Sheep Feed Planning: Matching Flock Needs to Forage Supply

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

Nutritional requirements are dynamic and stage-dependent: A mature ewe's dry matter intake ranges from 2.5% of body weight for maintenance to 4% for lactation, with energy demands peaking in late gestation (40-60% increase) and lactation (2-3 times maintenance) due to fetal growth and milk production.
Forage quality dictates supplementation needs: Low protein (<7% crude protein) or energy (TDN <52%) forages necessitate supplementation, especially for ewes in late gestation (10-12% CP) and lactation (12-14% CP), to prevent metabolic disorders like pregnancy toxemia.
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a critical management tool: Scoring ewes at weaning, breeding (target 3-3.5), and mid-gestation (target 3) allows for proactive adjustments to feeding to ensure optimal fertility, lamb survival, and milk production.
Accurate forage budgeting is paramount for cost control: Calculating flock demand (dry matter intake) and comparing it to inventoried forage supply (converted to dry matter) is essential, with a 10-15% buffer recommended to account for unforeseen conditions like weather or feed quality variations.
Proactive veterinary consultation is cost-effective: Seek professional advice for signs of metabolic disease (pregnancy toxemia, acidosis), rapid condition loss, or if multiple ewes exhibit illness, as early intervention significantly reduces economic losses and improves flock health outcomes.

Planning sheep feed is one of the most important management tasks you will do each year. Getting it wrong means either running out of forage mid winter or spending too much on hay and grain you did not need. This guide covers the full process of sheep feed planning, from calculating flock requirements to budgeting pasture and stored forage, supplementing ewes at different stages of production, and adjusting your plan as conditions change. It is written for sheep farmers of all scales, from small flock owners to commercial operations, and for agricultural advisors who help producers make these decisions.

At a Glance

Know your numbers first. A mature ewe needs roughly 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of dry matter per day depending on body weight, stage of production, and weather.
Match feed to stage. Late gestation and early lactation are the highest demand periods. A ewe carrying twins may need 50 percent more energy in late pregnancy than a dry ewe.
Budget forage before you need it. Calculate your total forage supply in terms of dry matter and compare it to flock demand for the entire winter feeding period.
Test your hay. You cannot balance a ration without knowing the nutrient content of your forage. A forage test costs far less than a production loss.
Body condition scoring is your best tool. Score ewes at weaning, breeding, and mid gestation, then adjust feeding before problems appear.
Have a plan for the unexpected. Weather, feed quality, and ewe condition all change. Build a 10 to 15 percent buffer into your feed supply.
Call for help early. If you are unsure about ration balancing, if multiple ewes are losing condition, or if you suspect a health problem, contact your veterinarian or extension agent before losses mount.

Why Sheep Feed Planning Matters

Sheep are ruminants with a digestive system designed for forage. Their nutritional needs change dramatically across the production cycle, and the gap between what pasture provides and what the flock requires can widen quickly. Feed is typically the largest variable cost in a sheep operation, often accounting for 50 to 60 percent of total production costs. Poor planning leads to two costly outcomes: underfeeding, which reduces lamb survival, milk production, and ewe fertility, and overfeeding, which wastes money and can lead to metabolic problems like pregnancy toxemia or obesity.

The core of feed planning is matching supply with demand. Supply includes pasture growth, standing forage, hay, silage, and supplemental grains or byproducts. Demand includes maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, and the extra energy needed to stay warm in cold weather. When supply falls short of demand, you must either provide more feed or reduce demand by selling animals, weaning early, or improving pasture utilization.

Sheep feed planning is not a one time calculation. It is a continuous process that starts before breeding, adjusts through gestation and lactation, and responds to weather and pasture conditions all year. The farmers who do this well are the ones who keep records, monitor body condition, and make small adjustments before small problems become large ones.

Understanding Sheep Nutritional Requirements

Before you can plan a feeding program, you need to understand what your sheep actually need. Nutritional requirements are expressed in several ways, but for practical on farm use, the most important measures are dry matter intake, energy, protein, and minerals.

Dry Matter Intake

Dry matter intake is the total amount of feed consumed excluding water. Sheep eat to meet their energy needs, but physical fill limits how much they can consume. A ewe typically consumes 2.5 to 4.5 percent of her body weight in dry matter per day, depending on feed quality, stage of production, and environmental conditions. A 150 pound ewe in mid gestation might eat 4 to 5 pounds of dry matter daily. The same ewe in late lactation might eat 6 to 7 pounds.

