[Jacob-list] feed recipes

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/11/2003 8:46:03 AM Central Standard Time, 
kellyandrich at earthlink.net writes:

> Does anyone have some good 'feed recipes'?  The local feed mill sells sheep
> feed with animal fat as an additive and I do not want to feed my sheep
> products derived form other animals. I asked them about custom mixing but
> they only do that in large amounts (e.g. 1,000 #s). I need a recipe that I
> can mix in trashcan size proportions if possible.
> 
> Kelly
> 

Management of the flock is a rather "personal" issue and one program does not 
fit all.  We are currently running sixty ewes and twenty rams on whats left 
of the pasture and hay.  We are graining the teenage ewes and about 15 March 
lambs and 5 rams that are penned in small paddocks.

We feed no more than about 1/2 pound of feed per day for any group, trying to 
balance grain and forage; a "target" might be 12-14% protein, 7-9% for fat 
and fiber.
We use a one pound coffee can (available on Ebay) and these proportions:
Cotton seed meal - 3/4 can
Soy bean meal - 3/4 can
wheat - 1 can
whole oats - 1 can
corn - 3 cans
alfalfa pellets - 1 can
all grain with mollasses - 9 cans

This "recipe" comes out at about 16 protein, 7 fat and 8 fiber.  We just mix 
it in a bucket by hand.  

If one includes additives in their program, add a sheep mineral, even 
diatomaeceous earth (if you use that sort of thing) or even a small amount of 
ammonium chloride (calculli) depending on your management program.  Your grain and 
grazing program should complement each other.  Diet has a pretty strong 
influence on adaptaion, health, behavior and of course, fleece.

I just spoke with a fellow in Bandera, TX this morning who has about 200 
JacobxBarbados crosses that he haven't been fed in about 5 years ... they've just 
run loose on his dad's ranch.

Fred Horak  
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