Key Technical Points and Feeding Management Methods for Scientific Sheep Farming

Scientific Feeding and Management

Sheep farmers with relatively good economic returns have mostly adopted barn feeding, rationally combining forage and feed for barn feeding; this method can save on herding labor and strengthen the technical input. Using a combination of grazing and supplementary feeding, in addition to doing a good job of grazing during the green grass period, first, plant large amounts of high-quality forage such as alfalfa; second, store large amounts of stalks and make silage; third, strengthen supplementary feeding for lambs and field sheep. Adopt flexible grazing methods: first, graze in groups, dividing the flock into small groups by age, sex, and size, with each group ranging from 50 to 100 sheep; fattening sheep and growing sheep are grazed in groups during the green grass period, while breeding ewes and stud rams are grazed locally; second, according to the feeding characteristics of sheep, adopt the method of rotational grazing in sections, that is, after going out to graze each day, first let the sheep eat grass in places grazed on previous days, and when the sheep are half full, move them to fresh pasture to graze, and when the sheep are seen to be no longer nibbling much, then let them loose, using the "starry sky" method to let the sheep eat their fill. This method of "first raw then ripe, first tight then loose, three full meals a day," combined with the two slows (grazing should be slow in spring and autumn) and the three persistences (persist in grazing with the flock, going out early and returning late, and watering twice) and the three stabilities (stability in grazing, watering, and going out and coming in) as well as the four preventions (preventing running to green grass, preventing huddling, preventing harm, and preventing disease) is beneficial for the fattening of grazing flocks and for maintaining pregnancy and raising lambs.

Optimization of Flock Structure

By keeping the superior and eliminating the inferior, promptly culling old sheep and sheep with poor production performance year by year, selecting multiple times, and cultivating by classification and stages, adhering to the principle of adapting to time (timing) and market (market conditions) and proceeding step by step, the flock structure is continuously optimized and economic benefits are continuously improved. Because each household raises different breeds, different quantities, and develops differently, the selection methods differ and the selection ratios also differ. However, all should pay attention to the three stages of birth, weaning, and one year of age as well as multiple links including reproductive performance and the growth rate of offspring. The selection ratio for ewes is: culling rate 15%-20%, retention rate 35%-40%. For rams, according to circumstances, excellent breeds such as Suffolk, Dorset, Boer goat, and Small-tailed Han sheep are introduced, and generally they are not bred on their own. Through continuous selection, the age structure is maintained at young sheep (0.5-1.5 years old) accounting for 15%-20%, adult sheep (1.5-4 years old) accounting for 65%-75%, and 5 and a half years old accounting for 10%-20%. The proportion of ewes reaches 65%-70%, of which breeding ewes account for 45%-50%. The larger the proportion of ewes, the higher the slaughter rate and the better the economic benefits.

Selection and Mating Methods

This means that through the rational selection of individual male and female sheep mates and the adoption of scientific mating methods, the goal of matching superior with superior and achieving full conception is realized. It can not only fully and effectively utilize superior stud rams, but also artificially control the lambing season and mating frequency. Estrus control techniques such as simultaneous estrus can also be used so that ewes come into estrus in a timely and concentrated manner and are mated within a relatively short period, achieving a higher conception rate and mating rate, enabling all ewes of suitable age to be mated and conceive, while also improving lamb quality.

Cultivation of Lambs

In the late pregnancy and early lactation periods of ewes, provide reasonable supplementary feeding, and at the same time do a good job of watering, salt supplementation, and shed sanitation. Supplementary feed varies according to local forage, season, and ewe condition; the concentrate composition is corn 51%, wheat bran 8%, cakes 23%, alfalfa meal 10%, bone meal 3%, salt 2%, calcium hydrogen phosphate 3%. The supplementary amount is generally 0.5 kg-0.7 kg per sheep per day, fed in two supplementary feedings in the morning and evening, along with an appropriate amount of high-quality forage. Before lambing, carefully observe the condition of the ewe, with dedicated staff on duty at night, assisting lambing as it occurs. After lambs are born, strengthen cultivation and ensure suckling for multiple lambs. From 10 days to 14 days after birth, lambs begin to be given high-quality forage and compound feed. The supplementary feed and amount vary according to location and lamb; for most lambs, the compound feed supplementation amounts are: 50 g-70 g per day at two weeks of age, 100 g-150 g at 1-2 months of age, 200 g at 2-3 months of age, 250 g at 3-4 months of age, and 300 g-500 g at 4-6 months of age. The concentrate composition is corn 40%, cakes 25%, alfalfa forage 25%, wheat bran 8%, bone meal 2%, and an appropriate amount of salt.

Disease Prevention

In addition to routine vaccine injections, after shearing, medicated bathing is carried out, and deworming is conducted with drugs such as Chonexing in spring and autumn each year. At the same time, plant ash and the like are spread at the entrances of activity areas and pens for disinfection, and abnormal or diseased sheep are isolated and treated to reduce the incidence rate and mortality rate.