Feed quality affects intake. High fiber, low quality forages digest slowly and fill the rumen before the ewe meets her energy needs. High quality forages and grains digest faster and allow higher intake. This is why a ewe can lose condition on poor hay even if she appears to be eating plenty.

Energy

Energy is the most limiting nutrient in most sheep operations. It is measured in total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestible energy (DE), or net energy (NE). For practical purposes, most producers work with TDN or energy density in the ration.

Energy requirements increase sharply in late gestation and lactation. In the last 4 to 6 weeks before lambing, the growing lambs take up significant space in the abdomen, reducing rumen capacity. At the same time, energy demand rises by 40 to 60 percent for a ewe carrying twins. This combination means the ewe cannot eat enough low quality forage to meet her needs. She needs a more energy dense diet, which means higher quality forage, grain, or both.

Protein

Protein is needed for tissue maintenance, fetal growth, and milk production. Most mature ewes on good pasture or quality hay get enough protein. Problems occur when ewes are fed poor quality forage, especially mature grass hay or straw, which can be below 6 percent crude protein. Rumen microbes need a minimum of about 7 percent crude protein in the diet to digest fiber effectively. Below that level, digestibility drops and intake falls.

Ewes in late gestation need 10 to 12 percent crude protein in the diet. Lactating ewes need 12 to 14 percent. Growing lambs have the highest protein needs relative to energy, requiring 14 to 18 percent crude protein depending on growth rate.

Minerals and Vitamins

Sheep have specific mineral requirements that differ from cattle. Copper is the most important difference. Sheep are highly sensitive to copper toxicity, and standard cattle mineral mixes often contain dangerous levels. Always use a mineral supplement formulated for sheep.

Calcium and phosphorus are critical for bone development and milk production. The calcium to phosphorus ratio should be between 1.5 to 1 and 2 to 1. Salt, selenium, and vitamin E are also important, especially in regions with deficient soils. Work with your veterinarian or extension agent to determine local mineral deficiencies and choose an appropriate supplement.

Water

Water is the most essential nutrient and the one most often overlooked. A ewe needs 1 to 2 gallons of water per day, more when lactating or in hot weather. In winter, sheep may reduce water intake if water is too cold or frozen, which reduces feed intake and can lead to impaction or pregnancy toxemia. Provide clean, accessible water at all times and check it daily in freezing weather.

The Production Cycle and Feed Demand

Sheep nutritional needs follow a predictable pattern across the year. Understanding this pattern lets you plan feed purchases and pasture use months in advance.

Maintenance Period

The maintenance period runs from weaning to breeding, typically late summer to early fall. Ewes are not pregnant or lactating, and their energy needs are at their lowest. A mature ewe needs about 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of TDN per day, depending on body weight. Good pasture or moderate quality hay meets these needs easily.

This is the time to manage body condition. Ewes should be at a body condition score of 3 to 3.5 (on a 1 to 5 scale) at breeding. Thin ewes need extra feed before breeding to improve ovulation rates. Overconditioned ewes are more prone to pregnancy toxemia and lambing difficulties.

Early to Mid Gestation

The first 100 days of pregnancy have relatively low energy demands. Fetal growth is minimal, and the ewe maintains her own body condition with modest feed. This is a good time to use lower quality forage or extend grazing. Ewes can often maintain condition on stockpiled pasture, crop residues, or moderate quality hay.

Flushing, or increasing energy intake 2 to 3 weeks before breeding and continuing into the first weeks of the breeding season, can increase ovulation rate and lambing percentage. This is most effective on thin ewes and less important on ewes in good condition.

Late Gestation

The last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy are the most critical feeding period. About 70 percent of fetal growth occurs in the last 6 weeks. Energy requirements increase by 40 percent for a single lamb and 50 to 60 percent for twins. Rumen capacity decreases as the uterus expands, so the ewe cannot eat enough low energy feed to meet her needs.

This is when you must increase feed quality and energy density. If you are feeding hay, switch to the highest quality hay you have. Introduce grain gradually, starting at 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per ewe per day and increasing to 0.75 to 1.0 pound for ewes carrying singles and 1.0 to 1.5 pounds for ewes carrying twins. The exact amount depends on hay quality and ewe condition.

Pregnancy toxemia, also called pregnancy disease or ketosis, occurs when energy intake is insufficient in late gestation. It is most common in ewes carrying twins or triplets, in overconditioned ewes, and during periods of stress or weather changes. Early signs include lethargy, separation from the flock, and teeth grinding. This is an emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment.

