What Do Sheep Eat in Winter
When the cold months roll in, sheep owners often wonder: What do sheep eat in winter? Unlike summer, when lush pastures provide abundant nutrition, winter feeding requires careful planning to keep your flock healthy and productive. Here, we’ll explore the best winter diet for sheep, why it matters, and practical tips for feeding during the chilly season.
At BioZyme®, we focus on care that comes full circle, and that starts with providing quality education for all producers and animal enthusiasts. We aren’t just scientists producing supplements and animal nutritional products. We are producers, just like you, who have had many of the same challenges you have had along the way. Our DuraFerm® line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production and through every season.
Why Winter Feeding Is Different
Sheep are hardy animals, but winter brings unique challenges. For an in-depth look at what can sheep eat, read an earlier blog. Winter feeding is slightly different. Grass growth slows or stops entirely, and snow or frozen ground makes grazing impossible. This means sheep rely on stored feed and supplements to meet their nutritional needs. Proper winter feeding ensures:
- Maintained body condition for breeding and lambing.
- Strong immune systems to fight off cold-weather stress.
- Consistent energy for warmth and overall health.
When the temperatures drop and pastures fade, sheep still need a balanced, consistent diet to stay healthy, maintain body condition, and prepare for lambing. But winter feeding isn’t complicated once you understand the basics. So, what do sheep eat in winter?
What Do Sheep Eat in Winter? The Essentials
1. Hay – The Primary Winter Feed
Hay is the foundation of a sheep’s winter diet. Good-quality grass hay or mixed legume hay provides fiber and energy. Ideally, hay should be:
- Green and leafy, not dusty or moldy.
- Stored in a dry place to prevent spoilage.
On average, an adult sheep needs 3–4 pounds of hay per day, depending on size and whether the ewe is pregnant or lactating.
2. Grains for Extra Energy
When temperatures drop, sheep burn more calories to stay warm. Adding grains like corn, oats, or barley can boost energy intake. However, grains should be fed in moderation to avoid digestive issues. A typical ration might include ½ to 1 pound of grain per day for ewes in late pregnancy or lactation.
3. Mineral Supplements
Sheep require essential minerals year-round, but winter diets often lack natural sources due to frozen ground. Provide a sheep-specific mineral mix containing:
- Salt
- Calcium and phosphorus
- Trace minerals like zinc, manganese, and selenium.
Mineral blocks or loose minerals should be available at all times.
4. Fresh Water
Even in freezing temperatures, sheep need access to clean water. Use heated waterers or break ice regularly to prevent dehydration, which can lead to serious health problems.
5. Special Considerations for Pregnant Ewes
If your flock includes pregnant ewes, their nutritional needs increase significantly during the last six weeks of gestation. Supplement their diet with higher-quality hay and additional grain to support fetal growth and prepare for lambing. Proper nutrition during lambing season is vital for both the ewes and her progeny.
Winter Feeding Tips for Healthy Sheep
- Monitor body condition: Sheep should maintain a healthy weight throughout winter.
- Avoid sudden diet changes: Introduce grains gradually to prevent digestive upset.
- Provide shelter: While sheep tolerate cold well, protection from wind and wet conditions reduces energy loss.
- Check feed quality: Moldy or spoiled feed can cause illness.
Make DuraFerm Part of Your Winter-Feeding Strategy
DuraFerm provides your flock with great nutritional support through all stages of production. You won’t have to ask what do sheep eat in the winter. They will flock to this vitamin and mineral supplement.
All DuraFerm products are powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. With increased digestibility, your sheep stay warmer from the inside out. Additionally, Amaferm ensures that your animals get more nutrients from every bite, stretching your feed resources even further.
The following products are sheep supplements in the DuraFerm line you should consider when selecting a mineral for your flock.
DuraFerm® Concept•Aid® Sheep
DuraFerm Concept•Aid Sheep is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for sheep designed to support reproductive success. The loose mineral comes in both a 50 and a 12-pound bag.
This breeding mineral contains high levels of vitamin E for reproductive tract repair and supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals, including zinc, manganese, and selenium.
DuraFerm® Concept•Aid® Sheep Protein Tub
DuraFerm Concept•Aid Sheep Protein Tub is a protein tub with vitamins and minerals for sheep designed to support reproductive success. The 125-pound tub also contains Amaferm to enhance digestibility and the Concept•Aid sheep mineral package in a 16% natural protein tub.
This protein tub supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals and high levels of vitamin E. The tub is a great resource for pregnant and lactating ewes. Additionally, lambs can benefit from the tub, and they will start licking it, mimicking their mothers.
DuraFerm® ONE Sheep
DuraFerm ONE Sheep is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for sheep that promotes performance year-round. The newest product in our line, ONE, also contains Amaferm to enhance digestibility.
DuraFerm ONE Sheep meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle. It is formulated with research-proven organic zinc for enhanced bioavailability and comes in a 50-pound bag.
The Final Word
So, what do sheep eat in winter? The answer is a balanced diet of hay, grains, minerals, and fresh water, tailored to their life stage and condition. We hope that your mineral program includes a supplement like DuraFerm. Being proactive and providing proper nutrition helps keep your flock thriving through the cold months and ready for spring.
Get your DuraFerm Today
Now that we’ve explored “what do sheep eat in winter,” we are ready to help provide you with a quality nutritional supplement for your flock. If you can provide them with quality hay and grain, we can provide you with a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement. The Amaferm within DuraFerm ensures that they absorb the maximum nutrients from the provided forages while enhancing digestibility.
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 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.