Sheep Feed Formula Calculation 4 Methods And Steps

Sheep ration, which includes all the animal fodder consumed by sheep in a day, is typically calculated for a group rather than individually. In practice, this involves mixing various types of fodder for animals according to a predetermined proportion to meet the needs of a group of sheep. Properly balancing sheep rations requires specific methods and steps.

Incorporating a diverse range of feeds to meet selected nutritional needs can make the calculation process more complex, sometimes beyond manual calculation. Modern livestock production now often uses computer software to formulate these rations efficiently. For smaller-scale or farmer-level sheep farming, where feed types might vary more, the trial-and-error method of manual calculation can be used. Here are the steps involved in using the trial-and-difference method:

Step 1
Determine the average weight and daily weight gain level of the sheep in the flock. This serves as the basic reference for the diet formulation.

Step 2
Calculate the nutrient content per kilogram of ration. Divide the nutrient requirements of the sheep by the feed intake to get the nutrient concentration per kilogram, such as 15% crude protein, 8.2 MJ/kg energy, 0.4% phosphorus, and 0.8% calcium.

Step 3
Identify the types of growing fodder or other feeds to be used, and list their nutrient content and nutritional value. This will serve as the basis for the calculations.

Step 4
Focus on meeting the energy and protein needs in the diet, with minerals and additives typically comprising around 2%-3% of the total. Start by formulating a preliminary mixed feed based on these guidelines.

These steps help ensure that the sheep receive a balanced ration, enhancing growth, health, and productivity by properly combining growing fodder and other nutritional elements in their diet.