Sheep are classified as ruminant animals and such animals need to be well fed to ensure good health and productivity at all times, but the question, of what do sheep eat often arises when talking about raising sheep.
Understanding what sheep eat then becomes relevant even to farmers, ranchers, and animal lovers. So in this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what sheep eat, the importance of nutrition, and how to create a suitable feeding plan for your flock.
Also See: Can Goat and Sheep Be Raised Together?
Why Nutrition Matters for Sheep
A balanced diet is the first brick upon which sheep health can be achieved.
The provision of a well-balanced diet makes certain that sheep gain at the right rate, produce quality wool, and remain healthy and fertile.
Where these sheep have not been fed properly, they may suffer from various deficiencies, which in turn result in low growth rates, low quality and quantity of wool, and reproductive problems.
Types of Sheep Feed
- Grasses: Ryegrass, timothy grass, and orchard grass are popular choices for sheep grazing.
- Hay: Timothy hay and alfalfa hay provide essential fiber and nutrients.
- Grains: Oats, barley, and corn are energy-rich supplements.
- Silage: Fermented feed made from grasses or legumes.
- Concentrates: Pelleted or textured feeds containing grains, proteins, and vitamins.
Basic Nutritional Requirements
Sheep require six basic nutrients:
- Water – Essential for all life processes.
- Carbohydrates – Provide energy.
- Proteins – Important for growth and repair.
- Fats – Another source of energy and necessary for absorbing vitamins.
- Vitamins – Vital for various bodily functions.
- Minerals – Important for bone health, enzyme functions, and overall health.
What Do Sheep Eat?
Our observations have shown that sheep are more interested in herbaceous plants, and even trees or shrubs than they are in grassy pastures that have been meticulously maintained.
On the other hand, if you are considering raising sheep, you should make certain that the ground on which they graze contains a diverse range of flora and is not only grass.
Sheep are ruminants, meaning they have a complex stomach with four compartments that allow them to break down fibrous plant materials efficiently.
Below is a detailed overview of what sheep eat:
1. Pasture and Forage
Grass:
- The primary component of a sheep’s diet.
- Includes ryegrass, clover, and fescue.
- Provides essential nutrients and fiber.
Hay:
- Dried grasses and legumes.
- Hay is essential during winter months or dry seasons when fresh pasture isn’t available.
Silage:
- Fermented, high-moisture stored fodder.
- Commonly made from grass, corn, or legumes.
- Provides a nutritious alternative to fresh forage.
2. Grains
Corn:
- High-energy feed.
- Should be fed in moderation to avoid digestive issues.
Oats:
- Good source of energy and fiber.
- Often used in lactating ewes’ diets.
Barley:
- Similar to corn, but with a slightly higher protein content.
3. Supplements
Mineral Blocks and Licks:
- Provide essential minerals like salt, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Vitamin Supplements:
- Essential during periods of high stress or when the diet lacks variety.
Protein Supplements:
- Soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and other sources to boost protein levels, especially in growing lambs and pregnant or lactating ewes.
4. Specialty Feeds
By-products:
- Beet pulp, brewer’s grains, and other agricultural by-products can provide additional nutrients.
Pellets:
- Processed feeds that combine various ingredients into a balanced diet.
5. Fresh Vegetables and Fruits
While not a primary food source, vegetables, and fruits can be a nutritious treat for sheep. Suitable options include:
- Carrots
- Apples
- Pumpkins
- Turnips
Avoid feeding sheep toxic plants like potatoes, tomatoes, and rhubarb leaves.
How Much Should Sheep Eat Per Day?
The amount of food mass needed by sheep varies with their age, weight, breed, degree of activity, and reproductive state.
Adult sheep can eat as much as three to five percent of their body weight daily, while lambs need eight to ten percent of their weight in food.
It is possible that pregnant and suckling ewes may be needed to consume about thirty percent more food than normal non-pregnant females because they require more energy as well as nutrients.
Creating a Balanced Diet for Sheep
Understanding Nutritional Needs by Life Stage
Lambs:
- Require high-protein diets for growth.
- Begin with mother’s milk, transitioning to solid foods around 2-3 weeks of age.
