Feed delivery method and ad libitum access to straw for grain-fed sheep

Abstract

Strong demand for lamb and declining wool prices in Australia have resulted in an increase in the number of grain-fed sheep. The high incidence of 'shy feeders' limits the efficiency of intensive feeding production systems because of the associated decrease in feed intake and growth rate. The incidence of shy feeders has been reported to be as high as 10%-15%, which has important economic implications for feeding grain to sheep in finishing systems (Kirby et al., 2004). Trough and feed familiarisation at a young age has a positive affect on the acceptability of feed later in life (Bowman and Sowell, 1997). Anecdotal evidence suggests that ad libitum access to straw reduces the incidence of shy feeders, perhaps by limiting negative post-ingestive feedback associated with acidotic rumen conditions. This study was conducted to examine the effect of the method of feed delivery and ad libitum access to straw on the performance of grain-fed sheep.