At Stayner Feed Service we realize that the nutritional needs of your flock are of utmost importance to you the producer.  With this in mind Shur-Gain has developed a Sheep Feeding Program that is based on average nutrient values for feedstuffs and is designed to meet the requirements of the various classes of sheep and lambs.  The products contain high quality ingredients and are supplemented with optimum levels of minerals, trace minerals and vitamins to support high producing ewex, promote growth in lambs and health in the flock.  None of the Shur-Gain sheep products contain any added copper.

Flushing Ewes

• Ewes must be on a rising plane of nutrition prior to breeding.  Put the flock onto a better pasture or on to better quality forage or supplement with grain.  Grain levels of 1/4 to 1/2 kg per day are usually adequate.  Flushing ewes improves the chances of multiple births.

         Feeding Late Gestation Ewes

     Feeding and feeding management of late gestation and lactating ewes is vital to the survival and rapid growth of lambs.  the last four to six weeks of gestation are critical in the ewe's production cycle .  The fetus gains about two thirds of its weight in the last 6 weeks of gestation.  Ewes that carry multiple fetuses have particularly high nutrient requirements.  To ensure that ewes maintain a body condition score (BCS) of 3 to 3 1/2 and gain weight during late gestation, supplemental protein and energy must be fed.  This grain feeding is also importat to help prevent vaginal prolapse and pregnancy toxemia.

     The time to start feeding late gestation ewes additional grain and protein depends on the body condition of the ewes, the anticipated lambing rate and past experience.  As a general rule, flocks with lambing rates of 130% to 175%, should start 3-4 weeks prior to the start of lambing.  Flocks with lambing rates of 180% to 225% must feed grain 4-6 weeks prior to the start of lambing.  Flocks with lambing rates of 180% to 225% must feed grain 4-6 weeks prior to the onset of lambing.  Feed ewes with multiples separate from those with singles.

1. late gestation ewe lambs - 0.5 to 0.8 kg / ewe/ day
2. late gestation ewes - 0.25 to 1 kg / ewe / day

     Over conditioned ewes (body condition score 4 and greater) can be fed 10% less grain per body condition score.  Under condition ewes (body condition score less than 3) can be fed 10% more grain per body condition score.

       Feeding Lactating Ewes

     The pens for lambing must be kept clean, dry and draft free.  Prior to lambing, group the ewes according to age and body weight to reduce the stress on pregnant ewes.  Provide adequate pen and feeder space.  Have ample clean fresh water available to lactating ewes.

     Ewes and their lambs can be moved to hardening pens in small groups where they can be sorted according to the number of lambs, body condition, and age.  Maiden ewes with their first lambs should be fed sepearately to reduce competition.  Grain feeding levels for lactating ewes depends on number of lambs and ewe body condition.  The protein level in th egrain ration depends on hay quality.

                                                 Mature Ewes      Ewe Lambs

• ewes with singles             .75 - 1.0 kg         .75 - 1.0 kg
• ewes with twins                 1.0 - 1.3 kg          .8 -  1.3 kg
• ewes with triplets              1.4 - 1.6 kg

        Feeding and Management

     Provide adequate pen and bunk space.  Provide free access to clean water.  Ewes that require more than 500 g of grain mix per day must have the grain mix split into two to three feedings/day.  This helps ensure that all ewes get the required amount of grain as well as avoiding grain overload.

     Better quality hay allows for lower grain feeding levels. The hay crude protein must range between 11 and 18%.  Allocate better quality hay to those ewes with multiples to save on grain feeding and help meet nutrient requirements.  Ewes with multiples fed poorer quality hay, cannot milk well and maintain good body condition.

     Always feed hay to appetite and have free choice access to Shur-Gain Premium Sheep Mineral or Trace Mineral Salt for Sheep with High Vitamin E and High Selenium at 15 to 30 g/head/day and additional salt free choice.

