Different breeds of sheep have different needs. The Katahdin breed will tend to need more food than Highlands breeds.
What to feed your Ewes to prepare them for tupping
Barley, corn, and wheat are all good feed for Ewes and provide an optimum amount of energy. Millet, oats rye, and Speltz are good alternatives but do not provide as much energy for you Ewes. Feed compounds are a great option since they provide many or all of the essential nutrients or micronutrients and take out the guesswork when it comes to assuring your animals are getting what they need for optimal conditioning. There are many different feed compounds to suit different needs. Ewes in poor condition should be given Ewe nuts or Sheep mix to prepare them for tupping, gradually increase the amount over a few weeks to help get them ready.
Getting ewes ready for breading by flushing
The process of feeding a ewe to gain weight for a two-week period before breeding may increase the size of the Katahdin lamb by as much as 10-20 percent. This process is known as flushing. Ewes in slightly poorer condition are easier to flush than higher conditioned ewes. If at all possible save your best pasture for flushing. If any ewes are over fat, they should be put on a strict grazing program, until they are fit for tupping.
Feeding ewes during pregnancy
During the last four weeks of pregnancy, a Katahdin ewe needs more energy to support the needs of her lambs. To prepare the ewe for lambing, a feeding compound should be added to the diet about six weeks before lambing occurs. The ewe’s diet should be adjusted to provide all the essential proteins, vitamins, minerals, and digestible energy that is necessary for the Katahdin ewe to have healthy lambs. Be careful not to overfeed the ewes. Katahdin lambs gain most of their birth weight in the last month of pregnancy so it is very important that the ewe be given enough feed to support its growth.
Feeding young Katahdin lambs
Young Katahdin lambs should be put on a starter feed from about a week of age. The feed should provide nutrients that promote optimal growth of the lamb. The feed must be easily digestible. Proteins are a source of energy for young lambs and a good feed will provide them with much of the protein they need. When feeding young lambs carefully monitor their food intake, if they are not getting enough milk from the ewe, they may need additional feed. Be careful not to overfeed or leave old feed out for consumption. The feed should always be fresh for young lambs.
