How (AND WHAT) I Feed My Sheep: VLOG 124 

Kinsey is adorable!

Thank you!

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Thanks!

Thats awesome!!

Thanks Kim!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

great!

I learn lot of things from ur videos. Thanks for everything.

You're very welcome!

Thanks for sharing Ben! I forgot to mention this year we have been adding some soybean meal to our lactation ration to bump up the protein. Most years, we've been able to get it completely from our hay.

You're very welcome.

YOu're very welcome!

Thanks Keith!

Thanks!

You're welcome!!

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Thanks for sharing Jamie!

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He totally did. LOL!

@@SandiBrock Too Hilarious!

That and Kinsey trying to pull the hay cart!! Great entertainment!!!

Hi there! I'm not very familiar with barley fodder... sorry! Maybe someone reading this can comment?

@@SandiBrock we never have straight barley, but we DO have mixed grain, 60%barley/40%oats. Its always been fed to the cattle...when I arrived on scene, I began feeding to the horses and the milk cow, and as we gradually got them, the bottle goats/lambs, of course the everpresent cats snd kittens and the old red hen. *She* strolls up to the fighting mass at the kettle each trying to get a larger mouthful than the next, calmly saunters through the furry mess, and when the last head hasn't removed itself quickly enough, gives one precise peck on the top of it, squarely between the ears and the recipient scrambles backwards allowing the old red hen to ruffle her feathers into their proper place, she peers over the leavings carefully, choosing her breakfast very carefully, and takes her one precise beakful then again ruffles her feathers and skirts into place again, turns like the grand old dame that she is and solemnly walks away again, of course mass hysteria ensues as everyone tries to reclaim EVERY spot around that kettle of cooked feed again, lest The Human come back and finish doling out the rest of the contents, then give the (almost) empty pot to the dairy cow to finish licking out. At which point its notworth the risk of attempting to get even one pawful more! They've each been treated to a Dolly bath at least once in their lives...dolly doesn't much care, wet kittens emerging, fresh from the Dollymouth, do! A *very* great deal! And tend to remember for a lifetime.😎👏👏🤷‍♀️ sorry, if you were meaning barley silage? Fed it one year, snimals LOVED it, gained like crazy, actually had to be a bit careful, lest they founder, hubby placed concrete blocks all along the mangers to keep them from gobbling too fast(bear in mind, he was dealing with beef cattle, not sheep) snd the greater concern for him was bloat, or possibly founder..so slowing DOWN consumption eas the primary concern for him. Granted he also besides a free acess salt/mineral block was sprinkling baking soda on top..hoping to stop any cases of the aformentioned bloat before snything rrally got underway. We also hsd on hand, "feeding oil" which got put into a eatering can(for indoor houseplsnts) and dribbled along on top too...anything to stop bloating!

*rotationaly

Yeah but lambing rate is what counts the most and I believe most lambing would be achieved in closed system

@@croatian_menace good point, we do our lambing in spring so we don't have to deal with the cold of winter. With a closed system though it would make sense to lamb year round in order to match your lamb to profit ratio

@@Chuck_Wheat Also number of lambs per ewe improves in closed system comparing to grazing.

@@croatian_menace With the breeds and feeding program Sandi is using, her rations could increase her lamb to ewe ratio.

Adam, I will have to get back to you on replacement rates... Its been high. Udder evaluations has been my number one criteria to improve my lambing performance. But as I keep better records, I'm starting to be a bit more selective on age, weaning results of their lambs, etc. As for the listeriosis, I've had very little so far... For us, we plan out the bag size based on our ration. So if we don't think we can keep the face of the bag fresh daily, we will opt for the small dimension bag. Or, we work with the feed company to bump up the silage in the ration to also accomplish this. But, it can happen for sure. Our hay is always too wet... not quite baleage, not quite dry hay. So we have to wrap it. I have a friend who custom grinds hay and he said it just won't work at that moisture. It will rope. This hay I'm feeding right is some bought hay to get us through for a bit and would definitely chop, but I have no where to store the pile. Its just logistics. But you're absolutely right.

