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Mutton Sheep Farm

Nutritional Requirements of Sheep raised for meat, during their various lifestages along with tips on their welfare and housing requirements in climatic conditions of UAE, KSA, Oman and Qatar.

Precision Awassi Sheep Farming in the Gulf

 

Success with Awassi sheep in the desert requires balancing their natural hardiness with modern nutritional science.

While they are heat-tolerant, high production generates significant metabolic heat.

Our protocols focus on maximizing growth rates (ADG) while managing thermal load.

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Gulf-Specific Adaptations:

  • Fat-Tail Management: Rations are designed to push muscle growth early; excess energy in late stages often goes just to the tail, which is inefficient.

  • Wool & Heat: Shearing schedules are critical. A 2cm wool cover is ideal—bare skin suffers sunburn, while full fleece causes heat stroke.

  • Salinity Tolerance: Awassi are tolerant of saline water, but high salt intake increases urine output. We increase bedding changes to prevent ammonia buildup.

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Read the Disclaimer before blindly following these without a paid consultation.

Nursing Lambs (Birth - 3 Months)

 

Awassi lambs are born vigorous.

The goal is to transition them from milk to solid feed (rumen development) rapidly to prepare for early weaning.

Housing & Environment

  • Space: 0.4 - 0.5 m² per lamb (Creep area).

  • Temperature: Keep < 30°C using shade/fans. Heat stress causes "panting" which burns energy meant for growth.

  • Bedding: Clean dry sand or sawdust. Ammonia causes pneumonia rapidly in lambs.

Nutritional Requirements

Crude Protein: 18 - 20% High protein essential for lean tissue (muscle).

Energy (ME): 11.5 - 12.5 MJ/kg High density needed as DMI is limited by heat.

DMI (% BW): 3.0 - 4.0% Intake is high relative to body size.

Selenium: 0.3 mg/kg Critical to prevent "White Muscle Disease".

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Sample 'Creep Feed' ration:

Ingredient
Amount (kg)
Cost (AED)
Nutritional Role
Cracked Maize
0.45
0.59
Starch for rumen papillae growth.
Soybean Meal
0.2
0.44
High quality bypass protein.
Wheat Bran
0.15
0.13
Palatability & Phosphorus.
Molasses
0.05
0.05
Sweetener to start intake.
Alfalfa Hay
0.1
0.17
Fiber source.
Vits/Mins
0.02
0.1
Vitamin E & Selenium boost.
Total Daily Cost
0.97 kg
1.48 AED
Plus Ewe's Milk Cost.

Weaned Growers (3 - 6 Months)

 

This is the main "Frame Growth" phase. If you feed too much energy here, the lamb gets short and fat. You want a tall, long lamb before fattening.

Housing

  • Space: 0.8 - 1.0 m² per head.

  • Water: 4-6 Liters/head/day.

  • Groups: Sort by size to prevent bullying.

Nutritional Requirements

Crude Protein: 14 - 16% Dropping slightly as rumen matures.

Energy (ME): 10 - 11 MJ/kg Moderate energy to encourage skeletal growth.

Calcium:Phos ratio = 2:1 CRITICAL!! Improper ratio causes Urinary Calculi (Water Belly) in rams.

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Sample "Grower" ration: ( ADG 200 - 250g per day )

Ingredient
Amount (kg)
Cost (AED)
Nutritional Role
Barley (Whole/Rolled)
0.6
0.66
Traditional energy source; safer than corn.
Rhodes Grass
0.6
0.6
Bulk fiber (cheaper than Alfalfa).
Alfalfa Hay
0.4
0.66
Protein source.
Soybean Meal
0.15
0.33
Protein supplement.
Salt/Ammonium Chl.
0.02
0.05
Ammonium Chloride prevents urinary stones.
Total Daily Cost
1.77 kg
2.30 AED
Cost efficient growth.

Fattening Rams (6 - 9 Months)

 

The "Finishing" phase.

We increase energy to put on muscle mass and cover fat.

For Awassi, we must be careful not to make the tail too large (wasteful fat).

Housing

  • Space: 1.5 - 2.0 m² per head.

  • Shade: 100% Shade coverage is mandatory.

  • Ventilation: Open-sided barns to utilize breezes.

Nutritional Requirements

NutrientRequirementNotes

Crude Protein: 12 - 14%. Excess protein is wasted energy.

Energy (ME): > 12 MJ/kg. High energy for finishing.

Dry Matter: ~4% of BW. High intake capacity.

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Sample Finishing Ration: Target ADG: 250g - 300g per day.

Feed at night to reduce heat load.

Ingredient
Amount (kg)
Cost (AED)
Nutritional Role
Barley
1.2
1.32
High energy base.
Maize (Corn)
0.5
0.65
"Hot" energy for fat cover.
Wheat Bran
0.5
0.43
Fiber buffer.
Wheat Straw
0.3
0.21
Scratch factor (prevents acidosis).
Soybean Meal
0.15
0.33
Balance protein.
Limestone
0.03
0.03
Calcium balance (grains are low Ca).
Total Daily Cost
2.68 kg
2.97 AED
High return on investment.

Breeding Ewes (Maintenance & Gestation)

 

The engine of the farm.

Over-feeding ewes is the #1 waste of money on sheep farms.

They are hardy scavengers.

Housing

  • Space: 2.0 - 2.5 m² per ewe.

  • Management: Separate pregnant ewes in last 4 weeks.

Nutritional Requirements

Crude Protein: 9 - 10%. Maintenance level.

Energy (ME): 8 - 9 MJ/kg. Low energy density sufficient.

Flushing:Increase energy 2 weeks before breeding to boost twinning rates.

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Sample Maintenance Ration:

Low cost, high fill.

Ingredient
Amount (kg)
Cost (AED)
Nutritional Role
Rhodes/Bermuda
1
1
Base forage.
Wheat Straw
0.8
0.56
Cheap filler.
Wheat Bran
0.3
0.26
Phosphorus & energy.
Barley
0.15
0.17
Small energy supplement.
Mineral Block
Ad lib
0.1
Essential trace minerals.
Total Daily Cost
2.25 kg
2.09 AED
Economic maintenance.

Breeding Rams

 

Awassi rams are large and active.

They need good legs and libido.

Nutritional Requirements

  • Zinc: Essential for sperm motility.

  • Vitamin E: Protects sperm during heat stress.

  • Avoid Obesity: Fat rams are lazy and have lower fertility.

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Sample Ram Ration:

Ingredient
Amount (kg)
Cost (AED)
Alfalfa Hay
1
1.65
Rhodes Grass
1
1
Ram Concentrate
0.5
0.6
Total Cost / Day
3.25 AED

Health Protocol

  1. Clostridial Vaccine (8-way): Essential against "Over-eating disease" (Pulpy Kidney) when feeding high grain.

  2. Shearing: Shear in March/April (before peak heat) and September (optional). Never shear to bare skin in July (sunburn risk).

  3. Hoof Care: Sand bedding wears hooves naturally, but check for "Scald" if humidity is high.

Life Stage
Daily Feed Cost
Target Outcome
Lamb (Creep)
~1.50 AED
Rapid rumen development.
Grower
~2.30 AED
200g+ daily gain (structure).
Finisher
~3.00 AED
45-50kg Slaughter Weight.
Ewe (Maint)
~2.10 AED
Health & annual lambing.
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