[Jacob-list] feeding Jacobs

[Penny Johnson]

For years when I had just four Jacob sheep, they just had pasture and
nothing else except minerals,and they actually were grossly fat year
round.  It wasn't until I bred them last year that they did lose some
weight, but went into lambing season still in good shape.  I then
supplemented the pasture with grass pellets and minerals only and they
maintained and then gained weight, so cut the pellets when the grass came
on.  the lambs did great!  this year I have 10 sheep so am feeding orchard
grass pellets with some all stock grain as have less pasture.  They are
maintaining so far. even with the snow. I bought a bale of hay and put some
out and they prefer they pellets.  So I think having ample pasture per head
of sheep is really the answer to maintaining a good body weight when they
have access and access to ample feed in winter when pasture isn't
available. One thing I do to my pastures is add dolomite lime to the soil
in the spring.  It has calcium and magnesium and may aid the sheep in
utilizing the nutrients from pasture.
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