@@SandiBrock Thanks, our turn over rate has been pretty low but I think most of that is due to the young age of our flock. I have been drying my ewes down at weaning the last couple of years and since then I haven't dealt with much if any mastitis issues.

I go into a bit more detail on why I went with the cart and stationary mixer in my next video... It was due to my set up. I've definitely had my fair share of troubles with free feeding lambs, but typically due to me and not transitioning them slowly onto a different diet.

Bo- what does B.O.S.S stand for?

I've tried doing this so many times... This mixer just doesn't process bales... I've tried replacing knives, putting in small amounts at a time... nothing works... Just not the right mixer for the job... but there are great ones on the market!

do you have keenan mixers over there in canada , they are a great mixer made here in ireland . what weight do sale the lambs at roughly in kgs

Tried it all. New knives and all. No dice. Our hay is always a bit too wet. This hay would have likely worked, but it was just some temporary hay we bought and I didn't feed it real long.

I feed TMR for the ease of feeding, and less sorting and waste.

Sandi Brock oh okay that makes a lot of sense. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to do a TMR for sheep! Love the videos!

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awesome!

Hi there. Isn't it better to crush the corn instead of whole corn?

I would try to seek out a nutritionist to help you create a ration dependent on your needs... Most rations are custom to what each farmer has to work with for forages and grain.

Great! Thanks for watching! Lamb prices depend on weight, and if its replacement stock...

Yes for sure... I only feed this hay for a couple weeks typically then switch back to the TMR dry ration. This hay is some we had to buy last week. Our baled hay is always too wet and we wrap it. So when I tried to get the guys in to grind it, they said it would likely just rope. Trust me. I've had a history with hay and this mixer. and many tears of frustration. This hay would definitely chop up good tho! Thanks for the suggestion!

Hi Heba! You are so right! Unfortunately, a very small market here in Ontario. And a contract with a processor is not always a sure bet. Its also something I have no knowledge on and not sure my facilities could support it. Also, labour here in Ontario is a huge problem...

Just a thought, but Why not contact any of your local Mosques or Islamic centers as that is a Huge growing market for live animals ... and... the up comming holiday after the pilgrimage is soon, where Live Animals are required!!!

@@SandiBrock and about labor, you could take on Apprentice workers and the Gov will help with their salaries! Check with your local welfare office to ask, or local Unions... also the 4H people should be interested for youth education programs...Wishing you all the best...

No, I haven't looked at too many options to date... interesting though!

Corn silage is just our grain corn harvested at around 68% moisture... the haylage is a 70:30 alfalfa:grass mix (timothy and orchardgrass)

We could if we transferred row cropping ground into pasture... but we haven't quite committed to that yet. Paying pretty hefty prices on land and equipment...

Probably... But I doubt the very little dry corn added to the ration will justify the cost of a hammer mill... So far, they still clean everything up. But you're right, that would most definitely help!

We live in South western Ontario, Canada.

@@SandiBrock thanks just wanted to know. Keep up the fab work x

Yes, the peas and oats are packed in the ag bags just like haylage or corn silage.

Sandi Brock thank you very much! I’m planting some this year here in WA (very small scale) and I’m looking for to make some silage for the winter.

It makes great feed. Tested very high in protein!

That plastic is such a pain... But yes it stays intact, and I have to pull in out (when the mixer is safely turned off...)

@@SandiBrock please don't risk it anyways! You've got a system that works for you now, rejigging it is just begging for trouble!

Compared to feeding at the bunk? That was quite a few years ago... I'm not really sure! So many other changes in management and breeds happened since then that I'm not sure if I could pin point the change of gain solely on the feeders... I do like these feeders though!

@@SandiBrock Thanks for the come back, sure enjoy the channel. Correct on the bunk feeding.

