Early weaning of stock is one management strategy often recommended during a drought, as it has the ability to simplify management, reduce feed costs and improve animal condition.
This leads us to start a conversation about an alternative strategy. One not just for tougher seasons, but a tool that may be employed in a “normal season”, as part of a best-management practice, that is, creep feeding lambs.
So, what exactly is creep feeding?
Creep feeding involves the provision of high-energy, high-protein feed supplements to lambs whilst they are still with their mothers. A commercial option, such as LambGro®, is an ideal creep feed. This 4mm pellet is tailor-made for young lambs, with 16% crude protein (CP) and 12 MJ/kg metabolisable energy (ME). It also contains a higher fibre, which is vital to encourage young rumens to develop correctly.
Milne sheep specialist, Wayne Manoni, points out that: “It is primarily the fibre component from the pellet that promotes papillae development & growth in a lamb’s rumen from a very young age. I have seen lambs start to nibble a 4mm pellet from as young as 10 days old. Promoting papillae proliferation at an early age greatly increases the available surface area of the rumen, facilitating much higher, and more efficient, nutrient absorption. Providing a kick-start to developing a fully functional rumen can set the animal up for life".
The improved feed conversion of healthier, well-developed lambs means heavier weights are achieved earlier. The benefits here far outweigh the economic outlay for such a protocol, not just from a production perspective but also from a replacement breeding ewe angle, as conception rates improve.
Creep feeders consist of enclosures that are constructed to allow the lambs to access the high-quality feed, while denying access for their mothers. The enclosure set-up is fairly simple, with vertical bars at spacings large enough to allow access for the lambs but narrow enough to keep the ewes out. Further feed segregation can be achieved by placing a horizontal bar at a height to restrict ewes whilst allowing lambs to fit under.
The front panel of the creep feeder can be constructed of welded steel bars, while spare gates or sheep yard panels can be used for the rear and sides. It is best to provide the creep feed in troughs within the enclosure to reduce the risk of health problems for the lambs.
Creep feeding has varied success, therefore careful set up and management is pivotal.
Creep feeding can also provide an alternative strategy for feeding small, young or weak lambs, whilst at the same time allowing the ewes to reduce the high energy demands placed upon them whilst feeding their lambs. This helps improve ewe body condition score when moving towards summer and joining.
One challenge when introducing creep feeders is that it can take some time for the lambs to find the feed. This process can be fast-tracked by feeding some of the pellets initially in a trail with their mothers. The lambs will then learn to recognise the pellets as a feed source after their mothers lead the way (monkey see, monkey do), or, as our old friend and trailblazer, Reg Crabb, would say, “feed imprinting from ewe to lamb”.
It is good practice to place the creep feeders in close proximity to the main campsite of the flock, or at least close to the trail feed area, so the lambs can have constant access to the feed. Continuing to supplement feed the ewes even when lambs are creep fed is important, as the lambs will still be requiring some milk from their mothers.
As with all intensive, and semi-intensive, facilities, it is also advisable to make sure the direct area around any feeders has some gravel or other good base to prevent erosion. This also helps to keep the area cleaner and more hygienic.
Now that creep feeding has been introduced as topic of conversation, we welcome any feedback or tips from growers who may have tried this approach, are currently running the protocol as an ongoing part of their sheep enterprise, or would like the opportunity to discuss any points raised.
For further information call sheep specialists, Wayne Manoni, 0427 099 002 or Brett Blanchett, 0429 884 528, to discuss your feed requirements, or speak with the Milne Feeds nutritionist Joshua Sweeny 0432 219274. Orders can be placed directly on our orders line 08 9351 0726.
