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Climate Smart Q&A

Quick Guide: Key questions and answers about confined feeding

A series of workshops on confined feeding were held across eastern Australia in 2025 as part of the Climate Smart project hosted by MerinoLink. Producers asked many questions, with similar questions across locations. The questions and answers are presented here as a quick guide, with links to more detailed information at the end of the document.

Rations

What and how much do I need to feed?

How much to feed will depend on:

  • the weight of ewe and stage of pregnancy/lactation
  • the energy density of the feed used (how many megajoules/kg of dry matter, and how much of the feed is dry matter)
  • Energy is the key nutrient to consider, but protein requirements need to be considered as protein requirements may not be met with some feeds particularly in late pregnancy and lactation

Details on how much to feed for different classes of sheep can be found in state department manuals (see links).

Note that there is a maximum intake capacity for sheep, about 2-3% of liveweight in non-pregnant or pregnant ewes, but 4-5% of liveweight in lactating ewes. If the energy density of feed is low, they may be unable to eat sufficient to maintain weight. It is best to calculate the quantity of feed required based on the energy density of the specific feed used rather than as a percentage of liveweight to avoid under or overfeeding.

Get a FeedTest on feeds to avoid over or underfeeding, saving money on feed costs or sheep underperformance eg NSW DPI laboratory service: Feed quality

Generally, feed to meet the maintenance requirement for the class of sheep (ie maintain condition score). Feeding below the maintenance requirement will result in loss of condition score.

 

Do I need to feed roughage, and how much?

  • Effective fibre (roughage eg straw, hay) is critical to maintain rumen function and health. Grain is usually the cheapest feed type, but generally has insufficient fibre (except lupins contain adequate fibre).
  • Roughage should be provided at a minimum 10% of the total ration, with straw, hay or silage all common sources of fibre. For lactating ewes, a minimum 20% roughage is needed to promote milk production, and needs to be good quality (not straw).
  • If the energy density of the roughage is sufficient it is possible to feed only roughage (no grain) but grain is usually cheaper per unit (Megajoule) of energy. Late pregnant and lactating ewes will not be able to eat sufficient to meet energy requirements from roughage alone if the energy density of the roughage is low (eg straw and low-quality hay).

 

Do I need to use supplements when confined feeding?

  • When feeding grains and cereal/grass type roughages supplement with 1-1.5% agricultural limestone, and 1-1.5% salt to avoid calcium deficiency which is likely to cause ewe mortalities.
  • In the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and while lactating, include a supplement which provides magnesium, such as 1-1.5% Causmag as well, to avoid magnesium deficiency.
  • Lime/Causmag/salt (ratio 1:1:1 or 2:2;1) can be mixed in the feed or fed as a loose mix (30 g/ewe/day). Mixing into the grain means all ewes eat the supplement, while licks have highly variable intake between individuals. Lick blocks or injections are alternatives, but are more expensive. More than one form of calcium or magnesium is not essential, with a lime/salt or lime/causmag/salt effective in minimising calcium or magnesium deficiencies.
  • Other minerals are generally not required, except if they are a known deficiency in the location.
  • Vitamins A and E deficiencies are possible if ewes have no access to any green feed for several months.
  • Other additives can be used which may reduce the risk of acidosis or performance, but are not essential. Slow introduction to grain is critical to minimise the risk of acidosis.
  • Best policy is to ask your local vet (eg Local Land Services) if unsure of the need for supplements or if sheep are unwell.

Infrastructure

What is the minimum pen size?

  • Minimising pen area uses less land and protects more of the main farm area. Pen size needs to be suitable for the intended size of mob in each pen. Consider also other uses for the pens when not used for confinement (eg holding paddocks for shearing) to maximise use of the investment. Larger mobs (eg 1000) make feeding more efficient, but make monitoring of individuals more difficult. Intended mob sizes may vary (eg twins, singles, hospital pen). Although optimal mob size and pen area per sheep are unknown, the minimum area per sheep in confinement pens under the Australian welfare standards is:
    • Adult sheep 1.3 m2
    • Heavy wether 1.5 m2
    • Ewe with lambs 1.8 m2

What length of feed and water troughs?

  • The optimal length of feed troughs is unknown, but will depend on whether sheep can eat from one side (trough against fence so can be filled from outside the pen), or both sides. The key is that all sheep can eat at the trough at the same time. Insufficient trough length will increase shy feeders.
  • Feed troughs are not essential as many producers trail feed onto the ground. In wet weather or if soil is not hard-packed, troughs reduce feed waste and fouling.
  • The optimal length of water trough is unknown, with flow rate more important. Sheep may drink 10 L each per day in hot weather. Sufficient clean water without excessive mineral content is critical.
  • Feeding from inside or outside the pen is possible. Feeding from outside avoids the risk of running over sheep but requires double the width of pen to obtain sufficient feed trough/trail length. Feeding from inside the pen requires pens to be large enough to drive in and turn around. A skip pen avoids risks of running over sheep when feeding inside the pen (ie feed is put into an empty pen before sheep are allowed in).
  • Using self-feeders rather than troughs is possible, but is expensive due to the number required. Producers report self-feeders causing variable intake and a tail end of low condition sheep.

