Feeding and Eating Habits

A sheep’s diet consists mainly of: grass, clover (other legumes), forbs and other pasture plants native to the area in which the sheep lives. Sheeps enjoy eating forbs (broad leaf plants, not grass), and often favor these rugged plants over grass. In addition, sheep are known as picky eaters (as compared to other grazers, i.e. cattle). The amount of attention/nutrition your sheep requires is typically determined by their role on the farm. For example, pregnant sheep/nursing ewes require more nutrition, as compared to ewes not raising lambs (only producing wool) require less. It is also important to note that, “the single most important thing that sheep consume is fresh, clean water and it’s critical that your sheep have constant access to water so that they can be healthy, happy and thrive” (raisingsheep.net). As for the specific production practices, it is essential to ensure that the fresh water is provided, adequate roughage (hay, silage and pasture is present), and other neccessary steps to follow: “1. Crop feed of 20% protein is reccomended, 2. Start lambs on crop feed at 10 to 14 days of age, 3. Secure your hay source & line up the source early in the season, 3. Test the nutritional content with a forage test in order to balance the ration and save on grain purchases” (mofga.org).

Works Cited
 
“Publications.” Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, www.mofga.org/Publications/The-Maine-Organic-Farmer-Gardener/Summer-2013/Sheep.

RaisingSheep.net. “What Do Sheep Eat? Sheep Food & Pasture.” Raising Sheep, www.raisingsheep.net/what-do-sheep-eat.html.