The winter period can include all the major production phases, or only one to two phases, depending on when one lambs. The four major production phases of the ewe flock are: maintenance, breeding, late gestation and lactation. Each phase requires distinct nutrient and management inputs. Breeding usually lasts 30 to 45 days, late gestation is 30 to 45 days before lambing, lactation in farm flock operations is 60 to 90 days in length. The remainder (210 to 240 days) is considered the maintenance phase and includes the first 100 days of gestation. Of this time, all but about 60 to 90 days of the maintenance period is spent on pasture through most of the upper Midwest and other farm flock areas.

Feed costs are the largest single out-of-pocket expense for the sheep enterprise. They can range from 50 to 75% of variable costs. The drylot phase can be an expensive period in the sheep production year. Thus, that 60 to 90 days of the maintenance period is important from a nutritional and financial aspect.

The nutrient requirements for this phase (early gestation maintenance) for a 155 pound ewe are:

Dry matter intake - 3.0 lbs.

Crude protein - .29 lbs or 9.3%

Total digestible nutrients - 1.7 lbs or 55%

In comparison to other production phases, the maintenance phase requires the least feed inputs. Thus, this is the period that cost savings can occur. Considering the nutrient requirements for the maintenance phase, average quality forages or roughages can be used to satisfy the needs of the ewe. These forages can be in the form of hay, stockpiled grasses, overgrown hay fields, crop residues, waterways or alternative low cost feeds.

If possible, one should take advantage of the ewe's ability to scavenge or forage. The most practical means of achieving this is to extend the grazing season in the fall. There are many advantages to leaving ewes on stockpiled pastures or crop fields. The most obvious advantage is that money can be saved. A 45 to 60 day extension of grazing will save from four to eight dollars per ewe. This is a significant saving. Also, there is less labor, feeding, manure and wear on buildings and equipment. One of the other large advantages is healthier, fitter sheep. Healthy, fit sheep create less problems during late gestation and lambing.

When extending the grazing season for ewes, water, fencing and mineral supplementation can become a challenge. Fencing is rather easily solved by using electric fencing techniques. The grazing of stockpiled forages and crop aftermath requires supplementation of vitamins and minerals. A weatherproof mineral feeder containing a mineral supplement designed for sheep easily solves this dilemma. Probably the biggest obstacle is water delivery and keeping it thawed. However, the sheep's physiology is such that during cool weather (less than 45o F) sheep do not require large amounts of ingested water. When wintering the ewe flock it is important to match the feed resources to the correct production cycle. Ewes in early gestation can be fed lower quality hay than when their feti are undergoing rapid growth during late gestation. Early gestation is a good time to use large round bales to reduce labor. However, ewes offered all they can eat will eat all they can. Often, this is more than required. Alternate day access or daily time limits to large round bales will help control excess consumption by ewes and stretch hay supplies. Generally, ewes need three to four hours of access daily to large bales to consume enough. Although, this is dependent on forage quality and fiber content.

Four to six weeks before lambing, the ewe needs increased amounts and quality of feed. The requirements for late gestation for a 155 pound ewe depending on expected lambing rate are:

Dry Matter Intake
130-150% lambing rate - 4.0 lbs.
180-225% lambing rate - 4.2 lbs.

Crude Protein
130-150% LR - .42 lbs. or 10.7% (Dry basis)
180-225% LR - .47 lbs. or 11.3% (Dry basis)

TDN
130-150% LR - 2.3 lbs. or 59% (Dry basis)
180-225% LR - 2.8 lbs. or 65% (Dry basis)

Also, the calcium and phosphorous requirements for the ewe essentially double in late gestation versus early gestation (first 100 days).

Ewes should not be overfed during late gestation, as they will get fat at the expense of your bank account. Fat ewes are management problems, hard lambers, poor mothers, tire easily during birthing and prolapse easier than fit ewes. Yet, late gestation is not a production phase to cut corners too sharp, as nutrient requirements are significant. Malnutrition can result in ketosis, weak lambs, more death loss at lambing, reduced milk production and other major management problems. Splitting the ewe flock into two to three groups by expected lambing date and feeding them the correct amount can save feed and decrease ewes being over or underconditioned.

Lactation, especially the first 30 to 60 days, requires the most quantity and quality of feed than at any time during the ewe production cycle. The requirements vary depending on how many lambs she is nursing. The guidelines from the National Research Council for a 155 pound ewe are:

Dry Matter Intake
Single - 5.5 lbs.
Twin - 6.2 lbs.

Crude Protein
Single - .73 lbs. or 13.4% (Dry basis)
Twin - .92 lbs. or 15.0% (Dry basis)

TDN
Single - 3.6 lbs. or 65% (Dry basis)
Twin - 4.0 lbs. or 65% (Dry basis)

Also, calcium, phosphorous and water are extremely critical nutrients for ewes that are milking. Free choice sheep mineral and unlimited access to a clean water source are required for a ewe to make milk.

Winter lambing ewes will need to be fed harvested, high to medium quality forages for adequate milk production. Spring lambing ewes can receive much or all of their nutrient needs from a high quality grass/legume pasture. Certainly, pasture quality, age of the ewe and number of lambs suckled may require that spring lambing ewes receive a grain or concentrate supplement while on pasture.

Thumb Rules for Feeding Ewes

1) Monitor ewe body condition and weight to evaluate feeding program.

2) Match feed resources to production phase of ewe.

3) Test your forages to use them properly.

4) Ignore noisy ewes - see #1 and #2.

5) Ewes will consume 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of a mineral mix daily.

6) Mineral mixes for sheep should be free of copper.

7) Limit access to large round bales of hay, unless they are poor quality.

8) Ewes require 1/4 to 1/2 ton of hay each to overwinter.

9) Weather, exercise and fleece length influence energy needs of the ewe.

10) Ewes should consume 2% of their bodyweight daily in feed for the maintenance period, 3% during breeding and late gestation, and 4% during lactation.