Creep Feed For Small Stock: Distinguish Between Lambs And Kids

The difference between creep feed for lambs and kids is substantial, says Dewald Vosloo, nutrition consultant and managing director of Saamstaan Voere in Vrede.

- Izak Hofmeyr

This distinction is mainly due to the differences in the rumen of sheep and goats. However, other fundamental differences exist that contribute to their respective creep feed requirements.

Feeding habits differ

“Firstly, we need to look at the different feeding habits of goats and sheep. Sheep graze downwards from where their gaze rests, whereas goats graze from eye level upwards. It is the reason for goats’ sensitivity to internal parasites when they are left to graze short grassland. There are virtually no parasites at their natural feeding height. Sheep, on the other hand, are adapted to short grass and therefore are more accustomed to parasitic exposure.”

Sheep were developed in Europe and, through years of adaption, can make excellent use of small grains. Goats, on the other hand, originated in the northern parts of Africa and Asia, where they evolved to make excellent use of fibrous plants. Goats are therefore well equipped to digest fibre, while sheep do the same with grain.

“Because goats are grain sensitive, you cannot include warm grain pellets in your creep feed ration as you do with sheep. Lambs are excellent utilisers of creep feed pellets, which contain almost no fibre. Kids need a creep feed pellet that is high in fibre to stimulate optimal rumen development, without high grain levels burning the rumen. This is the main difference between creep feed diets for lambs and kids.”

Creep feed management system