[Jacob-list] To creep feed or not

[Jeanette Larson]

Hi all,
We are here in droughted out southern Colorado, USA.
There has been no graze for about 3 years. We are
lucky to have some quality hay, but I did want to give
our weanling lambs some creep feed. We value the
hardiness of our Jacob sheep, but these are extreme
circumstances. If we had graze, I would not be so
worried, because the grass would provide the
nutrition.
We have a wonderful mill that will work with us on our
natural feeding program. However, it was a challenge
for their traditional nutritionist to balance out a
creep feed for our lambs. He kept asking "No
antibiotics, hormones or growth stimulants?" and
offering us some commercial feeds.
However, he did a great job and our weanlings came off
milk and went right to hay with no loss in condition.
They are each getting 1/2 lb. a day of the creep, plus
free choice hay. I do not know exactly what is in the
mix, I can look it up if anyone is interested.
In fact, I think we need to cut them back a bit. The
other night, the roof blew off the weanling barn and
we were carrying the "little" ones to the horse
trailer for shelter. I could hardly lift them. They
all got collars for the trip back and a discussion on
the fine art of leading.

Jeanette Larson,
Laffing Horse Farm
Fine woolen products and goat's milk soap
Jacob sheep, dairy goats and guardian Llamas
La Junta, Colo.
www.laffing-horse.com


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