1. Feeding Lambs Goal is to do it as cheap as possible.
Adding weight to lambs is the value added
portion of most sheep operations.
Goal is to do it as cheap as possible.
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2. Overview Nutrient Requirements How to Feed What to Feed
Nutritional Disorders
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3. Phases of Lamb Feeding Pre-weaning 0-3 weeks 3 weeks - weaning
Post-weaning
Marketing Goals
Feed Resources
Facilities
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4. 0-3 weeks phase Milk is the only source of nutrients
ewes in condition for milking
healthy udders
frequent observation for starve outs
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5. 3 weeks to weaning phase Get lambs started on creep
palatable and fresh
corn, SBM, hay, molasses
creep environment
nicest place in the barn
multiple entrances
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6. Rumen Development Fully functional at 6-8 weeks of age
Before hay is of less value than for ewes
Lambs learn from mom’s to eat
Hay is effective in the creep
Rumen development starts as soon as
lambs begin eating.
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7. Stages of rumen development
from The Ruminant Animal Digestive Physiology and Nutrition, Church
Market lamb
2 weeks
birth
4 weeks
6 weeks
8 weeks

8. Weaning Stress Remove ewes and leave lambs
ideally out of sight and hearing
Do not change ration at weaning
Maintain same groupings
ie keep sibs together
Minimum interruptions
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9. Post Weaning Decisions
How to feed
self-feeder or hand fed
What diet to feed
gain desired
relative costs
equipment to mix and handle
what form
Nutrient requirement
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10. Self-feeder vs hand fed
Less labor
Lower cost for feeders
Equipment for filling
Sorting
Lamb observation
Control intake
Lamb observation
Use roughage
Stricter schedule
More bunk space
6-10 in /hd
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11. What diet to feed? Gain desired targeted marketing date
maximum gain most efficient
Ex. 50 pound lamb
2.5 intake = gain .64 & FE of 3.9
2.0 intake = gain .46 & FE of 4.3
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12. Comparison Shopping Ration cost has the biggest single
effect on cost of gain
Currently ration costs should be
< $.17 per pound
Compare on cost of gain basis not cost
per pound of ration
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13. Example Corn vs Oats Corn serves as the Standard energy source
$7.28 / bu / 56 lb/bu = $.13 per pound
$.13 / .77 lb TDN/ lb corn= $.169 per lb TDN
Oats are worth:
32 pound bu X 68% TDN = 21.8 lb TDN
21.8 X $.169 = $3.68/bu

14. Standard Ration Whole corn : pelleted protein supplement superior FE
10-20% less feed
less processing cost
customized
downfall sorting
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15. Feed form and Intake Level on performance and carcass
Hamp Targee cross Whole Corn Pelleted Corn
ADG*
Feed Conversion
Dress % BF
REA*
Fluharty etal. 1999
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16. Nutrient Requirements
Affected by:
Weight
Sex
Genetics
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17. Important Nutrients Energy and Protein Calcium Phosphorous H2O
Selenium
Vitamin E

18. Frame Size, Growth and Carcass Traits
Texas Rambouillet Wethers
Small Medium Large
Gain on Wheat Past
Gain feedlot
Feed conversion
Feed cost of gain/cwt $36.36 $34.02 $35.28
Feed cost per head $18.18 $17.01 $17.64
Nichols etal. 1992 
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19. Market Feeds by protein content?
Why do Feed companies
Market Feeds by protein content? 
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20. Using the Information Sort lambs by weight groups
Sort lambs by sex and/or growth potential
Adjust protein concentration frequently
(every 3 weeks or less)
Market lambs when ready
how do you know

21. How do you know what weight
lambs should be ready?
65 % of average weight of dams on
the dam and sire side.
Example:
Polypay ewe bred to Suffolk ram
( ) / 2 = 212.5
212.5 X 65% = 138 lbs
expected wt when lamb has .15 in. back fat

22. Cost of gain Ration cost per ton Feed Conversion genetics
death loss and over all health
waste
Average daily gain
Timely marketing

23. Nutritional Disorders
Enterotoxemia/overeating
poor vaccination program or bunk management
White muscle
inadequate Vitamin e or selenium intake
Polioencephalomacia/thiamine deficiency
screwed up rumen
Coccidiosis 
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24. Additives  Coccidiosis Enterotoxemia chloratetracycline
Bovatec
30 grams per ton or
Decox
22.7mg/100lb
about 10 grams / ton
Enterotoxemia
chloratetracycline
20-50 grams/ton or
oxytetracycline
10-20 grams per ton
Ralgro implants, 12 mg
Note: one can not legally feed Bovatec and antibiotics together
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25. Summary  Lamb feeding is common sense Nutrient requirements change
so should the ration
Goal is to produce cheap gains
Lamb finishing is the value added portion of the sheep industry 
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