The nutrient requirements of sheep and goat differ according to race, age, physiological condition, geographical and climatic conditions. In this regard, these requirements can be indicated as; energy, protein, mineral, vitamin and water.
Energy:
It is the most restrictive factor for sheep and goat feeding. Unqualified forage and roughage can cause insufficient feeding and lack of energy. The main energy sources are grains in feed materials. While kids have some problems in growing, maternal sheep and goat have some problems in milk efficiency and number of eggs.
Protein:
In animal feeding, quantity of protein is more important than quality. Insufficiency of protein, can cause more damages for lamb and yeanling. Its’ basic indicators are regression and decelaration.
Minerals:
While the main minerals for sheep and goat are phosphor and salt, the trace minerals are zinc, selenium and copper. The trace mineral scope of forage can change according to geography, climate and soil structure. Therefore, an alimentation with feed additives is essential. As a result of zinc- poor ration feeding or grazing; some problems are possible to be seen for the animals. In this regard; affusions can be on fleece or animals can try to eat each other’ s fleece.
Forage and roughage feeds which compose the rations of sheep and goat, are insufficient in terms of the salt portion. And under the obsolate circumstances; salt blocks should be used in various parts of the grazing regions.
Selenium and copper are the trace minerals which are very similar to each other in terms of demand and toxic dose. Gum tragacanth plant and excessive usage of it can cause selenium poisoning.
Vitamins:
Because of the fact that; water- soluble vitamins are produced from rumen microorganisms, the deficiencies of oil- soluble A, D and E vitamins are seen.
Water:
Water consumption of sheep and goat are two or four times more than their dry matter consumption. Besides, the rate of water consumption is possible to increase in the lactation period of animals.