Lactation

Lactation is the highest energy demand period of the production cycle. A ewe nursing twins may need 2 to 3 times her maintenance energy requirement. Milk production peaks at 3 to 4 weeks after lambing and declines gradually after that.

Ewes on good pasture can often meet their needs during lactation, but ewes lambing in winter or early spring may need supplemental feed until grass growth begins. Continue feeding grain at 1 to 1.5 pounds per ewe per day through the first 4 to 6 weeks of lactation, then reduce gradually as pasture improves.

Weaning

Weaning is a stressful time for both ewes and lambs. Ewes that are still lactating when lambs are removed should have feed reduced for a few days to dry up. This means moving them to lower quality pasture or drylotting them with limited hay for 3 to 5 days. Watch for mastitis, especially in heavy milking ewes.

Sheep Forage Budgeting

Forage budgeting is the process of calculating how much feed you have and how much your flock needs over a specific period. This is the foundation of sheep feed planning. Without a forage budget, you are guessing, and guessing is expensive.

Step 1: Calculate Flock Demand

Start by calculating the total dry matter your flock needs per day. Use the following steps:

Determine the average body weight of your mature ewes. Weigh a representative sample of 10 to 20 ewes, or use a weight tape if scales are not available.
Multiply average body weight by the intake rate for your production stage. Use 2.5 percent for maintenance, 3 percent for early gestation, 3.5 percent for late gestation, and 4 percent for lactation.
Multiply by the number of ewes in the flock.
Add the needs of rams, replacement ewe lambs, and any other animals that will be on feed.

For example, a flock of 100 mature ewes averaging 150 pounds in mid gestation:

150 pounds x 3 percent = 4.5 pounds dry matter per ewe per day
4.5 pounds x 100 ewes = 450 pounds dry matter per day
450 pounds x 30 days = 13,500 pounds dry matter per month

Remember that dry matter is not the same as as fed weight. Hay at 90 percent dry matter weighs more as fed than its dry matter content. A bale of hay that weighs 50 pounds as fed and is 90 percent dry matter provides 45 pounds of dry matter.

Step 2: Determine the Feeding Period

How many days will you need to feed stored forage? This depends on your climate, pasture availability, and lambing schedule. In the northern United States, the winter feeding period can be 150 to 200 days. In milder climates, it may be only 60 to 90 days.

To estimate your feeding period, decide when pasture will no longer support the flock and when it will be ready again in spring. The feeding period is the time between these dates, plus a buffer of 2 to 4 weeks on each end for unexpected weather.

Step 3: Estimate Forage Supply

Inventory all your forage sources:

Standing pasture that will be grazed, including stockpiled forage
Hay in the barn, counted by bale or tonnage
Silage or baleage
Crop residues such as corn stalks or small grain stubble
Other feedstuffs such as beet pulp, soybean hulls, or grain

For baled hay, weigh several bales to get an accurate average weight. Do not rely on the weight stamped on the bale or the estimate from the seller. Bale weights vary widely with moisture content, baler settings, and forage species.

Convert everything to dry matter. Hay at 85 to 90 percent dry matter, silage at 30 to 40 percent dry matter, and pasture at 20 to 30 percent dry matter.

Step 4: Compare Supply to Demand

Total supply divided by total demand gives you the number of days of feed you have. If this number is less than your planned feeding period, you need to buy feed, reduce flock numbers, or find additional forage sources.

For example:

Total hay supply: 20 tons as fed at 88 percent dry matter = 35,200 pounds dry matter
Total flock demand: 450 pounds dry matter per day
Days of feed: 35,200 divided by 450 = 78 days

If the feeding period is 120 days, you have a 42 day deficit. You need to buy approximately 18,900 pounds of dry matter, or about 10.7 tons of hay at 88 percent dry matter.

Step 5: Build in a Buffer

No forage budget survives contact with reality. Weather delays pasture growth, hay quality is lower than expected, and ewes eat more in cold weather. Add 10 to 15 percent to your total forage needs as a safety margin. This is cheaper than buying emergency hay at premium prices in February.

Supplementing Sheep on Pasture

Pasture is the most economical feed for sheep, but it has limits. Growth is seasonal, quality varies through the growing season, and stocking rates must match forage production. Supplementing sheep on pasture means providing additional feed when pasture quantity or quality is insufficient.