 

Where should I locate confinement pens?

  • Check state regulations (eg Local Land Services advise)
  • Away from areas highly visible to the public (privacy, disturbance)
  • Not too close to house (dust, sound)
  • Close to feed infrastructure (eg silos, water source) and sheepyards to minimise time taken to feed and manage sheep
  • On low risk areas eg gently sloping land to allow rain runoff, not prone to flood/boggy areas, not toxic weeds/substances, existing shade/shelter can be used.

Do I need a feed mixer or scales?

  • A feed mixer is not required, and these are expensive. Feeding roughage (bales or parts of bales) and grain separately is adequate.
  • Scales are not essential but would reduce the risk of over or underfeeding. An estimate of the quantity of feed fed out is essential, with monitoring of stock condition critical to alter rations if needed to achieve maintenance.

Do I need shade in confinement pens?

  • Sheep will be heat stressed in hot weather (> 25oC) and this may reduce their performance, including pregnancy rates and lamb survival. The impact will be larger in very hot conditions. Shade can reduce heat load by 50%, will reduce heat stress and is recommended. Shade is most cost-effectively provided with trees, which need to be fenced off to avoid ring-barking. Consider shade options when choosing site location. Artificial shade (eg shadecloth) is also effective, but more expensive.
  • If sheep are confined during cold, wet weather, shade may prevent pens from drying out, so shaded and unshaded areas may be needed. Shelter against cold winds and dusty wind is desirable, with shelter belts or other forms of shelter best considered when choosing the location of pens.

General

How do I minimise shy feeders?

  • Have sufficient trail/trough length so all sheep can access feed at the same time
  • Imprint feed weaners (feed small quantities a couple of times before weaning) so the ewes teach them that feed is feed. They remember for years.
  • Introduce feeds well in advance of needing to confine, so they recognise new feedstuffs.
  • Feed low quality roughage with grain, rather than quality roughage. This allows more sheep to access feed. The exception is late pregnant or lactating ewes when low quality will restrict energy intake.
  • Remove shy feeders (losing condition, hollow flanks) and feed in a separate pen – some will adapt. If not, they need to be removed to paddocks for feeding.
  • Care is needed to identify shy feeders in large mobs where they may not be as visible.

What are the target weights or condition score for ewes?

  • Condition score is a better estimate of nutritional status than live weight because individuals vary in frame size, and pregnancy increases weight but not condition score.
  • Ewes below condition score 2 have an increased risk of mortality, particularly if they are to lamb. No individual ewe should be below condition score 2 to maintain welfare.
  • Feeding ewes to be fat is inefficient. The optimal condition score for production is 3.
  • Allowing non or early pregnant ewes to lose condition eg from 3 to 2.5 will save some feed cost, but may also reduce the number of lambs born if it occurs before or during joining, and will reduce fetal numbers from the next joining if ewes have not regained condition. Loss of condition score during late pregnancy should be avoided as this is expected to reduce lamb survival, and may result in pregnancy toxaemia.

How do I reduce labour costs?

  • Feeding every second day or three times per week, once introduced to grain feeding, reduces the time required to feed for ewes providing the feed cart is sufficient for higher volumes. For at least the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and during lambing ewes should be fed daily to minimise the risk of pregnancy toxaemia.
  • Feeding larger mobs reduces time starting/stopping/opening gates.
  • Locate pens close to feed storage and sheepyards to minimise time taking feed to sheep and time yarding sheep for eg removal of shy feeders, drenching etc.
  • Have adequate feeding equipment for the type and quantity of feed used.
  • Keep feeding systems simple
  • If troughs are used, choose a design that is easy to clean.

When is it not viable to confinement feed?

  • If you don’t have the funds, equipment/infrastructure, labour or mental commitment to feed stock for a lengthy period.
  • Feeding stock is expensive. The cost of feeding for different durations needs to be calculated prior to committing to calculate whether funds are available, for how many stock and for how long. The cost of feeding can be considered against the value of stock, their production if retained, and the cost of buying in replacement stock if sold.
  • Feed prices typically increase during drought, and feed may become difficult to source. These risks may make feeding unviable.
  • Superior genetics may be difficult to replace if all stock are sold, but most producers have average genetics. Inferior genetics and unproductive animals are less likely to be viable to feed.
  • Whether it is viable to confinement feed, and for how long, will vary between businesses.

