Lambs

Rearing 

• Early supply of the lambs with colostrum 
• The minimum weaning weight is around 15 kg 

The feeding needs to be adapted to the breeding method or the duration of suckling:

• In conventional breeding (16 weeks lactation) offer from the third week, hay and feed supplements to stimulate rumen development
• In premature weaning (suckling period 5-6 weeks) offer from the second week of life, hay and feed supplements to stimulate rumen development
• A motherless rearing  (three days with suckling colostrum) to be followed by feeeding with milk replacer
• A motherless rearing may be necessary due to biological reasons (death of the mother) but it is not recommended as a standard procedure.

Fattening  

• The slaughter weight of lambs should be at 42kg, buck-and female lambs approximately 3 - 5 kg less
• Adequate protein and energy supply 
• Fresh water constantely provided
• Mineral feed without additional copper
• The ratio between Ca:P of 3:1 to prevent  renal gravel

Feeding must be adapted to the fattening method, the duration of fattening or the finishing weight:

• In the intensive fattening (5 - 6 weeks suckling period) lambs are kept in the barn and receive concentrated feed ad libitum and additional 100 - 300 g hay should be offered
• During the fattening on home-grown feed (16 weeks suckling period) lambs are, still kept in the baren, fattened with home-grown basic feed and concentrated feedingstuffs
• In the summer fattening (16 weeks suckling period) the lambs are fattenend at pasture until they are ready for slaughter 

Ewes and breeding rams

The aim is a high fertility and breeding performance. In the different phases of production various claims on the supply of energy, nutrients and drugs are existing

Ewes during the breeding period

• Changes from protein to engery feeding stuff
• Flushing-Effect: increasing the energy content of 30% above the required standard
• Increase in ovulation rate by the flushing effect

Early pregnancy

• Increase of the protein supply
• Basically diet on the level of maintenance requirement 

Advanced pregnancy

• The nutrient requirement increases by the development of fetuses and mammary gland development  
• Higher digestibility of the feed needed
• Basal diet supplemented with concentrates as the feed intake capacity is low due to the developing fetus
• Supply with vitamin-rich mineral feed

Lactation

• Nutrient needs are determined by the milk yield, basal diet supplemented with additional 0.5 kg concentrate per lamb
• Distinction between singleton and twin mothers
• Supply with vitamin-rich mineral feed

Breeding rams

• Apart the breeding season, the nutrient and energy requirement needs to be adapted to the conservation status 
• During the breeding season additional energy and protein supply is required 
• Deficient and excessive feeding has a negative effect on the reproductive performance

Goats

• Long feeding times and all-day food access
• Straw or hay ad libitum
• Dry matter intake between 1.5 kg and 2.58 kg (at least 60% of the forage)
• Fiber needed for milk production
• Dry matter content in the total ration: 18% (12% crude fiber such as hay or pre-wilted silage)
• In early pregnancy, feeding on the conservation needs
• During late pregnancy the energy demand  must be adapted to the development of the products of conception (adjustment of the ration approximately 3-4 weeks before due date)
• During the first two month of lactation 1,5 kg concentrated feed must be added to the basic rations
• Vitamin-enriched mineral feed supports the vitality and health of goatmothers and their lambs