Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Drinking Water Technology in Sheep Raising

In winter and spring, due to the relatively low temperature, if sheep are given cold water or even water with ice chips, they are unwilling to drink, which will cause insufficient drinking water intake in sheep. This not only slows down the feed digestion process in sheep, obstructs internal metabolism, and reduces body condition, but can also cause diseases such as food stagnation or abomasum impaction. Therefore, in production, drinking water conditions must be created for sheep to ensure clean and sufficient drinking water.

Water Temperature Control

After drinking water enters the sheep's body, if the water temperature is lower than the sheep's body temperature, the water must absorb heat converted by the sheep itself from feed to reach the same temperature as the body before it can take effect, which reduces feed utilization. Therefore, in winter and spring, the ideal drinking water temperature for sheep is 20°C to 30°C.

Method Control

Drinking water: In order to encourage sheep to drink more water and drink enough, sheep should be given water mixed with concentrate. The method is: first scald the concentrate with boiling water, stir evenly to make it into a paste, then add a certain amount of cold water, stir evenly, and let the sheep drink it.

Water Quantity Control

Drinking water: For every 1 kg of dry matter consumed by sheep, 3 to 5 kg of drinking water is needed. Therefore, in winter and spring, according to the situation of sheep consuming forage and feed, sheep should be given drinking water at 3 to 5 times the amount of dry matter.

Time Control

It is advisable to give sheep drinking water twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and they should drink 1 hour after being fed grass and feed. This can also allow the water and forage to mix fully in the sheep's rumen, which helps digestion.