Custom Ewe & Lamb Rations                       Percent crude protein in the grain ration

•                                                            15% Ewe Ration     16% Lamb Creep     18% Lamb Creep
• Shur-Gain 34% Ewe & Lamb Supp (200)           200                     200                       200
• Corn                                                               300                     320                       310
• Barley                                                             450                     400                       355
• Soybean meal                                                 ----                       30                         85
• Molasses                                                         50                       50                         50
• Total                                                            1000 kg             1000 kg                1000 kg

          Creep  Feeding Lambs

     Creep Feeding is important to supplement lambs and reduce pressure on the ewes, particularly ewes with multiple lambs and / or with accelerated lambing.  Creep feeding increases lamb gains and promotes the development of the rumen.  A separate creep area is required for the lambs only.  It is important to feed a palatable creep ration, keep the feed fresh and the troughs clean at all times.  The creep must be available from birth or at aleast by a week of age.

     Creep feed Shur-Gain 16% Lamb Creep Ration (0.66% ECP)  pellets or textured to lambs from birth through weaning.  Feed the creep in an area where only the lambs have access to the feed.  Clean out the feeder daily and always ensure that the creep ration is fresh to encourage intakes.

          Finishing Lambs

     Feedlot lambs are susceptible to several disease conditions related to the feeding and management of the animals.  These include acidosi, coccidiosis, urinary calculi and enterotoxemia (pulpy kidney).  There are a number of key feeding and management factors that help reduce the risk of these developing.

     Clean feed and water troughs daily.  Feed a well balanced ration.  Adapt lambs to grain ration gradually.  Feed buffers if necessary.  Feed an ionohore under veterinary prescription.  Vaccinate as required (eg. pulpy kidney).  Shur-Gain feedlot sheep feeds have low levels of ECP from ammonium sulphate, not urea.  This is included to help prevent urinary calculi in male lambs and rams.  Excellent feeding and bunk management will promote groth and health.

     Provide comfortable well ventilated, draft free pens for lambs.  Lambs require 0.75 square meters.  Pens must be dry but dust free.  Lambs require 10 cm of feed trough space and 1 cm of water trough space.  Group lambs by size to feed in uniform groups of 30 - 50 lambs.

      Shur-Gain Feed lot rations can be fed following the creep ration.  Mix 50% of the feedlot starter ration in with the creep and feed this for 7 - 10 days to ease the transition to the new ration.  Once lambs are adapted to the feedlot grain ration, continue to feed both the appropriate ration and hay free choice.

• Heavy lamb breeds - Start lambs on a 16% crude protein grain ration with limited hay (hay 200 - 500 g/lamb/day).  Feed the lambs from 15 - 25 kg.  Grow lambs on a 15% crude protein grain ration with limited hay (hay 100 - 200 g/lamb/day) from 25 - 35 kg.  Finish lambs on a 14% crude protein ration with minimal hay (hay about 100 g/lamb/day)
• Light lamb breeds - Start lambs on a 16% crude protein grain ration with limited hay (hay 200 - 500 g/lamb/day).  Feed the lambs from 12 - 20 kg.  Grow lambs on a 15% crude protein grain ration with limited hay (hay 100 - 200 g/lamb/day) from 20 - 30 kg.  Finish Lambs on a 14% crude protein grain ration with minimal hay (hay about 100 g/lamb/day)  Feed lambs from 30 kg through finish.

     Producers may decide to start lambs at slightly heavier weights.  Lighter breeds may be fed the 16% lamb starter ration for longer than indicated here and then follow with the 15% lamb grower through to finish.

Custom Finishing Rations                       

•                                              16% Lamb Creep/Starter  15% Lamb Grower  14% Lamb Fin.
• Shur-Gain 36% Sheep Supp (200)            200                        200                         200
• Barley                                                    325                        240                        140
• Corn                                                      400                        500                         600
• Molasses                                                50                          50                           50
• Soybean Meal                                        25                           10                            --
• Total                                                     1000 kg             1000 kg                  1000 kg

Shur-Gain sheep feeds are designed to allow producers the flexibility to meet the needs of the flock.  The products are versatil and can be applied to a variety of feeding situations

           Shepherd's Notes

• Prevent white muscle in new lambs with a vitamin E - Selenium combination injection
• Dock lambs' tails at 10 - 14 days of age (2 - 3 days of age if an elastrator is used).
• Worm all ewes 24 - 48 hours before going on pasture.
• Worm all ewes and any lambs not marketed in the fall.

For a guaranteed analysis of any of the feeds referenced above or more information on Shur-Gain Sheep Feeding Programs please don't hesitate to call us at (705)-428-2348.