SHEEP
Production cycle of ewe
Stage | Flush Feeding | Maintenance Feeding during early pregnancy | Late Pregnancy to Lactation | Creep Feed and Fattening | Maintenance Feeding |
Objective | To improve ovulation and conception to ensure higher lambing percentage | Maintain ewe condition while placenta growth takes place | 75% of foetal growth takes place during this time and 63% of lamb growth tempo is determined by milk production | Ensure that lambs reach 50% of their year-old mass at 3 months age | Maintain condition of ewes, replacement ewes and ram |
Product List | Mix Feed at 350g per ewe per day. Also provide this feed mixture to rams. | Or Feed at 200 - 220g per day | Mix Feed during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy until weaning at 350 - 450g per day Or | Mix Supplement ad lib from 3 weeks of age until weaning, or until fat | Or Feed at 200 - 220g per day |
Merino, Dormer, Ile de France Sheep Fattening Rations
Mixture 1 | Mixture 2 |
|
200kg | 200kg |
|
40kg | 40kg |
|
25kg |
||
Chop/ Maize Meal | 610kg | 610kg |
Grass/Maize Crop Residue | 125kg |
|
Lucerne | 150kg | |
Total | 1 000kg | 1 000kg |
Dorper Sheep Fattening Rations
Mixture 1 | Mixture 2 | Mixture 3 |
|
200kg | 200kg | 200kg |
|
40kg | 40kg | 40kg |
|
50kg | |||
Chop/ Maize Meal | 510kg | 520kg | 560kg |
Grass/Maize Crop Residue | 190kg | 100kg |
|
Lucerne | 250kg | 100kg |
|
Total | 1 000kg | 1 000kg | 1 000kg |
GUIDELINES
- Ensure that a complete vaccination program is followed to prevent pulpy kidney, pasteurella etc.
- Deworm with an effective deworming agent.
- Grind the roughage with a 12 mm sieve to ensure sufficient intake.
- If the lambs have been transported over a long distance, provide only water and roughage on the first day.
- Adapt the lambs to the following diet:
- Day 1 and 2: Provide complete feed at 1% of body weight.
- Day 3 and 4: Provide complete feed at 1,5% of body weight.
- Day 5 and 6: Provide complete feed at 2% of body weight.
- Day 7 and 8: Provide complete feed at 2,5% of body weight.
- Day 9 and 10: Provide complete feed at 3% of body weight.
- After the adaptation phase, the lamb is properly adapted to the new diet and only the complete feed needs to be provided. The extra roughage that was provided at the start of the adaptation phase may be removed.