When Pasture Quantity Is Insufficient

When pasture growth slows or the stocking rate is too high, sheep will graze pasture down to the ground, lose condition, and reduce production. Signs of insufficient pasture include:

Sheep constantly at the gate or fence line
Pasture grazed below 2 inches
Increased time spent grazing and decreased time resting
Declining body condition scores
Reduced milk production and lamb growth

Options for managing pasture shortages include:

Move sheep to a fresh pasture or sacrifice area
Provide hay in bale feeders or hay rings
Graze crop residues or other alternative forages
Reduce stocking rate by selling or moving animals
Use rotational grazing to improve pasture utilization

When Pasture Quality Is Insufficient

Even when pasture quantity is adequate, quality can be limiting. Mature, stemmy pasture in late summer has lower protein and energy than young, leafy growth. Sheep will eat the leaves and leave the stems, reducing intake and nutrient consumption.

Supplementing with grain or high quality hay can fill the gap between pasture quality and animal requirements. This is especially important for lambs that need high energy and protein for growth and for ewes in late gestation and lactation.

Types of Supplements

Grain is the most common supplement for sheep. Corn provides energy but is low in protein. Soybean meal or other protein sources can be added to balance the ration. Whole barley, oats, and other small grains are also used. Processed grains such as cracked corn or rolled oats are more digestible than whole grains, but whole grains can be fed to sheep if they are mature and healthy.

Byproduct feeds such as soybean hulls, beet pulp, corn gluten feed, and wheat middlings are often economical energy sources. They are higher in fiber than grain, which makes them safer to feed in larger amounts and less likely to cause digestive upset.

Protein supplements are needed when forage is low in protein. Options include soybean meal, canola meal, cottonseed meal, and commercial protein blocks. Urea can be used in some rations but requires careful management and should not be fed to sheep on high concentrate diets.

Mineral supplements should be available free choice at all times. Use a sheep specific mineral, not cattle mineral. In selenium deficient areas, ensure the mineral contains adequate selenium.

How to Introduce Supplements

Sheep need time to adapt to new feeds, especially grains. Introduce grain gradually over 7 to 10 days, starting with small amounts and increasing daily. Sudden introduction of large amounts of grain can cause acidosis, which is a dangerous condition that can be fatal.

Feed supplements at the same time each day. Sheep are creatures of habit and will learn the feeding schedule quickly. Spread grain in long troughs or on clean ground to reduce competition and ensure all sheep get their share. Provide at least 18 to 24 inches of trough space per ewe.

Cold Weather Feeding

Cold weather increases energy requirements because sheep must generate heat to maintain body temperature. The critical temperature for sheep is about 32 degrees Fahrenheit for dry, fleeced sheep. Below this temperature, energy requirements increase by about 1 percent for each degree Fahrenheit below the critical temperature. Wind, moisture, and a wet fleece increase this effect dramatically.

In cold weather, increase the energy density of the diet, provide extra hay for heat production during digestion, and ensure water is available and not frozen. A ewe that is well fed and has a dry, full fleece can tolerate cold much better than a thin, wet ewe.

Body Condition Scoring as a Planning Tool

Body condition scoring is a hands on method of assessing the fat and muscle cover of sheep. It is the single most useful tool for monitoring flock nutrition and making feeding decisions. A ewe in good condition at the right times will breed more successfully, produce more milk, and have healthier lambs.

The Scoring System

Body condition is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese. You assess condition by feeling the spine, the short ribs, and the loin area. Practice on sheep of known condition to calibrate your fingers.

Score 1: Spine is sharp and prominent. No fat cover. Muscle wasting is evident.
Score 2: Spine is prominent but has some cover. Individual vertebrae can be felt. Some fat cover over the ribs.
Score 3: Spine is smooth and rounded. Individual vertebrae can be felt with slight pressure. Firm fat cover over the ribs.
Score 4: Spine is difficult to feel. Fat cover is thick. Ribs are covered with a thick layer of fat.
Score 5: Spine cannot be felt. Fat deposits are visible. The ewe appears round and heavy.

When to Score

Score ewes at least three times per year:

At weaning, to identify ewes that need extra feed before breeding
At breeding, to confirm ewes are at target condition
At mid gestation (about 60 to 80 days), to adjust feeding before late gestation demands begin

You may also score at lambing and at other times when you suspect problems. A body condition score of 3 is the target for most production stages. Ewes should be at 3 to 3.5 at breeding, 3 at mid gestation, and 2.5 to 3 at lambing. Ewes that lamb at a score of 2 or below are at high risk for pregnancy toxemia, poor milk production, and weak lambs.

Adjusting Feeding Based on Condition

If ewes are below target condition, increase feed quantity and quality. If ewes are above target, reduce feed but do not let them lose weight rapidly. Rapid weight loss in pregnant ewes can trigger pregnancy toxemia.

