What are the key points for feeding and managing sheep in winter?
Key points for raising sheep in winter?
(Agricultural Wealth Network) Key points for raising sheep in winter?
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1. Repair the sheep shed. The sheep shed should face south, with plenty of sunlight, good air circulation, dry and hygienic conditions, and good insulation. Before "Start of Winter," plug up draft holes to ensure the roof does not leak, the four sides are not drafty, and the ground is not damp. Sheep sheds that are dilapidated, leaky, or drafty should be repaired promptly; once deep winter arrives, straw curtains or cotton door curtains should be hung at the shed exits and ventilation openings to prevent "sneak winds" from entering.
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2. Reasonable grazing. In winter, except during heavy wind and snow, grazing should be maintained every day. Especially in early winter, when dry leaves are still relatively abundant and cold-tolerant plants are still growing, grazing should be done promptly, going out late and returning early, so the sheep can eat as much green grass as possible. When grazing, choose pastureland that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun, is high and dry, and has a good water source. Pay attention to grazing the shady slopes first and then the sunny slopes, the bottom of the ditch first and then the ditch slopes, and low grass first and then tall grass, so the sheep walk less and eat more grass. Persist in going out against the wind and returning with the wind, so the sheep gradually adapt to the cold. Keep ewes on nearby pastureland, keep growing sheep and wethers on farther grassland, and keep thin and weak sheep in a separate group on pastureland with more grass. Strengthen supervision so the sheep do not eat grass covered in mud, frost, or rain.
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3. Timely supplementary feeding. During the dry grass period of winter and spring, it is difficult for the flock to meet its nutritional needs by grazing alone, so half-day grazing and half-day supplementary feeding should be practiced. This can both reduce physical exertion and help maintain and increase body condition. For supplementary feeding with dry grass in winter and spring, mostly peanut vines, bean stalks, wild grass, etc. are used, with one adult sheep given 0.5-1.0 kg per day. If the number of sheep is small, the grass can be placed in a basket and the basket hung up for feeding; if the number of sheep is large, a homemade hay rack can be used to feed the grass, and the grass can also be tied into bundles and hung at a height the sheep can reach. For supplementary concentrated feed, a mixed concentrate can be made from grain flour, cornmeal, rice bran, soybean cake, etc., and fed once in the evening, with each adult sheep given 0.2-0.3 kg per day. In addition, attention should be paid to adding salt, vitamins, and trace elements; for lambs, breeding rams, and pregnant ewes, some green, succulent feed such as carrots should also be added.
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4. Ensure drinking water. In winter, forage is dry, so adequate drinking water must be ensured. Generally, water can be given once at 2 p.m. each day and once again after returning from grazing in the evening. The water temperature should preferably be around 25°C, and sheep should not be given cold water or water with ice bits.
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5. Pay attention to protecting the fetus. In winter, most ewes are already pregnant, so work to protect the fetus should be done well. When grazing, do not let them become overly fatigued; walk slowly, do not jump over ditches, do not climb steep slopes, do not walk on icy paths, and do not frighten the flock. When returning from grazing, control the flock well and avoid chasing and rushing them. Entering and leaving the pen gate should be steady, and crowding that could cause miscarriage must be strictly prevented.
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1. Repair the sheep shed. The sheep shed should face south, with plenty of sunlight, good air circulation, dry and hygienic conditions, and good insulation. Before "Start of Winter," plug up draft holes to ensure the roof does not leak, the four sides are not drafty, and the ground is not damp. Sheep sheds that are dilapidated, leaky, or drafty should be repaired promptly; once deep winter arrives, straw curtains or cotton door curtains should be hung at the shed exits and ventilation openings to prevent "sneak winds" from entering.
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2. Reasonable grazing. In winter, except during heavy wind and snow, grazing should be maintained every day. Especially in early winter, when dry leaves are still relatively abundant and cold-tolerant plants are still growing, grazing should be done promptly, going out late and returning early, so the sheep can eat as much green grass as possible. When grazing, choose pastureland that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun, is high and dry, and has a good water source. Pay attention to grazing the shady slopes first and then the sunny slopes, the bottom of the ditch first and then the ditch slopes, and low grass first and then tall grass, so the sheep walk less and eat more grass. Persist in going out against the wind and returning with the wind, so the sheep gradually adapt to the cold. Keep ewes on nearby pastureland, keep growing sheep and wethers on farther grassland, and keep thin and weak sheep in a separate group on pastureland with more grass. Strengthen supervision so the sheep do not eat grass covered in mud, frost, or rain.
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3. Timely supplementary feeding. During the dry grass period of winter and spring, it is difficult for the flock to meet its nutritional needs by grazing alone, so half-day grazing and half-day supplementary feeding should be practiced. This can both reduce physical exertion and help maintain and increase body condition. For supplementary feeding with dry grass in winter and spring, mostly peanut vines, bean stalks, wild grass, etc. are used, with one adult sheep given 0.5-1.0 kg per day. If the number of sheep is small, the grass can be placed in a basket and the basket hung up for feeding; if the number of sheep is large, a homemade hay rack can be used to feed the grass, and the grass can also be tied into bundles and hung at a height the sheep can reach. For supplementary concentrated feed, a mixed concentrate can be made from grain flour, cornmeal, rice bran, soybean cake, etc., and fed once in the evening, with each adult sheep given 0.2-0.3 kg per day. In addition, attention should be paid to adding salt, vitamins, and trace elements; for lambs, breeding rams, and pregnant ewes, some green, succulent feed such as carrots should also be added.
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4. Ensure drinking water. In winter, forage is dry, so adequate drinking water must be ensured. Generally, water can be given once at 2 p.m. each day and once again after returning from grazing in the evening. The water temperature should preferably be around 25°C, and sheep should not be given cold water or water with ice bits.
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5. Pay attention to protecting the fetus. In winter, most ewes are already pregnant, so work to protect the fetus should be done well. When grazing, do not let them become overly fatigued; walk slowly, do not jump over ditches, do not climb steep slopes, do not walk on icy paths, and do not frighten the flock. When returning from grazing, control the flock well and avoid chasing and rushing them. Entering and leaving the pen gate should be steady, and crowding that could cause miscarriage must be strictly prevented.