[Jacob-list] Hay woes - Neal?

[Linda]

What is a "rich" diet?

Neal mentioned the requirements for gestating ewes at the AGM.  Gestating ewes need energy.   Neal, could you jump in here?

One of my points that I guess didn't come across is that Jacob Sheep are adaptable .. not only to frugal conditions, but also to overly abundant conditions.  I prefer to err on the side of too thin rather than too fat, but there are alot of chubby ewes out there that lamb without assistance every year.

Linda



> My sheep would love to eat nothing but alfalfa, but doesn't that

> make really fat sheep?  I was warned that feeding too much alfalfa

> to pregnant ewes fattens them up and leads to birthing problems.

> Have you noticed any weight gain in your ewes?  My vet tells me

> over and over again that sheep don't need a rich, plentiful, varied

> diet.  In other words, she was telling me I was feeding them too

> much really rich food.  Probably explains why sheep can tolerate

> tough times, like drought in Georgia, better than many other types

> of livestock.

>

> Cathy

> Moscow, Idaho

> also a bit droughty


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