Fast and Healthy Weight Gain with Concentrated Lamb Fattening Feed: What You Need to Know
Fast and Healthy Weight Gain with Concentrated Lamb Fattening Feed: What You Need to Know
The key to success in lamb farming is feeding with the right ration at the right time. In lambs raised for butcher, sacrificial, or breeding purposes, the goal is to maximize daily live weight gain without compromising animal health. In this article, we have compiled practical information ranging from lamb fattening feed selection to transition programs, from roughage usage to essential health applications.
1. When Should Feeding Begin?
The transition to concentrate feed in lambs should be planned starting from the 20th day following birth. During this period, the feed habituation process is initiated by placing a small amount of quality lamb fattening feed in front of the lamb. Starting with 30 grams in the first days and gradually increasing it every day up to 180 grams is important for the digestive system to adapt without being exposed to sudden changes.
2. Why Is the Protein Level Important?
There are concentrated lamb fattening feeds on the market with different protein ratios ranging from 28 HP to 42 HP. Since the protein requirement is higher during the growth period in young lambs, high-protein (38-42 HP) formulas should be preferred. Once the lamb starts consuming 180 grams of fattening feed and 350 grams of grain crack/crush/flake mixture, ad libitum feeding can be initiated.
3. Do Not Neglect Roughage Support
Lamb fattening feed should not be used alone, especially with hammer-milled straw. For the rumination function to work healthily, it is recommended to provide at least 130-150 grams of chopped straw or hay per lamb daily. Presenting roughages in a separate hay rack both facilitates consumption and ensures the balanced progression of the ration. The principle of “limited dry hay, unlimited chopped straw” will be a guide at this point.
4. Do Not Rush the Feed Transition
When transitioning to a new concentrated lamb fattening feed, a feed transition program of at least 7 days should be applied. Since sudden feed changes can lead to digestive disorders and diarrhea, it is beneficial to get support from animal nutrition experts during the transition process.
5. Water, Salt, and Basic Needs
Clean water, rock salt, and quality roughage should always be freely available in front of the lambs. When water consumption drops, feed consumption also automatically decreases; this directly affects daily weight gain.
6. Do Not Neglect the Health Program
Simultaneously with feeding, internal and external parasite applications must be carried out regularly. The enterotoxemia vaccination should be applied in 2 doses at 21-day intervals, and internal-external parasite injections must be completed within the first 10 days if the lamb is brought into the enterprise from outside.
7. Habituation Is Essential for Externally Sourced Lambs
In lambs procured from outside for sacrificial, votive, or collection purposes, they must first be habituated to the concentrated feed and grain mixture, and then free-choice feeding should be adopted. If this step is skipped, both digestive problems and efficiency losses may occur.
Conclusion
When the right lamb fattening feed selection, gradual transition program, balanced roughage support, and an uninterrupted health program come together, your lambs can be ready for slaughter or sale in as short a time as 4 months.