This document provides information on basic nutrition for goats and sheep. It discusses the importance of nutrition for health and production. As ruminants, goats and sheep have a compartmentalized stomach and digest high-fiber forage diets well through rumination. The document outlines essential nutrients including water, energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. It notes that nutrient requirements vary based on species, size, physiological state, production level, health, housing, and climate. Proper nutrition is key to the health and productivity of goats and sheep.

1. Basic nutrition for
production goats
and sheep
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland
sschoen@umd.eu

2. Importance
of Nutrition
⊙ Feed accounts for majority of
production costs, ~70%.
⊙ Nutrition is the foundation of
good health.
○ Animals on a high plane of
nutrition are more resistant to
disease, including internal
parasites.
○ Nutritional problems are probably
secondary in frequency to
respiratory diseases.
⊙ Nutrition has a large effect on
reproduction, lactation, and
growth.
2

3. Goats and
sheep are
ruminants.
⊙ Compartmental stomach
⊙ Cud chewing
⊙ Rumen = fermentation vat
3
⊙ While ruminants can
adapt to different diets,
their digestive system is
best adapted to forage
(high fiber) diets.

4. Diet
comparison
Concentrates (starch)
⊙ Greater numbers and
proportion of microbes
that digest sugar and
starch.
⊙ Lower pH
(more acidic)
⊙ Produce more propionic
and butyric (VFA) acid
⊙ Quicker passage of feed
through digestive tract.
Forage (fiber)
⊙ Greater numbers and
proportion of
microbes that digest
cellulose (fiber).
⊙ Higher pH (normal)
⊙ Produce mainly acetic
(VFA) acid
⊙ More methane
produced
⊙ Lower rate of
passage.Changes to the diet
need to be made very
slowly, especially
when introducing
or increasing the
amount of concentrate
(starch) in the diet.

5. Essential
nutrients
for goats
and sheep
⊙ Water
⊙ Energy
⊙ Protein
⊙ Minerals
⊙ Vitamins
⊙ Fiber
(roughage)
5

6. Water
H20
⊙ Cheapest
nutrient
⊙ Most essential
nutrient
⊙ Deficiency
depresses
performance
more than any
other dietary
deficiency.
⊙ Quantity and
quality both
important.
6

7. Factors
affecting
voluntary
intake of
water
7
⊙ Physiological stage of
animal; pregnant and
especially lactating females
have highest requirement.
⊙ Climate: intake increases
substantially when temps
are above 70F.
⊙ Temperature of water
⊙ Anti-quality factors
⊙ Other sources of water:
feed, dew, snow.
⊙ Feed intake  H20 intake

8. Energy
TDN
total digestible nutrients
Other measures
ME – DE - NE
⊙ Nutrient required in
greatest quantity.
⊙ Usually most limiting
nutrient.
⊙ Comes primarily from
carbohydrates (sugars,
starch, and fiber); with
some contribution
from protein and fats (lipids).
⊙ Product of rumen
fermentation is volatile fatty
acids (VFAs), which is primary
energy source for ruminants.
⊙ Excess energy is stored as fat.
8

9. Sources of
energy
High
>70% TDN
⊙ Cereal grains
Wheat
Sorghum
Corn
Barley
Buckwheat
Rye
Oats
⊙ Oilseed meals
⊙ Molasses
⊙ Numerous
by-products
⊙ Lick tubs (energy)
Moderate
50-70% TDN
⊙ Good quality
forage
Fresh pasture
Range
Browse
Hay
Silage
Haylage
Baleage
Green chop
Corn stalks
Hydroponic
fodder
Low
<50% TDN
⊙ Poor quality
forages
Mature
Stemmy
Poorly stored
Poorly ensiled
⊙ Straw
⊙ Corn cobs
⊙ Some by-products
Most hulls
9

10. Protein
CP
Crude protein
Other measures
MP – DP - UIP
⊙ Consumed in lesser
quantity than
energy.
⊙ More expensive
feed ingredient.
⊙ Amount more
important than
quality.
⊙ Excess protein is
excreted in urine as
urea.
10

11. By-Pass
Protein
⊙ Protein that “escapes” rumen
fermentation (digestion) is
called by-pass or “escape”
protein.
⊙ Every feedstuff has different
proportions of microbial and
by-pass protein.
⊙ A mix of microbial and by-pass
protein is generally desirable in
ruminant diets.
⊙ Supplementing with by-pass
protein may improve
productivity or increase
resistance to internal parasites.
11

