ANR-812 NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF SHEEP AND GOATS
ANR-812, New Oct 1994. Diego
M. Gimenez, Jr., Extension Animal
Scientist, Associate Professor, Animal and Diary Science,
Auburn University.
| Nutrient Requirements of Sheep
and Goats |
Feed, whether purchased or produced on the farm, makes
up a large part of the expenses incurred in sheep and goat production.
For profitable production, proper feeding and year-round management
are essential. Without proper nutrition, it is impossible to produce
a high-percentage crop, wean heavy animals, and develop satisfactory
flock replacements.
All sheep and goat producers should have a basic understanding
of animal nutrition and should be familiar with common nutrition
terms. Producers must also know the nutritional requirements of
the animal at different stages of life.
The ideal nutrition program supports optimum production, is
efficient and economical, and minimizes related problems. In order
to understand the fundamentals of small ruminant nutrition, we
must first know the nutrients essential for growth, production,
and reproduction. These essential nutrients are:
- Energy (fat and carbohydrates).
- Protein.
- Vitamins.
- Minerals.
- Water.
Energy
The most common limiting factor in small ruminant nutrition
is energy. An energy shortage will result in decreased production,
reproductive failure, increased mortality, and increased susceptibility
to diseases and parasites.
The most plentiful feeds available are the best sources of
energy. However, sheep and goats are often underfed. Poor-quality
pastures and roughages or inadequate amounts of feed are the primary
causes of energy deficiency. The major sources of energy for small
ruminants are usually pastures and browses, hay, and grains.
Total digestible nutrients (TDN) is a broad term used to express
the energy value of a feed or ration. As the amount of TDN increases
in a ration, the rate of gain normally increases. Therefore, feed
efficiency and overall performance are determined to a large extent
by the level of TDN or energy in the ration. The percentage of
TDN still remains the most widely used method of evaluating feed
for energy.
Protein
In small ruminants, the amount of protein is more important
than the quality of protein. When protein supplementation is the
primary objective, the cost per pound of protein is the most important
consideration.
Protein is used to repair old tissues and to build new tissues.
Protein deficiency is more detrimental to the young animal, so
an adequate amount of protein must be supplied if rapid growth
and high production are to be obtained. On the other hand, excessive
feeding is expensive.
Minerals
The essential minerals for sheep and goats are calcium, phosphorus,
and salt. The primary sources of these minerals are the diet,
various mineral supplements, and, in some areas, the water supply.
Minerals are needed in only small amounts.
Calcium is a necessary constituent of the bones and teeth and
is essential for regular heart action and muscular activity. A
calcium deficiency results in poor growth and bone development
in growing animals.
Phosphorus is an essential part of blood and of all cells in
the body. It is involved in chemical reactions which release energy
in the body. Bones and teeth contain relatively large amounts
of phosphorus as well as calcium. Calcium and phosphorus are interrelated:
while an adequate supply of each is required, they must also be
present in the ration in the proper proportions.
Vitamins
Vitamins are compounds which are necessary for normal growth,
health, and reproduction. Small ruminants require many vitamins,
just as other animals do. However, their dietary vitamin requirements
are relatively simple because of the nature of the feeds they
ordinarily consume and the synthesis of vitamins in the rumen.
Water
The many functions of water in the animal body include:
- Helping to digest food.
- Regulating the body temperature.
- Lubricating.
- Transporting waste from the body.
To combine feed ingredients into the least costly but most
efficient ration, producers must meet the nutritional requirements
of each animal at its particular stage of life. The following
tables provide estimates of the daily nutrient needs of sheep
and goats.
For more information, contact your county Extension
office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name
to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
|
If you have problems loading
this document, please email publications@aces.edu
for assistance.
Publications Homepage | ACES Homepage
|