How to Raise Breeding Rams? Detailed Explanation of Feeding and Management Key Points
When raising sheep, we need to carry out proper feeding and management work according to the different characteristics of the sheep. Among them, special attention should be paid to breeding rams, as breeding rams are the key factor in ensuring the normal and sustainable development of sheep flock breeding. Therefore, when raising sheep, we must do a good job in the feeding and management of breeding rams. So how should breeding rams be fed and managed? Today, the editor brings you the key points for feeding and management of breeding rams. Let's take a look together below!
1. Management During the Non-Mating Period
During the non-mating period, breeding rams are mainly managed through a combination of grazing and barn feeding. The sheep barn for raising breeding rams should maintain good ventilation, be free from dampness, and have sufficient lighting. Provide at least 5 sq m of living space for each breeding ram, and also equip a sufficiently large exercise area. Breeding rams should be raised and grazed separately, and must never be mixed with ewes, otherwise it will lead to a decline in the ram's reproductive performance. Then also pay attention to controlling the feed properly, among which roughage should mainly consist of wild dried grass such as alfalfa hay. Concentrate feed should mainly consist of corn and soybean cake, and feeds such as cottonseed hulls must not be fed. Then maintain sufficient drinking water, let the breeding rams exercise appropriately, and maintain proper body condition.
2. Management During the Early Mating Period
When breeding rams begin the mating period, from one month to one and a half months before, it is the preparation period for breeding rams. During this stage, the feed requirements of breeding rams increase greatly, especially concentrate feed. So after entering the early mating period for breeding rams, we should appropriately increase the amount of concentrate feed. In the early and middle stages, the daily feeding amount should reach about 60%-70% of that during the mating period. Then when reaching the late preparation period before mating, the daily feeding amount should be maintained at the level of the mating period. And at this time, semen collection should be carried out for breeding rams about once every three days, mainly to expel dead sperm.
3. Management During the Mating Period
After breeding rams formally enter the mating period, they should begin to be fed mixed concentrate feed every day, with the amount maintained at about two jin. It is composed of substances such as corn, oil residue, and wheat bran. Then also pay attention to the feeding of roughage, with the amount of dried grass such as alfalfa maintained at about two kilograms, combined with an appropriate amount of carrots. If conditions permit, one egg can also be fed. Roughage and concentrate feed should each be fed about twice a day, and then sufficient drinking water should also be maintained. And the activity level of breeding rams should be appropriately increased, with daily activity time maintained at about two hours.
4. Management During the Peak Mating Period
During the peak mating period, the consumption of breeding rams is very large. So we should appropriately raise the standard of concentrate feed, with the feeding amount of concentrate feed maintained at about 1.3kg. The feeding amount of hay can remain unchanged, but if conditions permit, the amount of bone meal and salt can be appropriately increased. After the mating period ends, the feeding of breeding rams should mainly focus on recovery. The daily feeding amount should be gradually reduced, but not too quickly; it should be done step by step, allowing them to gradually reach the normal level.
The above is a brief introduction to the key points for feeding and management of breeding rams. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!