Ewes (Adult Female Sheep):
- Nutritional needs vary by reproductive status.
- Pregnant and lactating ewes require higher protein and energy levels.
Rams (Adult Male Sheep):
- Generally have lower nutritional needs than ewes but require good quality forage and occasional grain supplements.
Seasonal Feeding
Spring/Summer:
- Abundant fresh pasture.
- Supplement with minerals and occasional grains.
Fall/Winter:
- Rely more on hay and silage.
- Ensure adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Example of a balanced sheep feed recipe
Let us illustrate this with a sheep feed recipe that includes the aforementioned elements as follows:
- -50% quality Hay
- -20% Corn or Barley
- -10% Soybean meal
- -10% Cottonseed gum
- -10% Mineral mixture
One thing that should be taken into consideration is that each flock has individual requirements and most will require non-strict weights depending on their age, weight, and activity level among other variables.
Further, remember to always provide fresh water for drinking purposes.
Common Nutritional Issues and Solutions
Deficiencies and Their Symptoms
Protein Deficiency:
- Poor growth, reduced wool production.
- Solution: Introduce high-protein supplements.
Vitamin A Deficiency:
- Poor vision, reproductive issues.
- Solution: Provide vitamin-rich feeds like carrots and green leafy vegetables.
Mineral Deficiencies:
- Various symptoms including poor bone development and weak immune systems.
- Solution: Use mineral blocks and licks.
Overfeeding and Its Risks
Overfeeding Grains:
- Can lead to acidosis and other digestive problems.
- Solution: Balance grain intake with adequate forage.
Obesity:
- Reduced fertility and mobility.
- Solution: Monitor body condition and adjust the diet accordingly.
Best Practices for Feeding Sheep
Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
- Body Condition Scoring:
- Regularly check the body condition of your sheep.
- Adjust diet based on whether they are underweight or overweight.
Water Availability:
- Always provide fresh, clean water.
- Water needs increase with high fiber intake and during hot weather.
Rotational Grazing
Benefits:
- Prevents overgrazing.
- Allows pasture recovery.
- Reduces parasite loads.
Implementation:
- Divide pasture into smaller sections.
- Rotate sheep through sections to ensure even grazing.
Proper Storage of Feed
- Hay and Silage:
- Store in dry, well-ventilated areas to prevent mold.
Grains and Supplements:
- Keep in sealed containers to avoid contamination and pest infestation.
FAQs – What Do Sheep Eat? An Extensive Guide To A Sheep’s Diet
What Do Lambs Eat?
The feeding pattern for lambs is just like that of mature sheep only that extra proteins are given to lambs to aid their quick growth and for muscle development.
The main source of nourishment for the lambs is good quality pasture or hay and a little of a few grains, minerals, and vitamins. Lambs should also have clean and fresh water all the time.
What is the best feed for sheep?
Usually, sheep have a balanced ration which consists of:
- Grazing: There is nothing better than good quality pasture where sheep graze.
- Hay: Good quality hay comes in handy in the dry season or the off-season of grazing.
- Concentrates: Such include mixtures of grain, pelleted feeds, or mineral supplements.
How Much Water Should Sheep Drink?
Sheep cannot be productive if water is in short supply. Sheep require about half a gallon (2 liters) of water per day per 100 pounds of body weight.
Pregnant and lactating ewes and lambs may drink freely since their energy and nutrients are very much higher than usual.
Does a sheep eat meat?
No, sheep are herbivorous animals. Their main diet consists of plant bodies. Their stomach is capable of food which includes grass, leaves, etc., and plants.
There have only been very few occasions when meat was consumed and even then it was out of the ordinary and abnormal eating on the part of the sheep.
Can sheep eat bananas?
Yes, sheep can eat bananas. Though not common in the diets of sheep, it has been shown that they can eat bananas with no negative effects. Because of the sweetness and nutritious content of the fruit, it can be considered as a treat or supplement to sheep.
Conclusion
It is crucial to know what sheep feed on in order to take good care of them and to ensure that they are productive. Healthy well-fed sheep can be maintained by the farmers and ranchers through proper diet formulation, proper grazing management and supplementation when necessary.