Preventing Digestive Upset During Hay Transitions
Goats and sheep depend on rumen microorganisms to ferment fibrous forage. Different feeds favor different microbial populations, so sudden dietary changes can alter fermentation faster than the rumen can comfortably adapt. A gradual transition gives the microbial population and the animal time to adjust.
Understanding Copper Sensitivity Concerns in Goats and Sheep
Both goats and sheep need copper, but goats generally tolerate and require more, while sheep accumulate it more readily and are more vulnerable to toxicity.
Hay Selection for Pregnant Ewes
Early pregnancy often resembles maintenance feeding, while the final six to eight weeks are more demanding because fetal growth accelerates. Requirements rise further when a ewe carries twins or triplets. Nutrition should increase gradually rather than changing abruptly immediately before lambing.