21 Aug Quick Guide to Feedlotting Lambs

Feedlotting is an intensive feeding system whereby animals are fed and watered in a confined space.

Finishing lambs in a feedlot system helps take the pressure off pasture and can achieve high daily growth rates with low margins. It gives producers the ability to meet market requirements for weight and fat score. It is important to follow good management practice to achieve the best results.

Pre-entry considerations

Prepare lambs for feedlot entry by only bringing in disease- free animals. This involves ensuring they have been drenched with a broad-spectrum drench before entering. Before entry, all lambs should have completed a vaccination program against pulpy kidney and cheesy gland. You may also consider injecting with Vitamin A, D3, E and B12 if lambs have not had access to green feed within 2-3 months. It is also considered that shearing for a wool length of <25mm will help stimulate appetite and reduce the chance of blowfly strike – do this at least one week before feedlotting.

Gradual pellet introduction

With feedlot feeding, it’s important to remember that gradual is best so that lambs can adjust from pasture to a pellet-based diet. You must allow for a 14 day transition to reduce the risk of bloat, scouring and death.

Always have palatable hay that is free from barley grass and dust available for 7-10 days. After this time, you can transition to straw.

Once lambs are settled and full, you can make Lamb Starter Pellets (produced by Kojonup Feeds) available ad lib in self-feeders.

After 5-7 days lambs will be accustomed to a higher grain ration and you can transition to Lamb Finisher Pellets. This specially formulated ration is convenient and easy to use. High in energy and digestibility, Lamb Finisher Pellets will optimise growth rate when offered as directed.

You will need to maintain a constant supply of Lamb Finisher Pellets for the duration of feeding. Intake of this product should be 2 to 2.5% of live weight. Ensure that fresh water is always available.

Any Questions?

Our veterinary and nutritionist team is always available to provide free advice to lamb producers. We’ve been supporting the prime lamb industry for 33 years and our feed products have been developed with your success in mind.

Our economical Lamb Finisher Pellets are fortified with vitamins and minerals added to promote optimal health and growth. They also include Bovatec 20 which has been shown to improve feed efficiency and increased weight gain in feedlot animals being fed in confinement.

All our feeds involve minimal processing ensuring that ingredients keep their natural goodness. If you would like to get in contact with our veterinary team for free advice, contact (8) 9296 4767 or email admin@thompsonandredwood.com.au or pete@kojonupfeeds.com.au.