12. Sources of
protein
High
>20% CP
⊙ Oilseed meals
Soybean
Canola
Sunflower
Peanut
Cottonseed
⊙ Whole soybeans
⊙ Urea (NPN)
⊙ Fish meal
⊙ Lick tubs
(high protein)
Moderate
15-25% CP
⊙ Pasture
(vegetative)
⊙ Browse
⊙ Legume
Alfalfa
Clover
Lespedeza
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Soybean
⊙ Alfalfa pellets
⊙ By-products
Distillers grain
Corn gluten feed
Wheat middlings
Low
<15% CP
⊙ Grain
Grain silage
⊙ Grass hay
Grass silage
Grass balage
⊙ Molasses
⊙ By-product
Soy hulls
Oat hulls
⊙ Low quality forages
Mature
Old
Stemmy
12
Good sources of
by-pass protein
Fish meal***
Corn gluten feed**
Distillers’ grains
Soybean meal

13. Minerals
16 required
Macro (g)
1. Salt (NaCl)
sodium + chloride
3. Calcium (Ca)
4. Phosphorus (P)
5. Sulfur (S)
6. Magnesium (Mg)
7. Potassium (K)
Micro or trace (PPM)
8. Cobalt (Co)
9. Copper (Cu)
10. Fluoride (F)
11. Iodine (I)
12. Iron (Fe)
13. Manganese (Mg)
14. Molybdenum (Mo)
15. Selenium (Se)
16. Zinc (Zn)

14. Mineral
interactions
Source: Agriking.com
Copper
Molybdenum
Sulfur
Iron (?)

15. Mineral
sources
⊙ Fresh forages
Especially legumes
⊙ Dry forages
Especially legumes
⊙ Concentrates
Grains and oilseeds
* high P - low Ca
⊙ By-product feeds
* Mineral content varies
⊙ Trace mineral salt
⊙ Complete mineral mixes
⊙ Mineral supplements
e.g. limestone
⊙ Water
15

16. Vitamins
two types
Water soluble
⊙ B complex
○ Thiamine (B1)
○ Riboflavin (B2)
○ Niacin (B3)
○ Pantothenic acid (B5)
○ Pyridoxine (B6)
○ Cyanocobalamin (B12)
⊙ Vitamin C
Fat soluble (IU)
⊙ Vitamin A
⊙ Vitamin D
⊙ Vitamin E
⊙ Vitamin K

17. Vitamin
sources
⊙ B vitamins are
synthesized in
rumen.
⊙ Vitamins C and K
are synthesized in
body.
⊙ Vitamins A and E
are made from
compounds in
green forage.
⊙ Vitamin D is
“made” from
sunshine.
⊙ Is common to add
vitamins A-D-E to
feed mixtures.

18. Choosing a
mineral-vitamin
supplement
⊙ Mineral supplementation can
be expensive.
⊙ Rations are usually balanced
for calcium and phosphorus.
⊙ Livestock have a general
need and craving for salt.
⊙ Should only supplement
minerals and/or vitamins that
may be deficient in diet.
⊙ Need to know how much
animals are consuming
when balancing rations or
comparing mineral products.
18
For small ruminants,
loose minerals are
preferred to blocks.

19. Common
micronutrient
problems
⊙ Urinary calculi
Imbalance of Ca and P
(should be 2:1)
⊙ White muscle disease
Se and/or Vit E deficiency
⊙ Polioencephalomalacia
Thiamine (B2) deficiency
⊙ Copper toxicity
Copper deficiency
⊙ Milk fever
low blood Ca
19
Lamb with polio

20. Fiber
CF, NDF, ADF
Effective fiber
⊙ Most animal nutritionists agree
that ruminants should always
have roughage in their diets.
⊙ A minimal amount of roughage
is required to keep the rumen
working effectively and to
prevent acidosis and other
common metabolic problems.
⊙ Lactating females need a
minimal amount of roughage to
produce sufficient milk for their
offspring.
Fiber  Acetate  milk fat
⊙ The effectiveness of fiber for
supporting rumen health is
positively related to particle size.
20
Roughage > 18% CF

21. Nutrient
requirements
of goats
and sheep
Vary by
⊙ Species
⊙ Genetics
⊙ Size
⊙ Age
⊙ Sex
⊙ Physiological
stage
⊙ Level of
production
Also, by
⊙ Disease
⊙ Activity
⊙ Housing
⊙ Weather
21

22. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
species and
genetics.
Energy
lb. TDN/d
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
1.90
Mature ewe Meat doe Dairy doe Angora doe
132 lb. female, maintenance
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.5 lbs TDN
~ 3 lbs. hay
~ 2 lbs. grain
*
**

23. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
species and
genetics.
Energy
lb. TDN/d
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
1.90
2.10
2.30
Angora Boer Local Dairy Lamb
66 lb. kid or lamb (intact male)
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.09
+
fiber
0.33
0.33
0.33
0.66

24. Nutrient
requirements
vary by size
(weight).
Energy
(maintenance)
lb. TDN/d
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
88-lb 132-lb 110-lb 154-lb 198-lb
Ewe Doe
*
*

25. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
physiological
stage
Energy
lb. TDN/d
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
?
*

26. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
physiological
stage
Protein
lb. CP/d
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
?
*

27. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
physiological
stage
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
132-lb non-dairy doe (twins)
Calcium
Phosphorus *

28. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
physiological
stage
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
Calcium
Phosphorus *

29. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
level of
production
Energy
lb. TDN/d
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.50
1.70
1.90
2.10
2.30
2.50
2.70
2.90
3.10
3.30
Single Twins Triplets
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
*
*

30. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
level of
performance.
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
No gain 0.11 0.22 0.33 0.44 0.55
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/d
44-lb. intact Boer buckling
lb/d
Pasture rearing
4% DM intake
65% TDN
1.14 lb. TDN/d
ADG=0.275 lb/d
(without worms)

31. Nutrient
requirements
vary by
level of
performance.
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
lb/d
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
0.44 0.55 0.66 0.88
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/d
66-lb. ram lamb, 4 mos. early maturing
Pasture rearing
4% DM intake
65% TDN
1.72 lb. TDN/d
ADG=0.44 lb/d
(without worms)

32. What else
can affect
nutrient
requirements
of goats and
sheep?
⊙ Activity
Activity increases nutrient
requirements
⊙ Housing
Housed animals have lower
nutrient requirements
⊙ Climate
Extra nutrition is needed
below animal’s critical
temperature (many factors
affect critical temperature).
⊙ Disease
Parasitized animals have
higher nutrient requirements.
32
Below the critical
temperature, livestock
must expend more energy
in order to keep warm; you
must feed more.

33. Two ways
to feed
livestock
Balanced rations
○ Separate into
production groups
○ Weigh animals
○ Weigh feed
○ Test forages
○ Read feed tags
○ Feed least cost
○ Balance rations by
hand or using
computer.
○ Use performance
records and body
condition to
monitor.
Follow common
recommendations
○ University
○ “Text” books
○ Extension
○ What the animals
want
○ What your
neighbor does
○ What Dr. Google
recommends
○ What you read on
a Facbeook page

34. Tips for
feeding
goats and
sheep for
production
⊙ Unlimited clean water, of
appropriate temperature.
⊙ Feed a mostly forage
(pasture, browse, hay)
diet.
⊙ Feed balanced rations.
⊙ Always weigh feed.
⊙ Supplement nutrients
that the forage diet is
deficient in.
⊙ Use body condition
scoring to monitor
nutrition program. 34

35. Tools for
balancing
rations for
goats and
sheep
⊙ Ration balancing software for sheep and goats
https://www.sheepandgoat.com/rationsoftware
⊙ University of Maryland Ration Evaluator spreadsheets
https://www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets
⊙ Langston University Nutrient calculators
http://www.luresext.edu/?q=content/nutrient-
requirement-calculator-and-ration-balancer
⊙ Montana State University Sheep Ration Program
https://msusheepration.montana.edu/
⊙ Iowa State University BRaNDs software ($)
https://store.extension.iastate.edu

36. Thank you.
Comments?
Questions
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Specialist
University of Maryland
sschoen@umd.edu

37. Pregnancy
and Kidding
(and Lambing)
Nutrition SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland
sschoen@umd.eu

38. Life cycle
feeding of
does and
ewes
Late
lactation
Weaning
Maintenance
Breeding
Early
gestation
Late gestation
Early
lactation
Production cycle is
usually 12 months,
but could be less
with accelerated
birthing.
Slices of pie do
not correspond
to the number
of days.

39. Nutrition
throughout
pregnancy is
important.
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/

40. Importance
of placenta
⊙ Placenta is the organ than
transfers nutrients from the
dam to offspring
⊙ Selenium passes to offspring
via placenta.
⊙ 90% of placenta growth occurs
by day 90 of pregnancy.
⊙ Though nutritional
requirements aren’t much
higher than maintenance,
insufficient nutrition in early to
mid pregnancy can reduce
placental size and affect
neonatal vigor.
40

41. Importance
of late
pregnancy
⊙ Majority of fetal
growth occurs during
last third of
pregnancy.
⊙ Mammary tissue is
developing; udder
fills up during last 14
days of pregnancy.
⊙ Rumen capacity is
decreasing due to
growth of fetuses.
⊙ Female may be less
active.
41

42. Need for
extra
nutriton
⊙ To ensure adequate
intake of nutrients.
⊙ To support fetal
growth.
⊙ To support mammary
development
⊙ To prevent
pregnancy toxemia
and milk fever.
⊙ To ensure birth of
strong, healthy babies
of moderate size.
42
Especially for
ewes/does
carrying
multiple
fetuses.

