Principles of Feeding Sheep & Goats

By Skumar -

 

Principles of Feeding Sheep & Goats 



1) Importance of Proper Feeding

  • Feeding accounts for ~55-60% of total cost of rearing sheep & goats. Balanced feeding maximizes health, reproduction, growth, lactation and productivity. NDVSU

  • Sheep are predominantly grazers; goats are browsers—feed preferences differ. NDVSU

2) Nutrient Requirements

For all small ruminants: energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and water must be met according to physiological stage.

General Target Requirements

  • Maintenance: enough to maintain body weight.

  • Breeding & Pregnancy: increased requirements to support oocyte development and fetus growth.

  • Lactation: high nutrient demand for milk synthesis. eLibrary MJF Veterinary College

Key Notes

  • Pregnancy last 6 weeks: nutrient needs ~50% above maintenance. NDVSU

  • Lactation especially first 2 months: up to 2× maintenance nutrient needs. NDVSU

3) Practical Feeding Practices

A. Feed Components

  • Roughages: pasture, hay, stubble, crop residues.

  • Concentrates: grains (maize, barley), oil cakes (groundnut/soybean), wheat bran.

  • Balanced ration ensures TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) and digestible crude protein (DCP) are met. AgriTech

B. Systems of Feeding

  • Extensive: grazing on community lands.

  • Semi-intensive: grazing + supplementation.

  • Intensive: stall feeding with formulated rations. Animal Husbandry & Dairying

4) Feeding Sheep

Dry Period (Before Breeding)

  • Adequate roughage to maintain body condition.

  • Prevent over-fat ewes—excess body fat reduces fertility. AgriTech

Feeding During Breeding (Flushing)

✔ Flushing = purposeful temporary increase in nutrition to improve reproductive performance. Agri College+1

Objectives of Flushing

  • Increase ovulation rate.

  • Increase incidence of estrus.

  • Improve conception and embryo survival.

  • Increase lambing/kidding percentage by ~10-20%. Agri College

When to Flush

  • Start 2-4 weeks before breeding.

  • Can be continued into early breeding period. Agri College

How to Flush
✔ Increase energy level using:

  • Good quality legume hay (e.g., berseem).

  • Pasture grazing.

  • Supplement with 250–400 g concentrate/day/head OR 500 g quality hay. Pashusnehi+1

Key Point

  • Ewes already in good body condition (BCS ~3.0+) may not show much benefit from flushing versus undernourished animals. Agri College

5) Feeding Goats

Breeding Does

  • Similar flushing concept applies: increase nutrition ~3-4 weeks before mating to improve ovulation and kidding rates. Agri College

Pregnancy

  • First 4 months: maintain with good pasture + roughage.

  • Last 4-6 weeks: additional concentrate (250-350 g/day) + green fodder to avoid pregnancy toxemia. AgriTech

At Kidding/Lambing

  • Light feeding on the day; plenty of clean water.

  • After birth, increase ration gradually, provide dry roughage free choice. AgriTech

6) Practical Tips for Exam

✔ Definition (Straight Answer)

  • Flushing = Increased plane of nutrition 2-4 weeks before breeding to improve ovulation and lambing/kidding rates. Agri College

✔ Why Flush?

  • Stimulates earlier and more uniform estrus.

  • Increases multiple births (twins/triplets). AgriTech

✔ Procedure Summarized

  • Identify females in lean/declining condition.

  • Increase energy intake via concentrate/hay.

  • Start 2-4 weeks before mating; continue early breeding.

  • Monitor Body Condition Score (aim for 3 on 1–5 scale). Agri College

✔ Expected Outcome

  • Improved fertility and lamb/kid crop up to ~20%. Agri College


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