Feeding suck lambs ,

[andybk]

In view of recent prices , whats best to feed suck lambs on for slaughter in creep feeders , in the past always fed a 50/50 compound pellet / barley or oats , would gains be better with 100% pellet , or stick to 50/50 mix ,
most of my best lambs will go out as normal to build a rumen , but all the ones off the crap (milking) ewes or ones with issues will need pushing on this year well . just wondered what consensus is from those that feed most years

 

[neilo]

In view of recent prices , whats best to feed suck lambs on for slaughter in creep feeders , in the past always fed a 50/50 compound pellet / barley or oats , would gains be better with 100% pellet , or stick to 50/50 mix ,
most of my best lambs will go out as normal to build a rumen , but all the ones off the crap (milking) ewes or ones with issues will need pushing on this year well . just wondered what consensus is from those that feed most years

I would suggest there is a reason why lamb creep is generally 18%CP, and why all the pedigree ‘push em like hell’ creeps are 18%CP. Trying to cheapen it by diluting the protein with straight cereals has always slowed them down, but I suspect you know that already.

 

[andybk]

I would suggest there is a reason why lamb creep is generally 18%CP, and why all the pedigree ‘push em like hell’ creeps are 18%CP. Trying to cheapen it by diluting the protein with straight cereals has always slowed them down, but I suspect you know that already.

thanks yea , i do generally "cheapen it " mainly because i recon the grass will make up the extra prot when cost / margin is important over when to sell ,this year time might be more important , not quite so experienced with indoor lambs (well not in last decade or two as we always did a home mix with what was available ) . just working out what they expect to eat and conversion rates , just ordered blown pellets from MVF and want to sort out what straight cereal to bother with this year . Going to get a bit of h&d barley done for later ewes / lambs

 

[yellowbelly]

thanks yea , i do generally "cheapen it " mainly because i recon the grass will make up the extra prot when cost / margin is important over when to sell ,this year time might be more important , not quite so experienced with indoor lambs (well not in last decade or two as we always did a home mix with what was available ) . just working out what they expect to eat and conversion rates , just ordered blown pellets from MVF and want to sort out what straight cereal to bother with this year . Going to get a bit of h&d barley done for later ewes / lambs

If you're buying pellets and have access to whole barley/oats, I'd have thought the most cost effective option would be to buy 30% protein pellets and mix with cereals to get an 18% protein ration.