Unlocking Potential: The Power of Creep Feeding
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- 28 Feb 2024
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If your lambs are struggling with low-quality forage or limited grazing options, you should consider creep-feeding your lambs. Creep feeding provides supplemental nutrition to lambs while they are still nursing.
For those with well-managed grazing systems and access to plentiful grass, creep feeding may not be required. However, to hit daily live weight gain (DLWG) targets and meet market requirements, reliance on low-quality forage or limited grazing won’t deliver the desired results, and it will pay to feed creep feed to bolster performance.
4 reasons why you should consider creep feeding
- Faster Growth and Development: Lambs get extra nutrients beyond their mother's milk, promoting quicker growth. This leads to heavier lambs at weaning and an earlier finish for the market.
- Smoother Weaning: Lambs already accustomed to solid feed experience less stress when separated from their mothers.
- Improved Ewe Health: Ewes with lambs on creep feed can maintain better body condition, as the lambs rely less on their milk.
- Targeted Feeding: You can tailor creep feed to the specific needs of the flock, such as addressing deficiencies or boosting performance based on breed or market goals.
How to creep feed lambs
- Creep Area: Set up a designated area using creep gates or panels that only lambs can fit through. Keep it clean, dry, and well-lit.
- Creep Feed: Choose a high-quality lamb creep feed formulated with 16-20% protein and ingredients supporting digestion and health (often including a coccidiostat to prevent a common parasite issue).
- Start Early: Introduce creep feed when lambs are a few weeks old. Begin with small amounts, gradually increasing them as lambs show interest.
- Management: Monitor feed intake and adjust as needed. Ensure fresh feed and clean water are always available in the creep area.
Choosing the right creep feed
The Wynnstay Lambmaster range is scientifically formulated with the optimal balance of energy and protein to achieve high growth rates, ensuring lambs can be finished quickly.
- Unique sweetener ensures excellent palatability to boost intakes
- Complements a milk and grass diet to ensure high growth rates
- A balance of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals for healthy lambs
- Contains certified sustainable soya
