I just bought 2 emaciated ewes at the sale barn. .HELP!?
May 10, 2010 by
Filed under sheep for sale
I felt so bad for these poor sheep… No one bid on them, meaning that they would have been “Shot and put in the dumpster”. I paid $2.00 per sheep for them. Now I need to know how to safely help them gain weight. They could healthily gain 50 to 75 lbs each. Can I add oil to their grain? Any help would be great!!!
I have been raising sheep for 10 years, I’ve just never seen them this bad. They act like they don’t know what grain or alfalfa pellets are, put they were very enthusiastic about the good pasture! I gave them a mineral block and a salt block, and they have a small amount of grain available, just in case they do figgure out that it’s food…
i dont know about oil,but try leaves off of a branch,they love that.the problem is WILL they eat.if they will,them they should be ok.maybe some kid of vitamin supplement?
i wouldnt give them anything that could possibly make them worse ,just give them regular food for sometime and if their not gaing enough weight try some other types of food or even medicine.hope this answered your question!!!!
Right now it’s best to give them a good grain mix (leave out the oil).Corn usually works good in the mix. Sheep like it, it’s relatively inexpensive, and they do fatten well on it. (Corn does NOT need to be cracked or ground for sheep.) Soybeans or meal are often added for protein. Other possible supplements can include (but are certainly not limited to) spent distillers’ and brewers’ grains, oats, peanuts or peanut skins, and alfalfa pellets. Nothin beats good pasture and sheep should not be left on grain alone!
I used to use COB (corn, oats, barley) with or without molasses as a treat. Salt and mineral supplementation is required on a free choice, year-round basis. Failure to supplement salt and minerals results impaired immunity, and numerous metabolic disorders. A variety of salt and mineral supplements specifically formulated for sheep are commercially available. Be careful not to overfeed them, start off with small amounts gradually working up. Good luck with your new ewes! I hope they come around!
remember – to start feeding them small amounts at a time, their stomachs need to get used to the grain, make sure they are wormed, and give free choice hay and water at all times. good luck!