Can young lambs eat ALL Stock feed from TSC?

[kuntrygirl]

I purchased some ALL Stock feed from Tractor Supply and on the tag it says that it can be fed to "Mature" Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Goats. What does "mature" mean? What's the age for mature? Can a lamb younger than 1 year old be fed All Stock Feed? The worker at Tractor Supply said yes they can but all of the workers seem to be 18 - 21 yrs of age and I don't trust what they tell me.

 

[turney31]

ok i am no expert but my guess is Yes it is safe for them to eat. I am thinking that what they are refering to "Mature" has everything to do with younger animals requiring more nutrients or vitamins.

Micah

 

[IcarusSomnio]

How old are your lambs, and do you have the nutritional and ingredient information from the stock feed?

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

They can be fed that, but watch out for choking. Our sheep will eat so fast that they choke on any kind of pelleted feed.
We get a mix of chopped corn, crimped oats and barley from a local feed mill that I feed to the sheep.
I would recommend an all-grain feed instead of a pelleted feed, but all stock will work if you feed small amounts and watch them carefully while they eat.

Jean

 

[patandchickens]

Could you post the nutrition analysis info from the bag tag, here? That would help people give you a much more intelligent and correct answer

Also, how MUCH of this would you be feeding, and what ELSE would they be getting (and how much)?

Pat

 

[kuntrygirl]

My lambs age range between 4 - 7 months old. I wanted this to be their sole feed source along with hay, grazing and of course fresh water.

I pulled this up from the TSC store and it explains the age groups:

Ingredients:

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min.) 12.00%,
Crude Fat (min.) 2.50%,
Crude Fiber (max.) 18.00%,
Calcium (Ca) (min.) 1.50%,
Calcium (Ca) (max.) 2.00%,
Phosphorus (P) (min.) .40%,
Salt (NaCl) (min.) 1.50%,
Salt (NaCl) (max.) 2.00%,
Potassium (K) (min.) .70%,
Selenium (Se) (min.) .10 ppm,
Zinc (Zn) (min.) 60.00 ppm,
Vitamin A (min.) 2000 IU/lb,
Ruminant meat and bone meal free.

Feeding instructions:
Recommendations in lbs of feed per head per day preferably spaced over several small meals. Feed along with at least 1% of the animal's body weight in forage (10 lb. hay for a 1000 lb. horse, more if horse is active or not overweight). Cattle, sheep, and goats generally need more forage. Feeding rates may vary with age, size, temperament, health status, climate, forage quality, and activity level. If not feeding sheep, a supplement containing copper is recommended. Always provide fresh, clean water.

Mature maintenance 2.0 to 5.0 (mature horse), 1.0 to 2.5 (mature sheep/goats, 3.0 to 6.0 (mature cattle).
Light work 3.0 to 6.0 (mature horse).

 

[Ashmeade]

Sheep should not have feed with Copper....

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=356569

@ Ashmeade see the above link I have feed on there that says copper in it and for sheep so not too sure about that....it is "all breed" it has feeding instructions for sheep and sheep on the package and I have posted copies of those to the above link.

@ kuntrygirl I thought we addressed this in the above link.....I think I proven they can have it and the stuff your showing is no copper so should be ok for sure.....the dose of copper in the one I posted in the other link is "all breed" and a low dose of copper so I am guessing why it is ok for sheep.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Yea, I am aware. I was just posting because someone asked me to post. I didn't want them to think that I was ignoring their requests.

 

[cmjust0]

@ kuntrygirl I thought we addressed this in the above link.....I think I proven they can have it and the stuff your showing is no copper so should be ok for sure.....the dose of copper in the one I posted in the other link is "all breed" and a low dose of copper so I am guessing why it is ok for sheep.

I'm glad you re-referenced that thread, because I forgot all about it and there was actually something I meant to ask you...

The ingredients are kinda cropped a little on the right side, but I don't see any mention of copper in the ingredient list.. I actually went back to the thread at some point to see if it contained copper oxide or sulfate or chelate or proteinate, etc., since the particular type of copper included may actually make a big difference in whether or not it's safe for sheep...but then I didn't see any mention of copper at all in the ingredients!

I did, however, notice what looks to be a struck-out (whited out?) area next to the "Hydrochloride, " in what I assume is the listing for "Pryidoxine Hydrochloride". Maybe it's just random weirdness, but it looks like the tag was modified because an ingredient was removed...I wonder if it could perhaps have been the copper?

I meant to ask you then, but got sidetracked and never came back to it...

So, is there any mention of copper in the ingredient list at all?​