The goal is to make gradual changes. A change of one body condition score represents about 10 to 15 percent of body weight, or roughly 15 to 20 pounds for a 150 pound ewe. This takes several weeks to achieve.

Common Mistakes in Sheep Feed Planning

Even experienced sheep farmers make mistakes in feed planning. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Guessing Hay Weight

Many producers estimate bale weights by eye or use the seller's estimate. Bales vary widely in density and moisture. A small round bale might weigh 400 pounds or 700 pounds. Guessing wrong means your forage budget is wrong, and you may run out of feed mid winter.

Weigh several bales on a livestock scale or truck scale. If you cannot weigh bales, measure the dimensions and use published tables for bale weight estimates. At minimum, be conservative and assume lower weights rather than higher.

Mistake 2: Not Testing Forage

Hay varies in nutrient content based on species, maturity at harvest, fertilization, and curing conditions. Two fields of the same grass cut on different days can differ by 5 percentage points in protein and 10 percentage points in energy. Without a forage test, you cannot balance a ration or know how much grain to feed.

Forage testing is inexpensive, typically 15 to 30 dollars per sample. Collect samples with a hay probe, not by grabbing a handful from the bale. Send samples to a certified laboratory and request standard analysis including dry matter, crude protein, TDN or energy, and key minerals.

Mistake 3: Feeding All Hay At the Same Quality

If you feed your best hay first and your worst hay last, you will have poor quality hay in late winter when ewes need the most nutrition. Instead, sort hay by quality and feed the poorest quality hay early in the feeding period when ewes are in maintenance or early gestation. Save the best hay for late gestation and lactation.

Mistake 4: Underfeeding Thin Ewes in Early Pregnancy

It is tempting to save feed costs in early pregnancy, but thin ewes that do not gain condition before late gestation are at high risk. The cost of extra feed in early pregnancy is much lower than the cost of pregnancy toxemia, weak lambs, or ewe deaths in late pregnancy.

Mistake 5: Overfeeding Grain

Grain is expensive and dangerous in excess. Overfeeding grain causes acidosis, which can lead to founder, laminitis, and death. It also makes ewes fat, which increases lambing difficulty and pregnancy toxemia risk. Feed the minimum grain needed to meet energy requirements, and increase amounts gradually.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Weather

A sudden cold snap can increase energy requirements by 20 to 30 percent. A storm that keeps sheep in the barn for several days increases feed consumption and reduces pasture intake. Build weather into your feed plan by keeping extra feed on hand and being ready to increase rations when temperatures drop.

Mistake 7: Forgetting the Ram

Rams are often overlooked in feed planning. A ram in good condition can breed successfully, but a thin ram or an obese ram will have reduced fertility. Rams need a body condition score of 3 to 3.5 at breeding. Feed rams separately from ewes during the breeding season and provide extra feed before and after breeding.

Mistake 8: Not Adjusting for Lambing Percentage

A ewe carrying twins needs significantly more energy in late gestation than a ewe carrying a single. If you do not know your expected lambing percentage, you cannot plan feed accurately. Use ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis at 60 to 90 days of gestation to identify ewes carrying multiples, then group and feed them separately.

Pregnancy Diagnosis and Group Feeding

Grouping ewes by pregnancy status allows you to feed each group according to its needs. Ewes carrying twins need more energy and more careful management than ewes carrying singles. Dry ewes, if you have any, need the least feed.

Ultrasound Pregnancy Diagnosis

Transabdominal ultrasound can detect pregnancy and count fetuses as early as 30 to 40 days after breeding. The best time for counting fetuses is 60 to 90 days. A skilled technician can identify ewes carrying singles, twins, and sometimes triplets with high accuracy.

The cost of ultrasound is typically 2 to 5 dollars per ewe, which is far less than the cost of overfeeding or underfeeding the wrong ewes. The information allows you to group ewes and feed them precisely.

Grouping Strategies

If you have the facilities, divide ewes into three groups:

Ewes carrying singles
Ewes carrying twins or multiples
Thin ewes and ewe lambs, regardless of pregnancy status

Ewes carrying multiples go on the higher energy ration first, about 6 weeks before lambing. Ewes carrying singles stay on a moderate ration. Thin ewes receive extra feed to reach target condition.

Grouping requires additional pens and feeding space, but the return in reduced feed costs and improved lamb survival usually justifies the investment.

Sheep Winter Feed Requirements

Winter feeding is the biggest challenge in most sheep operations. The combination of increased energy needs, limited pasture, and stored forage of varying quality makes this the period when feed planning matters most.

