The Basics of Feeding Your Flock: How to Keep Your Sheep Healthy

Sheep are hardy, versatile animals, but when it comes to nutrition, they have specific needs that can make or break the health of your flock. At Manning’s Feed & Seed, we know that what you feed your sheep today impacts their productivity, growth, and overall wellbeing tomorrow. Here are the basics every sheep owner should know about feeding their flock right.

🌾 Forage First: The Foundation of a Sheep’s Diet

Sheep are ruminants, which means their digestive system is designed to process forage — like grass, hay, and legumes — as their main source of nutrition.

✅ Pasture grazing is ideal when available, as it provides fresh nutrients and keeps your sheep active.

✅ When pasture is limited, high-quality hay is the next best option. Look for hay that’s clean, leafy, and free of mold or dust.

Tip: Avoid feeding sheep too much alfalfa, as its high calcium can lead to urinary problems in rams and wethers.

🧂 Don’t Forget Minerals

One of the most common mistakes new shepherds make is skipping mineral supplements. Sheep have unique mineral needs, especially for copper — they’re very sensitive to it.

🧂Offer a sheep-specific mineral block or loose mineral (not one made for cattle, which often contains toxic levels of copper).

🧂 Place it in a dry, accessible spot where all your sheep can reach it.

🌾 When to Add Grain

For most healthy, mature sheep on good pasture or hay, grain isn’t necessary. However, some situations call for a little extra energy:

🐑 Pregnant or lactating ewes

🐑 Young, fast-growing lambs

🐑 Sheep in poor body condition

Offer grain in moderation to avoid digestive upset, and always introduce it gradually to prevent bloat or acidosis.

🚰 Water is Key

Sheep may not always seem like big drinkers, but clean, fresh water is vital to their health. Make sure water sources are ice-free in winter and shaded in summer to encourage good intake.

🐏 What to Avoid Feeding Sheep

🚫 Don’t feed sheep anything moldy, dusty, or old.

🚫 Avoid cattle feed, chicken feed, or anything with high copper content.

🚫 Limit treats — too many can lead to health problems.

We’re Here to Help!

At Manning’s Feed & Seed, we carry a variety of sheep-friendly feeds, minerals, and supplies to keep your flock healthy and thriving. Not sure what’s right for your sheep? Stop by and talk with our team — we’re happy to help you find the perfect products for your flock.