Feeding Sheep with Alfalfa Hay
This page analyzes the use of alfalfa hay as a feed source for sheep. At 18% crude protein and 58% TDN, alfalfa hay is fully suitable as a sole feed for sheep at maintenance level (requires 10% CP and 55% TDN). Below you will find daily feeding rates, costs across herd sizes, and a life-stage breakdown showing how requirements change through the production cycle.
Alfalfa Hay for Sheep by Life Stage
Feed requirements change significantly across life stages. The table below shows the daily as-fed quantity of alfalfa hay needed for each sheep life stage, along with whether the feed meets the adjusted protein and TDN requirements for that stage. Life stages with higher demands (lactation, growth) may require supplementation even if alfalfa hay is adequate at maintenance.
| Life Stage | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Protein Need | Protein OK? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Ewe | 5.3 lbs | 5.8 lbs | 10% | Yes | $21.87 |
| Flushing (Pre-Breeding) | 6.3 lbs | 7.0 lbs | 12% | Yes | $26.25 |
| Late Gestation | 6.0 lbs | 6.7 lbs | 13% | Yes | $25.16 |
| Lactating Ewe | 7.4 lbs | 8.2 lbs | 15% | Yes | $30.63 |
| Growing Lamb | 6.8 lbs | 7.6 lbs | 16% | Yes | $28.44 |
| Breeding Ram | 5.8 lbs | 6.4 lbs | 12% | Yes | $24.06 |
Herd Feed Budget: Sheep on Alfalfa Hay
For operations feeding alfalfa hay to multiple sheep animals, the table below projects total feed requirements and costs. These estimates use the maintenance-level feeding rate of 5.8 lbs as-fed per head per day at $250/ton.
| Head Count | Daily As-Fed Total | Monthly Tons | Annual Tons | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.8 lbs | 0.08 tons | 0.96 tons | $21.87 | $266.15 |
| 5 | 29.2 lbs | 0.39 tons | 4.79 tons | $109.37 | $1,330.73 |
| 10 | 58.3 lbs | 0.79 tons | 9.58 tons | $218.75 | $2,661.46 |
| 25 | 145.8 lbs | 1.97 tons | 23.95 tons | $546.87 | $6,653.65 |
| 50 | 291.5 lbs | 3.94 tons | 47.91 tons | $1,093.75 | $13,307.29 |
| 100 | 583.0 lbs | 7.88 tons | 95.81 tons | $2,187.50 | $26,614.58 |
Feeding Rates by Body Weight
The daily amount of alfalfa hay varies with the individual animal's body weight. The table below shows as-fed feeding rates and monthly costs across a range of weights for sheep.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Monthly Feed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 lbs | 3.7 lbs | 4.1 lbs | 110 lbs | $15.25 |
| 149 lbs | 4.5 lbs | 5.0 lbs | 134 lbs | $18.62 |
| 175 lbs | 5.3 lbs | 5.8 lbs | 158 lbs | $21.87 |
| 201 lbs | 6.0 lbs | 6.7 lbs | 181 lbs | $25.12 |
| 228 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 7.6 lbs | 205 lbs | $28.50 |
Nutritional Analysis: Alfalfa Hay for Sheep
Alfalfa Hay provides 18% crude protein on a dry matter basis, while sheep at maintenance require a minimum of 10% crude protein. This means alfalfa hay provides 8 percentage points of protein above the minimum requirement, giving adequate margin for variation in feed quality and individual animal needs.
For energy, alfalfa hay provides 58% TDN compared to the sheep requirement of 55% TDN. The energy content is adequate for maintenance and provides 3 percentage points of margin. Higher-demand life stages such as lactation or rapid growth may require energy supplementation with grain or fat even though the maintenance requirement is met.
The dry matter content of alfalfa hay is 90%, meaning that for every 100 lbs of as-fed feed, the animal receives 90 lbs of actual dry matter nutrition and 10 lbs of water. At $250 per ton as-fed, the effective cost per ton of dry matter is $278. When comparing feeds, always use the dry matter cost rather than the as-fed cost to make fair comparisons between feeds with different moisture levels.
For a comprehensive feeding program, consider combining alfalfa hay with complementary feeds that address any nutritional gaps. Browse the complete feed comparison to identify the most cost-effective supplements, or use the calculator to model different feed combinations. Always provide free-choice mineral supplementation and clean water regardless of the forage and grain program.
More Feeding Combinations
Explore other feed options for sheep or see how alfalfa hay works for other species.
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