Estimating Winter Feed Needs

To estimate winter feed needs, follow these steps:

Determine the number of ewes, their average weight, and their stage of production during the winter.
Calculate daily dry matter needs for each group.
Multiply by the number of days in the winter feeding period.
Add a 10 to 15 percent buffer.
Convert dry matter to as fed weights of hay or silage.

For example, 100 ewes averaging 150 pounds, in mid gestation, fed for 120 days:

Daily dry matter per ewe: 150 x 0.03 = 4.5 pounds
Total daily dry matter: 4.5 x 100 = 450 pounds
Total dry matter for 120 days: 450 x 120 = 54,000 pounds
Add 15 percent buffer: 54,000 x 1.15 = 62,100 pounds
Convert to hay at 88 percent dry matter: 62,100 divided by 0.88 = 70,568 pounds as fed

This is about 35 tons of hay. If your hay bales average 50 pounds, you need about 1,411 bales.

Hay Quality and Winter Feeding

The quality of your hay determines how much grain you need to feed. High quality hay, cut early and cured well, can meet most of a ewe's energy needs even in late gestation. Poor quality hay, cut late and rained on, may require significant grain supplementation to prevent weight loss.

Use your forage test results to plan grain feeding. A general guideline is:

Hay with TDN above 58 percent and crude protein above 10 percent: minimal grain needed until late gestation
Hay with TDN of 52 to 58 percent and crude protein of 8 to 10 percent: grain needed in late gestation and lactation
Hay with TDN below 52 percent and crude protein below 8 percent: significant grain needed, or feed a different forage

Feeding Systems for Winter

The three main winter feeding systems are:

Bale feeding in the field or drylot. This is the most common system. Place bales in feeders or rings to reduce waste. Move feeders regularly to distribute manure and reduce mud. Waste can range from 5 percent with good feeders to 30 percent or more with no feeders.

Bale grazing. Place bales in the field and allow sheep to graze them in place, moving an electric fence to ration access. This spreads manure and reduces labor but requires planning and good fence management.

Total mixed ration (TMR). Mix hay, grain, and supplements in a mixer wagon and feed a complete ration. This is more common on large operations and allows precise control of the ration but requires significant equipment investment.

Reducing Winter Feed Waste

Feed waste is a hidden cost in every sheep operation. Common sources of waste include:

Hay trampled into mud or manure
Grain spilled from troughs
Feed rejected because it is spoiled or unpalatable
Overfeeding that leaves leftovers

Use feeders designed for sheep, such as hay racks with narrow openings or bale rings with small gaps. Place feeders on well drained areas or portable pads. Feed grain in troughs with lips to reduce spillage. Clean up spoiled feed promptly.

Monitoring and Recordkeeping

Feed planning is not complete when you write the plan. You must monitor the flock, adjust the plan as conditions change, and keep records that inform next year's decisions.

What to Monitor

Body condition scores. Score a sample of ewes every 2 to 4 weeks during the feeding period. Track changes over time and adjust feed accordingly.
Feed intake. Note how much hay and grain you are feeding and whether sheep are cleaning up their feed. A sudden decrease in intake is a warning sign of illness or feed quality problems.
Hay quality. If you open a new lot of hay, inspect it for mold, dust, and odor. If you suspect poor quality, test it before feeding.
Weather. Track temperature, wind, and precipitation. Adjust rations during cold snaps and storms.
Lambing percentage and lamb survival. These are the ultimate measures of your feeding program. A low lambing percentage or high lamb mortality may indicate underfeeding in late gestation.
Ewe health. Watch for signs of pregnancy toxemia, acidosis, and other metabolic problems. Early detection saves lives.

What to Record

Keep a simple notebook or spreadsheet with the following information:

Flock inventory: number of ewes, rams, lambs, and replacements by group
Body condition scores by ewe group at each scoring date
Feed inventory: hay bales by type and estimated weight, grain and supplement on hand
Forage test results for each lot of hay
Daily or weekly feed amounts by group
Weather events that affected feeding
Lambing dates, number of lambs born, and lamb survival
Feed purchases with dates and costs
Problems encountered and solutions tried

Using Records to Improve

At the end of each feeding season, review your records. Ask yourself:

Did I run out of feed or have too much left over?
Were ewes at target body condition at lambing?
What was the lambing percentage and lamb survival rate?
What was my actual feed cost per ewe?
What would I do differently next year?

This annual review is the most valuable part of recordkeeping. It turns experience into knowledge and helps you make better decisions next year.

