Feeding Management in
Small Ruminants
LM-504
Gulfam Younus
Current Scenario of feeding in small ruminants
Raising sheep and goats is an efficient way to convert grass into food and clothing
Dry Matter
For better growth and production performance, all
nutrients should be present in the ration in correct
proportion
DM consumption is different for meat and dairy type
goats.
It is 3-4 % of body weight for dairy type
5-7 % in meat type goats.
Energy
Energy is the vital component of diet affecting utilization
of other nutrients and overall productivity
If more energy provided, the goat/sheep will gain weight
faster
1g live weight gain/3g starch equivalent
Protein and Minerals
Additional protein requirement for growth pregnancy,
lactation and mohair production
This can be achieved by adding concentrates in the ration
Na, Cl, Ca, P, S, K, Mg are the main minerals to be
supplemented
Ca and K require in larger quantities
It is recommended to feed a mix made of equal parts of
iodised salt and di-calcium phosphate at free choice
Protein and Minerals
Minerals requirement for sheep and goats
Mineral % ration DM
Sodium (Na) 0.04 – 0.1
Calcium (Ca) 0.21 – 0.52
Phosphorus (P) 0.16 – 0.37
Potassium (K) 0.50
Sulphur (S) 0.14 – 0.26
Magnesium (Mg) 0.04 – 0.08
Vitamins
Vitamins A, D and E are to be supplemented
Green forages and yellow maize are rich in Vitamin A
Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight
Vitamin E present in almost all rations
Antibiotics
Aureomycin and terramycin are included
It will:
Increase growth rate of young kids
Improves general appearance of kids
Decrease the incidents of infectious diseases
Feeding suckling Lambs/Kids
This is the early part of a
lamb's/kid’s life in which it is
dependent on its mother's milk
Colostrum should be provide just
after birth within 1-2 hours
Colostrum feeding is a main factor
in limiting young-one losses
Colostrum is given at 10 % of
body weight
Cow colostrum can also be fed to
lambs/kids
Creep Feeding
Creep feeding is a means of providing supplemental
nutrition to nursing lambs and kids.
The creep is enclosed space, it is accomplished by
giving lambs and kids access to extra feed or better
pasture, while excluding their dams.
Lambs and kids that are born in the winter months are
often creep fed, since pasture is usually not readily
available
Creep Feeding
This creep feed may be started from one month of age
and up to 2-3 months of age
main purpose of creep feeding is to give more nutrients
for their rapid growth
General quantity to be given to the lambs is 50 – 100gm
per animal/day
Composition of ideal creep feed
Maize – 40%
Ground nut cake – 30%
Wheat bran – 10 %
Rice bran (oil excluded) – 13 %
Molasses – 4%
Mineral mixture – 2%
Salt – 1% fortified with vitamins
A, B2 and D3 and antibiotic
feed supplements
Feeding from 4th month to breeding
Fed roughages supplemented
with concentrates (15-16% CP
level) at rate of 450g daily.
Dairy goats are not allowed to
become too fat, for this reduce
the intake of energy feeds
Always provide clean, fresh
water and minerals
Commercial mineral mix can
be used
Feeding of pregnant goats
Provide high quality
leguminous fodder ad-libitum
concentrate with 15% CP at
400-500g/day.
A free choice lick to mineral
mix will take care of Ca and
P requirement of both dam
and foetus
Allow good grazing
Reduce the amount of conc. mix to half before some days
of kidding
Increase amount of bran & succulent type feed to provide
more bulk
After kidding fed the dam with bran & warm water
Gradually bring the doe to its full feed for milk
production.
Feeding of lactating goats
Nutrient requirement are higher during lactation
Ration should contain high quality roughages like Lucerne,
Berseem and other cereal grasses
A concentrate feed with 14-16% CP level can be fed at
the rate of 350g/L of milk obtained
It has to be fed 2 times/day
Keep a clean, fresh supply of water at all times
Feeding of Breading Bucks
During non-breeding season, buck doesn’t require
additional concentrate if it is on good pasture
During breeding season, conc. mix fed at the rate of 400-
900g/day depending on its body weight
Not allow buck to get too fat, hence reduce intake of
energy feeds
Provide adlib. roughages, clean fresh water and minerals
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
