Sheep farming can be a profitable business opportunity. One of them is due to the high demand for lamb for aqiqah and the restaurant business. Now, To get optimal livestock results, you need to provide the right and quality feed.
So, what types of feed are needed for sheep farming? And what is the proper way to feed sheep? Come on, find out the answer here, Champion Friends!
Types of Feed for Sheep
In general, sheep feed comes from forage consisting of various grasses and leaves. In addition, the feed given must contain the nutrients needed by the livestock's body, such as water, carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Several types of feed are used for sheep, namely:
- Grass groups, such as elephant grass, Bengal, brachiaria, king, Mexican, and natural grass.
- Group of nuts, such as lamtoro leaves, turi, gamal, peanut leaves, bean leaves, and calliandra.
- Agricultural Waste Products, such as jackfruit leaves, hibiscus leaves, dadap leaves, hibiscus leaves, banana leaves, corn leaves, cassava leaves, and cassava leaves.
- Strengthening Food Group (Concentrate), such as bran, dried corn, coconut meal, fish meal, soybean meal, tofu dregs, soy sauce dregs, and cotton seeds. This concentrate feed is only as additional feed.
The vitamins needed by livestock are usually sufficient in the feed mixture. As for mineral needs, you can add salt or mineral mix.
Not only that, water needs are also important you know Champion Friends. So that livestock can drink at all times, it is best to provide clean water in the pen at all times.
Proportion of Feeding Sheep
For the proportion of sheep feeding, you need to adjust it to the age level. The proportions of the mixture are:
- Adult livestock: grass 75%, leaves 25%
- Pregnant parent: grass 60%, leaves 40%, concentrate 2-3 glasses
- Nursing mothers: 50% grass, 50% leaves and 2-3 glasses of concentrate
- Babies before weaning: grass 50%, leaves 50%
- Weaning children: 60% grass, 40% leaves and 0.5–1 glass concentrate
Factors to Pay Attention to When Feeding
When feeding, you need to pay attention to several things, including:
- Feed must be clean, fresh, and not smell bad or moldy.
- Feed must be adjusted to the number, type, age and body condition of the sheep.
- Feed must be given regularly and consistently.
- Feed should be stored in a dry, shady place and protected from pests.
- Feed must be given in a clean container that is easily accessible to the sheep.
How to Feed Sheep
The method of feeding sheep can be adjusted to the maintenance system implemented. There are two maintenance systems that are commonly used, namely the intensive system and the semi-intensive system.
1. Intensive system
An intensive system is a rearing system in which sheep are kept in pens continuously and feed is provided by the farmer. This system is suitable for sheep fattening or milk production purposes. The feed given consists of forage, fortifying feed, and salt or feed supplement. The feeding schedule is given twice a day, namely in the morning and evening.
2. Semi-intensive system
This type of rearing system means sheep are kept in a pen at night and released during the day to find their own food in empty land, pastures or forests. This system is suitable for meat or wool production purposes. The feed provided consists of forage and additional fortification feed. The feeding schedule is given in the afternoon after the sheep return to the pen.
Benefits of Feed for Sheep
Providing appropriate and quality feed will provide benefits for sheep, including:
- Increases growth and body weight of sheep.
- Increases sheep reproduction and fertility.
- Increase sheep productivity, such as meat, wool and milk production.
- Improves the health and endurance of sheep.
- Improves the quality of sheep meat, wool and milk.
- Increasing profits and welfare of breeders.
These are the things you need to pay attention to when providing feed to sheep. Hopefully this is useful for those of you who want to maintain or develop a sheep farming business.
Champion Agrocommerce also provides various needs for your livestock, from feed to vitamins. Champion friends can get the product here.
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Reference:
1. Sheep Feed Management to Increase Business Efficiency at the Sumbersari Sheep Farm, Jember Regency. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367397004_Manajemen_Pakan_Ternak_Domba_untuk_Meningkatkan_Efisiensi_Usaha_di_Peternakan_Domba_Sumbersari_Kabupaten_Jember (accessed 6/12/2023)
2. Basic guide to sheep farming. URL: https://alamtani.com/ternak-domba/ (accessed 6/12/2023)
3. Feed for Sheep. URL: https://www.ilmuternak.com/2015/03/pakan-untuk-ternak-domba.html (accessed 6/12/2023)