Protein is the building block for cells. As you develop and grow your quality sheep flock, your priorities should include the health and nutrition of your flock. If health and nutrition remain at the top of your list, you should offer adequate protein to your ewes when they need it most.
When a ewe’s diet is deficient in protein, fetal development, growth and milk production can all be impacted. That’s where the importance of protein tubs for sheep comes in.
At BioZyme®, the makers of DuraFerm®, we specialize in vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen your stock by supporting reproductive success and enhancing overall health. DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that promotes optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production.
We base every product we make and sell on research to ensure it does what it needs to do. And before it ever leaves our plant, it will do what we say it does. We are innovative in our thinking. If there is something that the industry needs, such as protein tubs for sheep, that is what we strive to provide.
In the end, we want to create undeniable impact for every animal.
DuraFerm® Protein Tubs for Sheep
At BioZyme, makers of DuraFerm vitamin and mineral supplements for sheep and goats, we know the value of protein for all species. That’s why we offer the DuraFerm® Concept•Aid® Sheep Protein Tub.
The DuraFerm Concept•Aid Sheep Protein Tub is a protein tub with vitamins and minerals for sheep designed to support reproductive success. This 125-pound tub:
- Contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility
- Contains the Concept•Aid sheep mineral package in a 16% natural protein tub
- Supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals and high levels of vitamin E.
This tub combines Amaferm, Concept•Aid, organic trace minerals and protein, making it the ideal solution for producers during late gestation and lactation. Let’s review the four most critical times to supplement added protein into your flock.
When to Offer Protein Tubs for Sheep
For sheep, 4 vital periods require extra protein intake to ensure optimal health, growth and productivity.
1. Late Gestation
The final 6 weeks of pregnancy are crucial for pregnant ewes. During this time, developing lambs grow rapidly, and the ewe’s nutritional needs, particularly for protein, increase significantly, upwards to 11%. During the final trimester, pregnant ewes experience significant fetal growth, with up to 70% of fetal development occurring in this period.
Sufficient protein is essential to support fetal development, improve birth weights, increase lamb vigor at birth and enhance the ewe’s body condition and health to prepare for lambing. Poor nutrition, including inadequate protein during late gestation, may result in pregnancy ketosis, lower birth weights, weak lambs and/or lower milk production.
Why Protein Matters
- Fetal Development: Adequate protein ensures proper muscle and organ development in lambs. Undernutrition during this stage can lead to weaker lambs with lower birth weights and higher mortality rates.
- Colostrum Production: High-quality colostrum is vital for lambs, providing antibodies and nutrients for survival.
- Ewe Condition: Insufficient protein can lead to pregnancy toxemia (ketosis), particularly in ewes carrying multiple lambs.
2. Lactation
The early lactation period, particularly the first 6 to 8 weeks post-lambing, is the most nutritionally demanding period for ewes and requires increased protein intake. New mamas need extra protein to produce the necessary high-quality milk to support the growth and development of their lambs. Ensuring that ewes receive adequate protein during lactation helps maintain milk production and contributes to the lamb’s overall health and growth rate.
They use this protein to produce milk and pass this protein onto their lambs through their milk to ensure a healthy, growing lamb.
Why Protein Matters
- Milk Yield & Quality: Protein drives milk synthesis. Poor protein intake leads to reduced milk quantity and quality, directly impacting lamb growth rates.
- Body Condition Maintenance: Lactating ewes with inadequate protein mobilize body reserves, risking excessive weight loss and slower recovery for the next breeding season.
- Lamb Growth: Lambs rely entirely on milk during their early weeks. A lack of sufficient protein in the ewe’s diet can stunt their growth.
3. Growth Phase
Young, developing lambs, particularly those being raised for meat or as replacement breeding stock, require higher levels of protein to support rapid growth and muscle development. This period typically spans from weaning until they reach market weight or maturity. Providing adequate protein during this growth phase helps achieve optimal weight gains, good body condition and overall health.
Why Protein Matters
- Muscle & Tissue Development: Protein provides amino acids necessary for building muscles, organs and tissues, ensuring proper growth and desirable carcass quality for meat production.
