As for most herbivores, the main type of food for sheep is plant food. At the same time they consume a huge number of herbs and plants, including weeds and even thorns. The only thing that experts advise is not to graze sheep in the flood meadows, as well as in swampy and forest pastures. For animals suitable mountain or steppe more arid grassy pastures.
The basis of feed at home for both females and rams is hay and pasture grass. Sheep are very fond of small-scale and bean hay, as well as many types of straw. Oatmeal, millet and barley are better absorbed and give a good weight gain. Also as a top dressing it is good to add root crops: a pumpkin, a potato, a beet and carrots, zucchini and other melons.
Green food is the basis of the summer diet of sheep. Animals on grassy pastures can spend the whole day, dispensing without additional feeding. Fresh greens are similar in nutrition to quality concentrated fodder. But the content of protein and vitamins even surpasses them.
However, it is worth remembering that towards the end of summer the grass already loses half its useful substances and vitamins. Therefore, at this time, it is advised to additionally feed the animals with specially grown greens of cereals. For example, it can be oats, rye, winter wheat before earing. Perfectly suitable for corn, alfalfa, peas.
