Feeding Sheep with Grass Hay
This page analyzes the use of grass hay as a feed source for sheep. At 8% crude protein and 52% TDN, grass hay is does not meet protein or energy requirements 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.
Grass Hay for Sheep by Life Stage
Feed requirements change significantly across life stages. The table below shows the daily as-fed quantity of grass 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 grass hay is adequate at maintenance.
| Life Stage | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Protein Need | Protein OK? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Ewe | 5.3 lbs | 6.0 lbs | 10% | No | $13.42 |
| Flushing (Pre-Breeding) | 6.3 lbs | 7.2 lbs | 12% | No | $16.11 |
| Late Gestation | 6.0 lbs | 6.9 lbs | 13% | No | $15.44 |
| Lactating Ewe | 7.4 lbs | 8.3 lbs | 15% | No | $18.79 |
| Growing Lamb | 6.8 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 16% | No | $17.45 |
| Breeding Ram | 5.8 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 12% | No | $14.77 |
Herd Feed Budget: Sheep on Grass Hay
For operations feeding grass hay to multiple sheep animals, the table below projects total feed requirements and costs. These estimates use the maintenance-level feeding rate of 6.0 lbs as-fed per head per day at $150/ton.
| Head Count | Daily As-Fed Total | Monthly Tons | Annual Tons | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.0 lbs | 0.08 tons | 0.96 tons | $13.42 | $163.32 |
| 5 | 29.8 lbs | 0.39 tons | 4.79 tons | $67.12 | $816.58 |
| 10 | 59.7 lbs | 0.79 tons | 9.58 tons | $134.23 | $1,633.17 |
| 25 | 149.3 lbs | 1.97 tons | 23.95 tons | $335.58 | $4,082.92 |
| 50 | 298.5 lbs | 3.94 tons | 47.91 tons | $671.16 | $8,165.84 |
| 100 | 597.0 lbs | 7.88 tons | 95.81 tons | $1,342.33 | $16,331.68 |
Feeding Rates by Body Weight
The daily amount of grass 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 | 4.2 lbs | 110 lbs | $9.36 |
| 149 lbs | 4.5 lbs | 5.1 lbs | 134 lbs | $11.43 |
| 175 lbs | 5.3 lbs | 6.0 lbs | 158 lbs | $13.42 |
| 201 lbs | 6.0 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 181 lbs | $15.42 |
| 228 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 205 lbs | $17.49 |
Nutritional Analysis: Grass Hay for Sheep
Grass Hay provides 8% crude protein on a dry matter basis, while sheep at maintenance require a minimum of 10% crude protein. This means grass hay falls short of the minimum protein requirement by 2 percentage points. A protein supplement such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or a commercial protein block would be needed to balance the ration.
For energy, grass hay provides 52% TDN compared to the sheep requirement of 55% TDN. Energy supplementation is needed. Adding corn (88% TDN), barley (84% TDN), or a fat supplement (180% TDN) to the ration would address the energy deficit. The amount of supplementation required depends on the magnitude of the shortfall and the animal's production level.
The dry matter content of grass hay is 88%, meaning that for every 100 lbs of as-fed feed, the animal receives 88 lbs of actual dry matter nutrition and 12 lbs of water. At $150 per ton as-fed, the effective cost per ton of dry matter is $170. 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 grass 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 grass hay works for other species.
Livestock Feed and Supplies
Quality feeds, supplements, and equipment for your operation.
Some links above are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.