By Andi Anderson
Feeding lambs to market weight requires careful planning and a balanced diet that supports healthy growth and efficient feed conversion. The best approach depends on the production system, such as confinement, pasture-based, or mixed systems combining both.
Lambs’ nutritional needs depend on maturity and growth stage. Younger lambs need more protein, around 15–16% crude protein (CP), which can be reduced to 10–12% as they near market weight.
Overfeeding protein is wasteful and costly, as excess nitrogen is lost during digestion. Energy, not protein, is often the main growth-limiting factor in lamb diets. Therefore, providing a high-energy diet with at least 80% total digestible nutrients (TDN) ensures that protein is effectively utilized.
Fiber is essential for digestion and rumen health. Diets too low in fiber can cause digestive upsets, while too much fiber slows growth. Using digestible fiber sources, such as soy hulls at 20–25% of the diet, supports rumination without reducing energy. Including 5–10% hay or straw helps maintain proper digestion and fecal consistency.
Another key concern in feeding male lambs is preventing urinary calculi, a condition caused by excess phosphorus. Maintaining a 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, adding salt and ammonium chloride, and ensuring constant access to clean water helps prevent this issue.
Feeding strategies vary by production goals. Fast growth systems aim to move lambs to market quickly, ideal for high-cost confinement setups.
Pasture-based or background feeding systems grow lambs more slowly, followed by a finishing phase with higher energy diets. These systems often improve feed efficiency and reduce production costs while maintaining leaner carcasses.
Overall, success in lamb production depends on managing nutrition, monitoring costs, and aligning feeding systems with market demands. A balanced approach ensures profitable, sustainable, and high-quality lamb production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ppampicture
Categories: Michigan, Livestock, Goats & Sheep