Feeding Sheep

Author: Steven H. Umberger, Extension Animal Scientist, Virginia Tech

Publication Number 410-853, June 1996

Table 2. The Amount of Hay, Shelled Corn (SC) and Soybean Meal (SBM) required to meet the total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and Crude Protein (CP) Requirements of a 175-lb Ewe when the Hay Contains Different Protein Levels.
  Percent protein in hay*
  16.515.012.510.0
Stage of production lb
MaintenanceHay3.253.253.253.25
Early pregnancyHay3.753.753.75 3.75
Late pregnancyHay4.204.204.20 4.20
 SC1.001.001.001.00
 SBM---0.10
Early lactation (single)Hay5.005.005.005.00
 SC1.501.501.401.15
 SBM- -0.100.40
Early lactation (twins)Hay 5.005.005.005.00
 SC2.252.15 1.901.50
 SBM-0.100.400.75
Early lactation (triplets)Hay3.503.50 3.503.50
 SC3.152.952.702.45
 SBM0.450.650.901.15

Note: Adjusted from dry matter values: Corn--80% TDN and 8.8% CP, SBM--80% TDN and 44 % CP, Hay--50% TDN. TDN of hay increases as hay quality increases, but is left constant here for ease of discussion and diet calculations.

*Percentages are figured on an as-fed basis, as are the pounds of feed.

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