Welcome to the technical standard for Dairy Sheep.
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While meat sheep are common in the Gulf, Dairy Sheep (such as the improved Awassi or Assaf) require a completely different nutritional approach.
They are metabolic athletes, often producing 2.5 to 4.0 liters of milk daily in extreme heat.
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Gulf-Specific Challenges & Solutions:
Heat Stress & Intake: Dairy ewes eat less when temperatures exceed 30°C. We must increase Nutrient Density (more energy per kg of feed) to maintain milk production.
Fat Tail Management: The Awassi breed stores energy in the tail. Over-feeding energy during the dry period leads to dystocia (lambing difficulty).
Urinary Calculi: The high mineral content in some local well water combined with grain diets can cause urinary stones in rams. Our rations balance Calcium:Phosphorus strictly at 2:1.
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Read the Disclaimer before blindly following these without a paid consultation.
The Nursing Lamb (0 - 6 Weeks)
The future of the flock. In dairy operations, lambs are often removed from the ewe early (24-48 hours) to maximize commercial milk yield, and raised on replacer.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 0.3 - 0.5 m² per lamb.
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Shade: 100% Solid Shade.
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Bedding: Deep dry sand or sawdust (Ammonia buildup causes pneumonia).
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Ventilation: Fans required if ambient temp > 32°C.
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Nutritional Targets
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Protein: 22-24% (Milk Replacer), 18-20% (Solid Starter).
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Energy: High (Fat-based in milk, Starch-based in starter).
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Sample Ration: "Lamb Starter" (Post-Colostrum)
Feed ad-libitum alongside Milk Replacer.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (grams) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Maize (Flaked) | 150g | 0.17 | Starch for rumen papillae growth. |
Soybean Meal | 100g | 0.22 | High quality growth protein. |
Wheat Bran | 50g | 0.04 | Palatability. |
Molasses | 20g | 0.02 | Sweetener to encourage intake. |
Alfalfa Hay | 50g | 0.08 | Scratch factor (fiber). |
Milk Replacer | 250g (powder) | 3.5 | Primary nutrition source. |
Total Daily Cost | ~0.6 kg DM | ~4.03 AED | High investment phase. |
Replacement Ewe Lambs (Weaning - Breeding)
The goal is to grow the frame (skeleton) without fattening the udder. Fat deposits in the udder during this phase will permanently reduce milk yields.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 1.0 - 1.5 m² per head.
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Group Size: 20-30 animals.
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Feed Trough: 30cm linear space per head.
Nutritional Targets
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CP: 14-15%.
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Energy: Moderate (10 MJ ME/kg).
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Fiber: High effective fiber to stretch the rumen.
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Sample Ration: Least Cost Grower
Target Weight Gain: 150-200g/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Rhodes/Bermuda | 0.8 | 0.8 | Cost-effective bulk fiber. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.4 | 0.66 | Calcium & Protein frame builder. |
Barley (Rolled) | 0.4 | 0.4 | Safe energy (lower acidosis risk). |
Wheat Bran | 0.3 | 0.26 | Phosphorus source. |
Soybean Meal | 0.15 | 0.33 | Protein corrector. |
Total Daily Cost | 2.05 kg Feed | 2.45 AED | Economical growth. |
Lactating Ewes
(Early Lactation: Days 0-100)
The "Profit Phase". The ewe is milking heavily and losing body weight. She cannot eat enough to meet energy demands, so the diet must be potent.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 2.0 - 2.5 m² per ewe.
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Cooling: Critical. Soakers/Misters used at feed bunk if humidity <70%.
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Water: 10-12 Liters/day consumption expected.
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 16-18% (High bypass protein needed).
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Energy: >11.5 MJ ME/kg.
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Ca: High demand for milk synthesis.
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Sample Ration: High Performance Dairy
Target Milk: 2.5 - 3.5 kg/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Alfalfa Hay | 1.2 | 1.98 | Premium forage for milk protein. |
Maize (Corn) | 0.8 | 0.88 | High starch energy for volume. |
Barley | 0.5 | 0.5 | Sustained energy. |
Soybean Meal | 0.4 | 0.88 | Bypass protein for milk peak. |
Beet Pulp/Bran | 0.3 | 0.4 | Digestible fiber (keeps rumen cool). |
Minerals (Dairy) | 0.05 | 0.15 | Calcium/Selenium/Vit E. |
Total Daily Cost | 3.25 kg Feed | 4.79 AED | Returns ~15-20 AED in milk. |
Lactating Ewes (Mid-Late Lactation)
Milk production drops naturally. We must reduce energy to prevent the ewe from becoming obese before the dry period, but maintain protein to keep lactation going.
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 13-14%.
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Energy: Reduced grain, increased forage.
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Sample Ration: Sustained Production
Target Milk: 1.0 - 1.5 kg/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Rhodes/Bermuda | 1 | 1 | Increased cheap forage. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.8 | 1.32 | Maintenance protein. |
Barley | 0.5 | 0.5 | Energy. |
Wheat Bran | 0.5 | 0.43 | Filler & Palatability. |
Soybean Meal | 0.1 | 0.22 | Reduced protein supplement. |
Total Daily Cost | 2.90 kg Feed | 3.47 AED | Balanced cost vs. output. |
Dry Ewes (Maintenance & Gestation)
The "Rest" phase. For Awassi sheep, Limit Feeding is essential. If they get too fat (BCS > 3.5), they will have difficult births and "Fat Tail" issues.
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Housing Requirements
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Type: Open paddock with shade.
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Space: 3.0 - 4.0 m² per head.
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 10-11%.
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Energy: Maintenance only.
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Fill: High bulk to keep them satisfied without calories.
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Sample Ration: Low Cost Maintenance
Goal: Maintain Body Condition Score (BCS) 3.0.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheat Straw | 1 | 0.7 | Cheap gut fill (zero fat). |
Rhodes/Bermuda | 1 | 1 | Maintenance forage. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.2 | 0.33 | Just enough for rumen nitrogen. |
Wheat Bran | 0.2 | 0.17 | Carrier for minerals. |
Salt Lick | Ad-Lib | 0.05 | Electrolytes. |
Total Daily Cost | 2.40 kg Feed | 2.25 AED | Lowest cost phase. |
Breeding Rams
A ram with foot issues or heat stress will not breed.
Zinc and Vitamin E are non-negotiable.
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Nutritional Targets
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Zinc: 50-60 mg/kg (Hoof health & Sperm motility).
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Urinary Health: Low Phosphorus to Magnesium ratio.
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Sample Ration: Ram Maintenance
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
Rhodes Grass | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.5 | 0.83 |
Barley | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Mineral Mix | 0.05 | 0.2 |
Total Daily Cost | 2.35 kg | 2.83 AED |
Summary
Dairy sheep in the UAE/KSA are prone to copper toxicity.
Ensure your mineral premix is Sheep Specific (low copper) and does not use standard Dairy Cow minerals, which often contain copper levels lethal to sheep.
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Since sheep specific mineral mixture is not widely available in the GCC market, farmer has to produce own mineral mixtures if possible
Stage | Feed Cost | Expected Revenue (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
Lamb (Milk Phase) | 4 | Future Investment |
Grower | 2.45 | Future Investment |
Lactating (Peak) | 4.8 | 15.00 - 22.00 (Milk Sales) |
Lactating (Late) | 3.5 | 6.00 - 9.00 (Milk Sales) |
Dry Ewe | 2.25 | Lamb Production |