[Jacob-list] Feeding Jacobs

[Linda]

Can you see any reason that feeding alfalfa - or any feed for that matter - would cause a break in the wool?  I've had sheep with wool breaks - once seriously enough that all the wool fell off and the lamb had to wear a pink sweater. That break was due to a serious parasite load. Although I've heard that you can see a break in the fleece if you shear after lambing, I haven't seen that. I do shear before lambing these days, but that's for my convenience. 

Linda
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


> Sheep are going to eat to meet their energy needs. You don't

> mention the energy level of the feeds you are talking about here. I

> am going to guess that in Northern California, 16% protein alfalfa

> is about 68% Total Digestible Nutrients or about 65mcals/lb. Here

> in North Carolina, 16% P alfalfa would only be about 60% TDN. The

> relative energy value on grass hay would be lower. They will have

> to eat more of the grass hay than the alfalfa to meet their needs.

>

> If these are adult non-lactating sheep, then they need a ration

> that is only 60% TDN and 11-12% protein. Good quality alfalfa would

> be over-feeding these sheep. But, the extra calcium might be useful

> in recharging the bone reserves after lactation.

>

> Regardless of breed, lactating ewes and growing lambs need a total 

> ration that is 72% TDN and 16% protein to maintain consistent

> growth. They can get this through additional grain or from milk

> from their mothers. The only other source to boost energy is to

> obtain it from selective grazing of early vegetative growth. Or

> from picking the leaves out of the alfalfa.

>

> I don't think it matters whether you are feeding grass or alfalfa. 

> Storage of hay shouldn't reduce the value enough to worry about as

> long as it is kept in a dry barn. You can always send off a feed

> sample to a lab to make sure. (Or ask your supplier for a test

> result.)

>

> Neal Grose


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