Why is the Use of Pre-lambing Protein Feed in Sheep

One of the most critical periods in sheep nutrition is the final weeks approaching lambing. During this period, both the sheep’s nutritional needs increase and the development of the lambs in the womb accelerates.

Therefore, a correct and balanced feeding program must be implemented during the final stage of pregnancy. Nutrition and the feeds used during this period are of great importance for birth weight, lamb vitality, milk yield during lactation, and the ewe’s post-lambing recovery.

One of the issues that producers should pay the most attention to during this critical period is meeting the ewe’s protein requirements.

The reason for the increased protein requirement as lambing approaches is that a large portion of the lamb’s development in the womb occurs during the last 1/3 of pregnancy.

Furthermore, in twin or triplet pregnancies, the lambs in the womb develop rapidly. Consequently, the sheep’s need for protein, starch, minerals, and vitamins also rises.

If a pregnant ewe does not receive sufficient and high-quality protein, she may be forced to use her own body reserves and may struggle to meet the needs of the developing lambs.

For this reason, the ration must be sufficient in terms of protein during the period approaching lambing.

How Does Protein Feed Affect Lamb Development?

Protein is one of the fundamental building blocks for the muscle and tissue development of the lamb in the womb.

Providing sufficient protein during the final stage of pregnancy helps support the lamb’s development.

In undernourished ewes, the risk of miscarriage or encountering weak lambs may increase. Especially in cold weather conditions, lambs born weak have a lower chance of survival.

Therefore, the goal should be to obtain healthy and vigorous lambs.

Protein is Even More Important in Twin and Triplet Pregnancies

The nutrient requirements of a sheep carrying a single lamb are not the same as those of a sheep carrying twins or triplets.

In multiple pregnancies, since more lambs are developing in the uterus, the need for energy and protein can increase significantly, especially in the final stage of pregnancy.

Therefore, pregnancy status in the flock should be determined as much as possible, and the feeding of sheep carrying twins or triplets, in particular, should be adjusted accordingly.

Applying the same feeding program to a sheep carrying a single lamb and one carrying triplets may not always yield the correct results.

Does the Use of Protein Feed Affect Milk Yield?

After lambing, one of the most important tasks of the ewe is to provide her lamb with a sufficient amount of high-quality colostrum.

Especially in the first days after birth, it is of great importance that the lamb receives sufficient colostrum. We can ensure this through the high-quality protein source consumed by the ewe.

In sheep fed with low-protein roughage such as poor-quality straw, it may become difficult to meet requirements using only roughage.

At this point, a pre-lambing protein-supplemented concentrate feed with appropriate characteristics can be used.

However, the amount of feed should be determined based on roughage quality, the sheep’s live weight, the number of pregnancies, and the general condition of the flock.

Therefore, what is important is not to use high-protein feed, but to reach the protein level suitable for the sheep’s needs.

The balance of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other minerals is also important in ewes approaching lambing.

For this reason, one should seek an answer not only to the question “how much protein feed should I use?” but also to “how balanced is the sheep’s total ration?”

Let us not forget that;

A healthy lamb, a strong ewe, and good milk yield are shaped not after birth, but by correct nutrition provided before birth.