The good thing with sheep is how they can process their feed. They can grind their own grain with their teeth... I was once told that when purchasing bagged manure for gardens, sheep manure is preferred as they are the ones that can really digest weed seeds. Not sure if thats true, but kind of cool!

Once a day with these feed bunks.

I'm not much for knowledge on show sheep... sorry!

S Bergman they do... the ewe lambs after 12 weeks that we retain, get switched to a measured grain amount daily, but still free choice hay.

Hey Delaney! Oh wow... I don't know near enough about feed or how to feed it... I rely on Mark to choose the hay variety and blend, and my feed guy to develop rations... Is there anyone in extension or a feed nutritionist you could ask??

I guess you can run into major imprinting problems with your lambs with feeding (bottle vs mom).as well. As you know with their babies' brains, you and the ewes give them all the knowledge they need to start out in their life. What they get use to is what they prefer to do later in life.

If all things stayed the same on my farm, but I had to buy all this feed (same quality), I would have to say no. However, thats not to say with a better end marketing business plan, you could perhaps make it work.

@@SandiBrock Hi, S, if the sheep dont pay unless you grow your own feed, i would look at it like this, 1600 acs land,grow what is the most profitable,and marketable in your area, ditch the sheep, have 6 months stress free, and have a rethink, as you have some wonderfull buildings, start a snail breading enterprise,its a much slower pace of life..

@@SandiBrock thanks

Hi I used to feed an all whole corn/protein diet to my lambs. 16% ration (4 parts corn to 1 part protein) and all the dry hay they could eat. I had an aweful time with urinary calculi and some metabolic problems. I had to change to a mix of barley and or oats(depending on what I could talk the feed company into), to fix the problem. Obviously in my mind if you were having that problem you would probably have changed your lamb ration. Have you had the problem and if so how did you deal with it. IU just like the idea of whole corn in the sheep diet.

Sorry to be clear barley is part of the grain ration being roughly 25%-30% with rolled corn and the protein.

The peas and oats are cut as green feed, so not fully mature. Its an alternative for haylage, not grain. The pellet is a 39% protein pellet so it will have soybean meal and a premix. I will have to check for actual ingredients.

@@SandiBrock Thanks Sandi, you are an inspiration. (So ok, you are not feeding them PEAS, you are feeding them PEA PLANTS. This is very different. My feed expert says sheep should not have dried peas in their mix. i.e. you shouldn't feed a sheep an "all stock" feed it usually has peas. And for some reason, goats are ok with the peas. I will keep looking and try to find out exactly why sheep shouldn't have peas.) Thank you for listening Sandi :-)

There is lots of research on this. You only loose about 10% by feeding whole corn. If you go pick up a cornel in the manure you will see that its hollow. The only thing not digested is the outside. Most of that same outside is not digested when you grind or crack either, you just can't see it, or it's not as noticeable. Often times the cost to grind or crack is greater than 10% so it doesn't prove cost effective.

Daniel Wall So using your logic or lack there of... If I buy $1000 worth of corn 🌽 then feeding whole corn only loses $100. When buying in bulk, grinding corn only adds about $5 to a ton of grain.

@@BrianBriCurInTheOC Doesn't matter if you agree with me or not. People who feed millions of cows and sheep feed whole corn. I was just trying to educate you a little. Research it for yourself, maybe you will reach a different conclusion. You do what you want and make more money than anyone else, since you are clearly smarter than researchers.

See this article from Okla State U oprec.okstate.edu/animal-science/research-newsletters/by-date/2006%20Beef%20Reports/bcr-updt-march-2006.pdf

@@danielwall5013 I posted a Study by Okla State U that clearly shows you are incorrect. I have taken College Courses in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition along with Chemistry which provide book knowledge along with my experience and research in The University of Google. LoL! You remind me of an ole school practice farmers used in the 30s-50s where there would run cows in corn fields with hogs behind them that ate the whole corn kernels. the reason I asked Sandi about this issue in sheep is I have not studied sheep as much as I have studied cattle & pigs. As you must know, sheep make manure which is in a much different form than cattle & pigs.