Decision Thresholds and When to Act

Knowing when to act is as important as knowing what to do. Here are key decision thresholds for sheep feed planning.

Body Condition Score Below 2.5 at Mid Gestation

If ewes are below a body condition score of 2.5 at mid gestation, they need immediate extra feed. Increase hay quality, add grain, or both. Aim to have ewes at a score of 3 by the start of late gestation. If multiple ewes are thin, review your entire feeding program.

Ewes Losing Condition Rapidly

If ewes are losing more than 0.5 body condition score in a month, they are not getting enough nutrition. Increase feed quantity and quality immediately. Check for health problems such as dental issues, parasites, or chronic disease.

Feed Supply Below 75 Percent of Planned Needs

If your feed inventory drops below 75 percent of planned needs with more than 30 days of feeding remaining, you need to act now. Options include buying feed, reducing feeding days by early weaning or selling animals, or finding alternative feed sources. Waiting until you are out of feed is the most expensive option.

Sudden Drop in Feed Intake

A sudden drop in feed intake across the flock signals a problem with the feed itself, such as mold or spoilage, or a disease outbreak. Investigate immediately. Check the feed for quality issues and check sheep for signs of illness.

Signs of Pregnancy Toxemia

Pregnancy toxemia is an emergency. Clinical signs include:

Lethargy and separation from the flock
Teeth grinding
Staggering or inability to stand
Recumbency
Sweet or fruity breath odor

If you suspect pregnancy toxemia, contact your veterinarian immediately. Treatment may include oral propylene glycol, intravenous glucose, and in severe cases, early induction of lambing or cesarean section. Do not wait to see if the ewe improves on her own.

Multiple Ewes With Pregnancy Toxemia

If more than one or two ewes develop pregnancy toxemia, your feeding program is seriously deficient. Review your forage test results, feed amounts, and body condition scores. Work with your veterinarian or extension agent to correct the problem before more ewes are affected.

When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent

You should not hesitate to call for professional help. The cost of a veterinary visit or an extension consultation is small compared to the cost of losing ewes or lambs.

Call Your Veterinarian When

A ewe shows signs of pregnancy toxemia, acidosis, or other metabolic disease
Multiple ewes are off feed or showing signs of illness
Ewes are dying or aborting
You suspect a mineral deficiency or toxicity
You need help with pregnancy diagnosis or embryo transfer
You are unsure about a diagnosis or treatment

Call Your Extension Agent When

You need help calculating rations or forage budgets
You want to interpret forage test results
You are considering a new feeding system or forage species
You need help with pasture management or forage budgeting
You want to compare your operation to regional benchmarks
You are planning facility changes for feed storage or feeding

Extension agents have access to university research and can help you apply it to your operation. Most extension services offer free or low cost consultations, soil testing, and forage testing guidance.

Developing a Year Round Feed Plan

A complete sheep feed plan covers the entire year, not just winter. Here is a framework for a year round plan.

Spring

Turn sheep out on pasture when grass is 4 to 6 inches tall and soil is firm enough to prevent damage
Begin with short grazing periods and move sheep frequently
Monitor pasture growth and adjust stocking rates
Finish lambing and manage lactating ewes on the best pasture
Plan summer forage needs and consider planting annual forages for summer grazing

Summer

Manage pasture to maintain quality and quantity
Consider using warm season annuals or crop residues to extend grazing
Wean lambs and dry off ewes
Score body condition at weaning and identify thin ewes
Plan fall breeding and flushing program

Fall

Breed ewes and manage flushing
Stockpile pasture for late fall and early winter grazing
Harvest hay and record bale weights
Test hay and sort by quality
Calculate winter feed needs and compare to supply
Purchase any additional feed needed before prices rise

Winter

Feed according to the plan, adjusting for weather and body condition
Monitor feed intake and ewe condition
Provide adequate water and shelter
Prepare for lambing and late gestation feeding
Review records and begin planning for next year

Economics of Feed Planning

Feed is your largest variable cost, and small improvements in feed efficiency have a large impact on profitability. Here are the key economic principles of sheep feed planning.

Feed Cost Per Ewe

Calculate your feed cost per ewe per year by dividing total feed costs by the number of ewes in the flock. This number varies widely by region, feed prices, and production system. Knowing your number lets you compare to benchmarks and track changes over time.

The Cost of Underfeeding

Underfeeding is rarely cheaper than overfeeding. The costs of underfeeding include:

Reduced lambing percentage
Lower lamb birth weights and survival
Reduced milk production and lamb growth
Increased ewe mortality
Higher veterinary costs
Delayed rebreeding and extended lambing season

These costs almost always exceed the savings from feeding less.