How do I manage lambing ewes in confinement or sacrifice paddocks?

  • There are no clear guidelines because it is best avoided.
  • Nutrition is critical, as feeding below maintenance requirements will reduce lamb survival.
  • Optimise ewe condition during late pregnancy – avoid having individual ewes below condition score 2.
  • A minimum roughage of 20% is needed to promote milk production, needed to improve lamb survival.
  • As well as maintenance energy, late pregnant and lactating ewes need a minimum 12% crude protein, which may be met with including better quality hay or a high protein grain such as lupins.
  • Providing a calcium and magnesium supplement (eg lime/causmag/salt 1-1.5% of each in a 1:1:1 or 2:2:1 mix) is needed with grain or grass-based rations to minimise ewe mortality.
  • Lambing ewes need to be fed daily to minimise the risk of pregnancy toxaemia.
  • Avoid trail feeding late afternoon as lambs need time to mother-up.
  • Minimise disturbance to lambing ewes.
  • Broadcasting lupin grain at 14 or 21 day intervals, rather than 3 or 7 day intervals, may reduce variation in intake and disturbance to ewes lambing in sacrifice paddocks.

How young can I wean lambs?

  • Early weaning is desirable when hand-feeding so better quality feed can be provided to the lamb rather than the ewe, reducing costs.
  • The minimum age to wean is 8 weeks, in combination with reaching a minimum live weight. The minimum live weight at which lambs can be weaned will vary with the frame size of the breed/strain, but 10 kg in Merino and 12 kg in crossbred is a guide.

How to remove ewes from confinement?

  • Sudden change in diet can risk pulpy kidney. If ewes have been confined for several months, a booster vaccination 2 weeks prior to exit will reduce the risk.
  • Feed ewes before exit to avoid chasing green pick or gorging on new feed.
  • Ewes may chase green pick but not obtain sufficient feed. Continue supplementation as required to ensure sufficient feed and slow the change in feed type.
  • Sudden change in nutrition when released to green pasture may result in lower staple strength. Slow the change in diet by continuing to supplement hay and/or grain after release. Gradually increasing the grazing time each day will also slow the change in diet, but it can be difficult to get ewes back into confinement after release, and is labour intensive.

 

Sheep health

What is a typical animal health plan?

Pre-feeding Booster vaccination for clostridials eg 6 in 1. If not previously vaccinated, an initial then a booster vaccination 4 weeks later is needed.

 

Worm egg count

 

Consult vet on whether vitamin A, E deficiency a risk (no green feed for several months prior)

 
Entry to pens Drench if needed

Vitamin A,E injection if required

Introduce grain slowly, including lime/salt. Include magnesium (eg Causmag) if late pregnant/lactating

 
First 3 weeks Introduction to grain, increase slowly and adapt to 2 or 3 day feeding if appropriate

Monitor for loose faeces – indicator of acidosis – reduce grain/increase roughage while adapting

Monitor behaviour/hollow flanks for shy feeders – remove and feed in separate pen or feed in paddock

Monitor a subsample for condition score or weight to ensure ration is adequate

Monitor feed refusals – may indicate acidosis, illness, unpalatable feed, or excessive feed
Throughout Monitor for loose faeces

Monitor for shy feeders

Monitor condition score

Monitor behaviour for indicators of ill health

Keep troughs clean

If feeding for > 3 months, a booster vaccination for clostridials may be needed

 
Last 4 weeks of pregnancy Pre-lambing vaccination for clostridials 4-6 weeks pre-lambing (eg 6 in 1)

Return to daily feeding

Increase roughage, and quality of roughage

 
2 weeks prior to exit A booster vaccination for clostridials (eg 6 in 1) may be needed if fed > 3 months
Exit from confinement Feed prior to exit

Continue supplementation of feed if needed, including calcium and magnesium.

Monitor pasture availability

Monitor condition score

 

Other

Is it safe to lamb on cereal crops?

  • Ewes can safely lamb on cereal crops without increasing ewe or lamb mortality.
  • Cereal crops are deficient in calcium and magnesium, so providing a supplement with these minerals is recommended to avoid a known risk of hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia (grass tetany). A loose lick of lime/causmag/salt in the ratio 1:1:1 or 2:2:1, fed at 30 g/ewe/day will minimise the risk, while appropriate lick blocks are also effective.
  • Excessive nutrition throughout late pregnancy, as may occur on abundant cereal crops or pastures, may increase the risk of heavy birthweight lambs and lambing difficulty, particularly in singles. Manage grazing to avoid excessive weight gain during late pregnancy.

 

Further information

 

 

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture program under the Natural Heritage Trust