43. Special
consideration
for ewe lambs
and doelings
bred to lamb/kid at
12-15 months of age
⊙ Should achieve at least
two-thirds of their
mature size before
being bred.
⊙ They are still growing.
⊙ Need extra nutrition to
support growth, as well
as reproductive
functions.
⊙ Should be kept
separate from mature
females until second
breeding.
43

44. Consequences
of under
nutrition in late
pregnancy
⊙ Reduced birth
weights
⊙ Reduced brown fat
reserves
⊙ Lower colostrum and
milk yield
⊙ Poorer maternal
bond
⊙ Fewer secondary
wool follicles in
lambs.
⊙ Pregnancy toxemia
risk 44

45. Consequences
of overfeeding
in late
pregnancy
⊙ Fat females are more prone
to pregnancy toxemia.
⊙ Fat females experience
more dystocia due to
increased abdominal fat,
especially hair sheep.
⊙ Fat females are more likely
to prolapse their vaginas.
⊙ Oversized fetuses have
increased birthing
difficulties (dystocia) and
mortality.
45

46. What is
pregnancy
toxemia?
Ketosis
Lambing paralysis
Twin lamb disease
⊙ Common health problem of
females in late pregnancy,
especially ewes.
⊙ Caused by an inadequate
intake of energy (TDN) in late
pregnancy.
⊙ Common in fat and thin
females and especially those
carrying multiple births.
⊙ Treat with oral, sub-Q, or IV
glucose. C-section in extreme
cases.
⊙ Prevent by providing
adequate energy in late
gestation diet. 46

47. What is
milk fever?
Hypocalcemia
⊙ Not a fever: low blood
calcium
⊙ Caused by inadequate
intake of calcium in late
pregnancy (meat) or
oversupply of calcium in
late pregnancy (dairy).
⊙ Treat with oral, sub-Q, or IV
calcium.
⊙ If you’re feeding a grass hay
in late pregnancy, you may
need to add calcium to the
grain ration – but don’t
overfeed calcium.
47
Pregnancy
toxemia and
milk fever look
very similar.

48. Energy
requirements
of ewes and
does
lb. TDN/day
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
?
*

49. Protein
requirements
of ewes
and does
lb. CP/day
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
?
*

50. Mineral
requirements
of does
gram/day
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
132-lb non-dairy doe (twins)
Calcium
Phosphorus *

51. Mineral
requirements
of ewes
grams/day
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
Calcium
Phosphorus *

52. Nutrient
requirements
of does
and ewes
Energy
lb. TDN/day
Source: Nutrient requirements
of small ruminants, 2007
1.50
1.70
1.90
2.10
2.30
2.50
2.70
2.90
3.10
3.30
Single Twins Triplets
132-lb doe 176-lb ewe
*
*

53. Balancing
rations for
pregnant and
lactating does
and ewes
https://www.sheepandgoat.com
/spreadsheets

54. Step 1
Create an
inventory of
feedstuffs
54

55. Step 2
Find (and
copy) nutrient
requirements of
animal you want
to balance a
ration for.
132-lb. Boer doe
Late gestation
(twins)
55

56. Step 3
Paste
requirements into
worksheet for the
same class of goat
132-lb. Boer doe
Late gestation
(twins)
56
132-lb. Boer doe
Late gestation
(twins)

57. Step 4
Under the AS FED
column, put the
amounts of each
feed you are
feeding or plan
to feed.
132-lb. Boer doe
Late gestation
(twins)
57

58. Step 5
Compare nutrients
supplied with
nutrients required.
Use trial and error
to create a ration
that meets
the requirements.
58

59. Tips for
feeding
goats and
sheep for
production
⊙ Unlimited clean water, of
appropriate temperature.
⊙ Feed a mostly forage
(pasture, browse, hay) diet;
minimize grain feeding.
⊙ Feed balanced rations.
⊙ Always weigh feed.
⊙ Supplement nutrients that
the forage diet is deficient in.
⊙ Use body condition scoring
to monitor nutrition
program.
59

60. Thank you.
Comments?
Questions
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Specialist
University of Maryland
sschoen@umd.edu