The Cost of Overfeeding

Overfeeding has its own costs:

Higher feed purchases
Increased lambing difficulty from oversized lambs
Higher pregnancy toxemia risk in fat ewes
Reduced fertility in obese ewes
More foot problems and other health issues

The goal is to feed the right amount, not the maximum or minimum.

Making Economical Feed Choices

The cheapest feed is not always the most economical. A low quality hay that requires heavy grain supplementation may cost more per unit of energy than a higher quality hay that needs little grain. Compare feeds on a cost per pound of TDN or cost per megacalorie of energy basis.

Consider alternative feed sources in your area. Byproduct feeds, cull vegetables, bakery waste, and other materials may be available at low cost. Work with your extension agent and veterinarian to evaluate these options for safety and suitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much hay does a sheep need per day?

A mature ewe needs about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of hay dry matter per day, which is roughly 4 to 5 pounds as fed for hay at 88 to 90 percent dry matter. This assumes the ewe is at maintenance or early gestation. Ewes in late gestation or lactation may need more, and the hay quality affects how much they can eat and how much grain they need. A 150 pound ewe in mid gestation on average quality hay will consume about 4 to 5 pounds of hay per day.

How do I calculate how much feed I need for winter?

Calculate the number of ewes, their average weight, and their daily dry matter needs based on stage of production. Multiply daily needs by the number of days in the feeding period, then add a 10 to 15 percent buffer. Convert dry matter to as fed weight of your specific feed. For a flock of 100 ewes averaging 150 pounds fed for 120 days, you need roughly 62,000 pounds of dry matter, or about 35 tons of hay at 88 percent dry matter.

What is the best grain to feed sheep?

Corn is the most common energy grain for sheep, but it is low in protein. Barley, oats, and wheat are also used. Oats are higher in fiber and safer to feed in larger amounts. Whole grains can be fed to mature sheep, but processing improves digestibility. A complete ration often combines a grain with a protein source like soybean meal. The best grain depends on local availability, price, and the rest of the ration. Work with your extension agent to compare options.

How do I know if my hay is good enough for sheep?

The only reliable way to know hay quality is to test it. A forage test measures dry matter, crude protein, energy (TDN), and minerals. Good quality hay for sheep has at least 8 to 10 percent crude protein and 52 to 58 percent TDN. High quality hay cut early can have 12 to 14 percent protein and 58 to 62 percent TDN. Hay that is moldy, musty, or contains weeds or foreign material should not be fed to sheep.

When should I start feeding grain to pregnant ewes?

Start feeding grain to ewes in late gestation about 4 to 6 weeks before the first expected lambing date. Introduce grain gradually, starting at 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per ewe per day and increasing over 7 to 10 days. Ewes carrying twins may need 1 to 1.5 pounds per day by the end of gestation. Continue grain through the first 4 to 6 weeks of lactation, then reduce as pasture quality improves.

What is pregnancy toxemia and how do I prevent it?

Pregnancy toxemia is a metabolic disease caused by insufficient energy intake in late gestation. It occurs most often in ewes carrying twins or triplets, in overconditioned or underconditioned ewes, and during periods of stress or weather changes. Prevention is the key: maintain ewes at a body condition score of 3, provide adequate energy in late gestation, avoid stress, and ensure ewes can eat enough by feeding high quality forage and grain. If you suspect pregnancy toxemia, call your veterinarian immediately.

How often should I body condition score my ewes?

Score ewes at least three times per year: at weaning, at breeding, and at mid gestation. You may also score at lambing and any time you suspect feeding problems. Regular scoring lets you adjust feeding before problems develop. A ewe at a body condition score of 3 at mid gestation is much easier to manage than one at a score of 2 that needs to gain condition during late gestation.

Can I feed cattle hay to sheep?

Yes, sheep can eat hay made for cattle, but you must be careful. The hay itself is fine, but cattle mineral supplements and some cattle feeds contain copper levels that are toxic to sheep. Do not feed sheep cattle mineral mixes or feeds formulated for cattle. Also, some cattle hay may be too coarse or mature for sheep to eat efficiently. Test the hay and provide sheep specific mineral supplements.

Related Farming Guides

This section will be populated programmatically with links to related farming guides on sheep management, forage production, pasture management, and livestock nutrition topics.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

References

USDA Farm Management: https://www.farmers.gov/
FAO Farm Management: https://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools/en/
FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/
WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.