- Energy Utilization & Rumen Health: Protein supports rumen microbes, which enhance digestion and energy extraction from feed. This synergy between protein and energy ensures lambs grow efficiently.
- Immune System & Overall Health: Protein is vital for producing antibodies and supporting a robust immune system, helping lambs resist diseases and recover quickly from stressors like weaning or environmental changes.
4. Periods of Drought or Poor Forage Quality
In periods of drought or seasonal forage decline, like fall and winter, the natural diet of sheep often becomes deficient in both protein and energy. Supplementation is vital to prevent malnutrition and associated health issues.
Not only do the DuraFerm Sheep Protein Tubs help supplement protein, but they also provide Amaferm, which helps with digestibility, enhancing the overall feed utilization of low-quality forages.
Why Protein Matters
- Protein Deficiency in Forages: Mature, dry grasses and low-quality hay typically fall below 6-7% crude protein, insufficient for maintenance.
- Reduced Digestibility: Protein is necessary for rumen microbes to digest fibrous forages effectively. Protein deficiency lowers feed utilization efficiency.
- Immune Function: Chronically undernourished sheep have weakened immune systems, leading to higher susceptibility to disease.
Ensuring that sheep receive adequate protein during these critical periods helps optimize their reproductive performance, milk production and growth rates, ultimately contributing to the flock’s overall productivity and profitability.
Invest in Protein Tubs for Sheep
DuraFerm Protein Tubs offer several management benefits over other sources of protein for sheep. Not just because of their protein supplementation, but because tubs offer specific advantages over other products.
These benefits make protein tubs for sheep an attractive option for shepherds aiming to optimize the health and productivity of their herd.
Convenience & Consistency
Protein tubs are highly convenient for both sheep and their owners. Unlike daily feed mixes or individual supplements, protein tubs provide a constant and consistent source of protein. Sheep can access the protein whenever they need it, ensuring they maintain steady intake levels without the need for frequent human intervention.
Self-Regulation
Your flock can self-regulate their protein intake with a protein tub. They consume protein according to their physiological needs, which can vary based on age, reproductive status and health.
This self-regulation helps prevent both underfeeding and overfeeding, ensuring optimal protein levels are maintained.
DuraFerm’s products include Amaferm, a prebiotic that boosts sheep’s digestion. This helps keep them eating even during periods of environmental stress.
Reduced Labor & Management
Compared to daily feed supplements or individually tailored rations, protein tubs significantly reduce the labor and management required. This is particularly advantageous for larger flocks or for owners with limited time. Protein tubs for sheep provide a long-lasting and low-maintenance solution.
Palatability & Consumption
Protein tubs are highly palatable, encouraging consistent consumption. This ensures that sheep receive their required nutrients regularly, leading to better overall health and productivity. This is especially true when compared to less palatable protein sources that sheep might avoid.
Perhaps one of the best benefits of the protein tubs is lambs will mimic their mamas and start licking the tubs within the first few weeks of life. Once the lambs discover the tasty protein tubs and start licking them, they will also reap the benefits of added protein – both through the tub and via nursing.
Strengthen Your Stock with Protein Tubs for Sheep
Adding protein to your flock seems like a simple choice. However, with DuraFerm, you also offer adequate protein, the other nutrients you need and a prebiotic that will benefit your flock, like Amaferm.
You’ve invested in quality genetics for your flock. Now it is time to strengthen your stock with a quality vitamin and mineral supplement with adequate protein to help your flock perform to its optimum.
Simply add DuraFerm to your operation. Get the added protein you need to strengthen your stock during the critical times they need it most with protein tubs for sheep—DuraFerm® Concept•Aid® Sheep Protein Tub.
Buy your DuraFerm Today!
You can purchase DuraFerm products powered by AO-Biotics Amaferm. DuraFerm is available through the extensive BioZyme dealer network. Locate a dealer near you today. DuraFerm offers products that support reproduction, resilience and retention. What more could you ask for?
You can also gather more information about DuraFerm from our educational blog series or by signing up for our newsletter.