Feeding Methods and Techniques for Fattening Sheep in Summer
As temperatures rise higher and higher now, gradually reaching an average temperature value, sheep also become restless and uneasy because of the heat, and their feed intake declines. What they eat each day is less than half of what they consume in a day, causing sheep to lose fat. So how can you make sheep gain fat in summer? How should farmers feed them so that the sheep return to normal eating? Let's take a look together below.
1. Increase Nutrition
In summer, you cannot feed the same feed as before. As temperatures rise, you should feed the sheep high-quality forage grass with good palatability and rich nutrition. For example, green bean vines and similar plants, which are even more necessary for young sheep that have not long been weaned and for pregnant ewes. While feeding high-quality forage, you should also supplement some concentrate. Adult sheep need 150-250 grams of concentrate supplemented, and those just weaned need 50-150 grams of concentrate. If the concentrate contains ingredients such as rapeseed cake, it needs to be soaked in water for a whole day as a disinfection measure. Mix salt into the feed to regulate the acid-base balance in the sheep's body, and the water trough should be kept in a state of having water at all times, allowing the sheep to drink freely and promoting metabolism in the body.
2. Graze at the Right Time
Grazing sheep is very necessary. Grazing helps the sheep eat fresh grass and leaves every morning, increases the accumulation of nutrients in the body, and strengthens the sheep's own resistance. Grazing should be done every morning, because in the morning there is both fresh grass and leaves, and the sun's exposure can be avoided. However, it should be noted that the sheep must not eat grass with morning dew, because the dew contains many parasites, and eating too much of it will make the sheep prone to parasitic diseases. When the sun starts to give off warmth, drive the sheep back, and graze again in the evening, choosing grassland with fresh and tender grass. Before going out each time, let the sheep drink enough water.
3. Prevent Internal Heat
Summer is the hottest season of the year. Even people easily suffer from internal heat and heatstroke, let alone sheep. After grazing, do not drive the flock into the sheep shed right away, because during the journey out and back, the sheep have been moving constantly, generating a lot of heat, and will feel stiflingly hot. If the heat is not dissipated in time, they easily suffer from internal heat and get sick. After returning, the flock should be driven to a shady place without sun to rest, letting the sheep release their heat and ensuring their health. Of course, if the sheep shed is good enough and has a cooling system, they can also be driven directly into the shed to cool down. If you find that a sheep is listless and has reduced appetite, this indicates that the sheep has already suffered from internal heat. It should immediately be placed in a cool place for a few nights, and the sick sheep should be treated.
4. Deworming the Sheep
Summer is also the season when all kinds of mosquitoes and flies run rampant. Whether in sheep sheds or other livestock sheds, animals will be harassed by many mosquitoes and flies. Spray agents such as Chongkexing in the sheep shed to repel mosquitoes and flies, once a week, for one month.
The above is a brief introduction to how sheep should gain fat in summer. Sheep are very afraid of high temperatures, and high temperatures will make sheep listless and worsen their appetite, so naturally the phenomenon of fat loss will occur. Therefore, as long as the temperature is well controlled, sheep will no longer lose fat and can instead gain fat. Managing the flock well in summer also lays the foundation for breeding the flock in autumn. This article is for reference only, and we hope it is helpful to everyone.