Sheep Feed Calculator: Calculate Daily Hay and Concentrate Requirements
Calculate daily feed requirements for sheep at any production stage — from dry ewes and rams through to late pregnancy and lactating ewes — including both hay and concentrate.
Use this tool
Sheep Feed Calculator
Overview
Feeding sheep correctly throughout the production cycle is one of the most important factors in ewe health and lamb performance. Underfeeding in late pregnancy leads to twin lamb disease; overfeeding leads to overfat ewes and difficult lambings. The Sheep Feed Calculator takes the guesswork out of rationing by calculating the hay and concentrate requirements for your flock at any stage of production.
Key Features
Six production stages are covered: dry ewe maintenance, flushing (pre-tupping), early pregnancy (first ten weeks), late pregnancy (final six weeks), lactation with one lamb, and lactation with twins. Each stage has different energy and protein requirements reflected in the hay and concentrate ratios.
Inputs include flock size, ewe live weight, hay quality (good, average, or poor), and the number of weeks remaining in the current stage. Outputs show daily hay and concentrate per ewe, total daily amounts for the flock, and a total winter feed budget in kilograms and bales.
Data Sources & Methodology
Nutrient requirements are based on AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) sheep feeding recommendations and SAC Consulting sheep nutrition guidelines. Hay dry matter content is assumed at 85% for average hay; metabolisable energy values are based on standard UK meadow hay quality gradings.
How to Use
Select the production stage your flock is currently at. Enter the number of ewes, their average live weight, and the quality of hay you have available. Enter the number of weeks remaining in this stage. The calculator will show daily rations and a total feed budget for the period. Run the calculator separately for each stage of the production cycle to build a complete annual feed plan.