Feeding Methods for Various Sheep Feed

1.    Silage Feed
Silage can preserve a large amount of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and is characterized by being soft, sweet, acidic, mature, and aromatic. When additives such as urea, ammoniation agents, and proteins are included during fermentation, the quality of the silage improves. However, silage is highly acidic and may cause mild diarrhea, so an adaptation period is needed when first fed. It should be mixed with roughage and concentrate feed, and should not be fed alone. Pregnant ewes should be fed as little silage as possible, and feeding should stop 15 days before lambing. If the silage is too acidic, it can be neutralized using a 5%-10% lime milk solution before feeding.



2.    Hay Feed
Hay feed has poor palatability, and some grasses tend to shed their stems and leaves when dried, making the sheep picky eaters. Therefore, when feeding hay, it should be cut into small pieces of about 1.5-2 cm. For elderly or young sheep, the hay can be cut even smaller.

3.    Straw Feed
Straw is long, coarse, and hard, making it difficult for sheep to consume, and its digestibility is low. Besides cutting the straw into small pieces, it can be treated by soaking, ammoniation, alkalinization, or fermentation.
（1）Soaking Method: Cut the straw into 2-3 cm pieces and soak it in clean water to soften it, which can improve palatability and increase feed intake. Soaking in a mild saline solution can make it even more appealing to sheep.
（2）Ammoniation Method: Cut the straw and apply a solution made from 12-20 kg of 25% ammonia water or 3-5 kg of urea mixed with 30-40 kg of water per 100 kg of straw. After spraying it evenly, seal the mixture in plastic bags or feed film and leave it for 20 days. After ventilation for 12-24 hours, it can be fed.
（3）Alkalinization Method: Cut the straw into short pieces and soak it in 1% lime water at a ratio of 3:1 for 2-3 days. After draining the lime water, the straw is ready to be fed. Salt can be added to the lime water for better results. Alternatively, sodium hydroxide solution (5%) can be sprayed on the straw and mixed evenly, ready for feeding after 24 hours.
（4）Fermentation Method: EM bacterial fermentation is commonly used. Mix 2 kg of EM solution, 2 kg of brown sugar, and 320 kg of water, and evenly spray it over 1000 kg of crushed straw. Seal it in a fermentation pit for 20-30 days before use. Alternatively, dry straw can be fermented using biological agents, mixing them with sugar and salt solutions before sealing in a fermentation pit for 30 days.

4.    Concentrated Feed
Bran can be mixed with drinking water for feeding, while dried melon can be fed alone. Grains can be ground into powder and mixed with roughage, which helps improve the palatability and intake of roughage. Legumes should be soaked or cooked in hot water and then ground into a juice, which can be mixed with probiotic solutions for optimal results. Rapeseed cake needs to be detoxified before use. It can be soaked in 4-5 times its weight of 80°C-90°C hot water for 1.5 hours, stirring constantly, then drained and mixed with 1.5-2 cm pieces of roughage.

5.    Juicy Feed
Fresh feeds such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, and cabbages can be cut into thin strips and mixed with roughage. This not only supplements nutrition but also improves the palatability of the feed, boosts sheep's appetite, promotes gastrointestinal motility, reduces the occurrence of rumen indigestion and intestinal blockages, and increases digestibility.