[Jacob-list] Hay woes

[Linda]

I was wondering if "rich" is high protein, high carb, high whatis. 
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


>> What is a "rich" diet?

>

>> 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. ===========

> I would say that 2nd and 3rd cutting, dark green, leafy alfalfa

> perhaps with a cup or so of COB daily would make a "rich" diet.  It

> is more nutrients than the animal's daily requirements so the

> excess is stored as fat.  I wish Betty would chime in here with her

> feeding schedule and share it with the group, it fits what I have

> read and what my veterinarian has told me to follow.  If I did

> follow it, it would save me a lot of money! We lamb in March and

> start feeding the ewes alfalfa (and Livestock Blend) in January,

> that's three months into the pregnancy.  Then we continue to feed

> alfalfa until grazing starts.  The rest of the year we feed mostly

> grass hay.  We fill them up on grass hay before they graze because

> we have limited pasture available.

>

> I think it is risky management to have fat ewes trying to lamb,

> there are possible problems such as  prolapses (both uterine and

> rectal) and difficult births that often need the shepherd's

> assistance.

>

> Cathy

> Moscow, Idaho

>

>

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