[Jacob-list] feeding questions

[Debbie Bennett]

Forage choices in my area are: local hay (cheap, but they waste alot of 
it and I find seed heads and sometimes blackberry briars in the hay and 
in their wool), alfalfa (very expensive and they start wasting the 
stems after awhile), and orchard grass (mid-range price, they love it, 
and even if they get it allover their backs, it brushes right off). And 
while the sheep won't eat what they stepped on, the guard llama will.
I supplement the orchard grass with Nutrena Allbreed pellets (14% 
protein, oats, corn, minerals, etc.) no more than 1/3 of their diet for 
rumen health (what I was taught).
Debbie Bennett
Feral Fibre Farm
Oakland, Oregon

On Friday, March 28, 2003, at 06:02 PM, Patty Berke wrote:

> I am just finishing picking my wool, getting it ready for market.  
> It's so
> much fun cause it makes me think about these delightful creatures!  
> And much
> more fun this year because it's finally clean!!!  Which brings me to a
> question:  in the winter months, when we don't have enough pasture 
> growth to
> feed the herd, how much can we rely on alfalfa pellets and sheep feed 
> as
> opposed to grass hay, which is much dirtier and wasteful.  I know I 
> can go
> to the "facts and figures" but I don't feel very confident using this
> information to figure out how to make these determinations--my biggest
> concern is the amount of bulk/fiber they need to get.  This is 
> particularly
> an issue since they always want to eat!!  This year we fed grass hay, 
> some
> alfalfa pellets and some sheep feed but I would really like to cut way 
> back
> on the hay if there is a way.
> Thanks for any and all assist here!
> Patty Berke
> Flying Coyote Farm
> Olympia  WA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com
> [mailto:jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com]On Behalf Of CATE De SHAZER
> Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 12:48 PM
> To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
> Subject: [Jacob-list] Re: Housing help
>
>
> Jacob housing help....    Thank you everyone.  I feel soooo much more
> comfortable.  I have had exotic
> parrots for years.   I know birds - seems sheep are similar - clever, 
> fun,
> adorable, responsive
> to love, and adaptable.   I was so worried about preparations - but 
> they
> need the same as my birds -
> a clean safe home  where they can play and thrive.   I have been so 
> excited
> about my babies
> arrival but unsure about  my ability to provide safe comfortable care.
> http://www.jacobsheep
> com/who_we_are.htm  (Swallow Lane)  - the breeder  I will be using 
> suggested
> this forum and the
> best book  and I have been studying both like the novice I am.   Now I 
> know
> I have a group of people who will help me learn.    Thanks for the 
> great
> advice and the ability to relax and enjoy their arrival
>      I will be getting them right after I do my taxes - they are the
> 'reward' for
> mailing my taxes and the damn check before the 15th.   Cate
>
>
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