Breeding rams need careful feeding and management during the mating period

The feeding and management requirements for breeding rams during the mating period are relatively meticulous. They must maintain good health and body condition, that is, upper-middle-grade fat condition, a strong constitution, abundant energy, strong libido, strong mating ability, and good semen quality.

Increase nutrition

During the mating period, breeding rams should be supplemented with a mixed concentrate rich in crude protein, vitamins, and minerals, along with hay. Coarse feeds suitable for feeding breeding rams include alfalfa hay, clover hay, and green oat hay. For concentrate, oats, barley, corn, sorghum, peas, black beans, and soybean cake are good choices. Succulent feeds include carrots, fodder beets, and so on. Generally, supplement with 1 kg to 1.5 kg of mixed concentrate per day, with green hay available for free intake (when mating in winter), 10 g of bone meal, and 15 g to 20 g of salt; when semen is collected many times per day, add 1 to 2 eggs.

Strengthen grazing and exercise

While supplementing feed, grazing should be strengthened and exercise appropriately increased to enhance the ram's constitution and improve sperm vitality. Grazing and exercise should be done in separate groups, and during grazing, keep as far away from the ewe flock as possible.

Strengthen management?

During the mating season, breeding rams have strong libido and an impatient temperament. When collecting semen, pay attention to safety. During grazing or exercise, someone should follow along to prevent breeding rams from mixing into the ewe flock and mating secretly. The breeding ram pen should be spacious and sturdy, kept clean and dry, and disinfected regularly.