Dutch Texel in Canada/
Dutch Texel in Canada JR Alkema

Feeding Program

Dutch Texel Fleece Study

Some Sheep Facts

FEEDING PROGRAM DUTCH TEXEL
at Cold Stream Ranch

Here is information about our feeding program for our Dutch Texel (DT) ewes grass/pasture in summer, some grain 2 weeks before and 4 weeks, after breeding

Once our ewes come in off grass, we feed them alfalfa with grass hay - first cut hay

NO grain before lambing, reason - the unborn lambs will get to heavy ( 12-15 lbs. ) not good for the ewe (as the DT is a medium size animal)

After the lambs are born we start feeding mixed grain (50% whole corn, 25% oats, 25% barley) to the ewes.

When the lambs are 10-12 days old we start feeding them ' lamb creep ' 18% protein and slowly add mixed grain with the lamb creep - with free choice Alfalfa - After six weeks we eliminate the 18% protein lamb creep - and feed mixed grain and Alfalfa

The pure Texel lamb gains weight fast in the first 50 - 60 days and then slows down Keep in mind that the Dutch Texel ram weighs approximately 190lbs to 220lbs and the ewe 145lbs to 155lbs when mature; however with our selective breeding we have increased the weight of our rams and ewes which reflects on the weight of the lambs.

My contacts in The Netherlands and France lamb on grass and finishes on grass - and feeds little or no grain.

regards,

Cold Stream Ranch.

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SOME SHEEP FACTS

• Sheep were one of the first animals to be domesticated by men
• Sheep do not have top front teeth
• The gestation period of a ewe is about 5 months
• Generally speaking, sheep in North America are considered old at 6 years
• There are many different breeds, some have black faces, others have white faces - some are wool breeds, others are meat breeds
• Sheep like to graze - Graze means the sheep eat growing grasses
• Sheep gives us food and fiber
• Some sheep have hair instead of wool
• Wool is water repellent
• Wool is a excellent insulator
• Wool can be made into felt
• Wool is almost non flammable
• Persian lamb comes from Karakul sheep from Russia
• A sheep is a ruminant with 4 stomachs

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