daily requirements of sheep. They need between 2.5-18L per day. Water should be clean and contain minimal chemicals. Sheep generally consume 2-3 times the amount of water to dry feed, and if receiving high salt supplements may need more.
below is a energy requirement by ewes table to help you.
- larger and older sheep sometimes need more nutrients than younger and smaller ones
- lactating or pregnant sheep need more nutrients than dry animals
- young, growing, pregnant or lactating animals sometimes need more protein than older, empty or dry animals
- in some cases, lactating sheep need more phosphorus than non-lactating sheep.
Energy requirements of sheep: The energy component of a sheep's diet is the major driver of its performance. Sheep get their energy from pasture, hay, grains and soil seeds. If sheep are not getting enough energy there will be a decrease in wool and meat production and reproduction, and an increase in mortality and disease.
Protein requirements of sheep: When dietary protein levels become low, sheep cannot maintain weight and they start to mobilize body tissues to make up the shortfall in protein. Low levels of protein reduce weaner growth rates, conception, pregnancy and lactation in breeding ewes, and productivity in general.
Mineral requirements of sheep: Major minerals that sheep need include phosphorus, sulphur and calcium. Small amounts of these minerals are needed to ensure sheep remain strong, healthy and produce good wool. Sheep can get minerals from water supply and various mineral supplements if necessary.
Vitamin requirements of sheep: it's important to make sure they receive enough of the right vitamins to remain healthy, strong and productive. The most important are vitamin A, D, E, and the B group. Sheep can get vitamin A and vitamin E from green plants, hay and grain, and vitamin D from sunlight and fresh and dry feed. Newborn lambs receive B vitamins from milk, and once weaned an active microbial population in the rumen will then usually make sufficient B vitamins to meet nutritional requirements.
Water requirements of sheep: Water is one of the most important daily requirements of sheep. They need between 2.5-18L per day. Water should be clean and contain minimal chemicals. Sheep generally consume 2-3 times the amount of water to dry feed, and if receiving high salt supplements may need more.
below is a energy requirement by ewes table to help you.