I think I can finally say after 7 years, I am above water... And I LOVE this question... Our business plan is always about re-investing back into the farm... (you'd know it after looking at my house LOL) Our goal is to invest in things that will make us do better with what we currently have... More bushels per acre, more lambs per ewe... Not necessarily growth through expansion, its growth through improvement. We've looked at 10 years for a vision, and 5 years for our mission. But every year we change and take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves...

Sandi Brock Thank-you for answering

Justin Trudeau should help substitute expenses...

Good eye!! This feed is SO WET!! We harvested these peas and oats in October in less than ideal drying conditions... So its sitting at 75% moisture... way wetter than typical. Add in some overnight snow that gets in the front of the bag and its even wetter. We usually try to harvest around 68% moisture...

Oh, I definitely don't rely on dry hay typically... I'm just short this year due to drought conditions on our hay establishment. I'm trying to conserve the peas and oats until first cut is ready. But we do feed bales to finishing lambs.

Haylage for rabbits is a no go. It ferments even if it isn't that much and rabbit digestion cannot handle that. Sheep handle it better, but they to would be better of on real hay.

I am pretty lucky to be surrounded by a few good feed mills that are now taking small ruminant nutrition seriously. My feed salesman recently switched to another feed company, so I am now affiliated with Wallenstein Feeds here in Ontario. But honestly, any bigger feed mill in this area I would trust their nutritionist on staff.

I can typically fit around 1200kg in the mixer at a time... Right now, because of how wet this feed is, I had to run the mixer on the slow setting... the belts were slipping something awful.

about 45 min north of London

Meredith is a great friend (although still just virtually) and we talk often... Its nice having someone doing this RU-vid thing to talk to and to be supported by!

We feed corn silage, and as long as you can keep the face of the storage fresh (by feeding enough) it stays fresh. I feed once a day, but have bunks to allow for this.

@@SandiBrock thanks for reply, only silage is enough in complete day? Or any other grains should need to maintain the diet. Some people provide green fodder in morning and in evening mixture of different grains

Oh for sure!! Just one ingredient in my ration. I also feed a haylage (currently thats peas and oats due to some drought issues), also have dry corn and mineral added to mix.

@@SandiBrock thanks

we have a few bales of peas and oats, but the majority is alfalfa bales... we were just short this year due to drought. The silage is only used in TMR.

@@SandiBrock thank you 😊

You bet... Especially if I'm not able to keep the face of the bag fresh. I got my feed company to increase the amount in each ration to ensure I can do this. Its helped immensely.

Corn silage is used fairly often here in Ontario. It can be a great source when balanced by a nutritionist with other feed sources. Ours is a portion of a ration that also includes haylage (or whatever forage we grow). I think our biggest risk here is listeriosis if the feed storage gets mouldy. Keeping the face fresh each day is really the only way to combat these issues. So for me, we need to take bag dimension really seriously when storing our corn silage. If I feel the ration won't use up enough in a day for a bigger bag, then we go to the smaller one. Lots of planning...

Sandi Brock thank you for the reply. This makes sense. I’m glad I found your channel as it is interesting to see how a large scale market lamb operation works. I live in west central Ohio and my family farms between 150-200 ewes for market lambs. I’d like to take it to the next level after I graduate from college so seeing how you do things puts ideas in my head

Ontario, Canada

My feed company does.

@@SandiBrock thank you

Alfalfa/grass mix.

@@SandiBrock you are great thank you very much 😊

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this! Especially since you've done all the hard work up to this point! I would start with your feed... Often nutrition can be a big issue if something is just not right... I would most definitely talk to a vet and discuss what possibilities would cause this... a treatment plan, and prevention plan... More vets need to be used as consultants to help us through these tough times...

I do.

do you have hoof issues and how often do you have to tend to them. The other issue is dipping or parasite treatment. How do you deal with that? or you have a separate video for that?