The sheep and lamb trade remains strong, showing no signs of slowing down as we move in 2025. Many farmers are increasingly focused on finishing lambs, driven by the steady and rising pence per kilo. At the time of writing, lamb prices are 59p/kg higher than at this time last year. This makes feeding to finish an attractive strategy; however, careful calculations are essential to ensure the additional cost of feed is offset by improved daily liveweight gain (DLWG), or increased returns per kilo.
With effective management, lamb growth rates can reach 300–350g head/day on finishing systems. Regular handling and weighing of lambs is crucial to monitor both weight and fat cover effectively. When transitioning to a high-concentrate diet, it is important to introduce feed gradually over 10–14 days, increasing the amount of concentrate offered incrementally until lambs are fully on an ad-lib feeding system. Feeders should never be left empty to prevent overeating, which can occur when feed becomes suddenly available after a lapse.
When transitioning to ad-lib concentrates, care must be taken to avoid rapid dietary changes, as this can result in unnecessary losses. Lambs also require a source of structural fibre, which can be provided through grazing or, if housed, access to straw or hay. On a finishing diet, concentrate intakes typically range from 1kg to 3kg per head per day, supporting daily liveweight gains (DLWG) of 150–350g per head. Most lambs on this system will reach finishing weight within 4–6 weeks. Feed conversion rates (FCR) usually fall between 6:1 and 10:1. For example, a lamb with an FCR of 8:1 would require approximately 40kg of concentrate to achieve a 5kg weight gain. Careful monitoring and management of diets and intakes are key to optimising performance and profitability.
Other important factors if housing lambs to finish
Any treatments or vaccinations should also be carried out before any changes in feeding or housing are made, as stress can have an impact on immune response.
- Housing should be airy and draught free at sheep level.
- Do not house wet lambs.
- Clean water must always be available.
- Access to rock salt to encourage water intake.
- Ensure adequate lying space
- Ensure adequate trough space.
Pen and Trough Size Requirements
Ensuring lambs have sufficient space to show natural signs of behaviour along with adequate lying area is essential. This, coupled with plenty of clean bedding, will keep lambs clean and dry. Trough space allowance and maximising dry matter intakes of feed should be a priority. Your system and feed type should dictate your feed trough space per lamb.
Health challenges when housed
- Coccidiosis oocyst numbers can build up around feeders, moving regularly will help to reduce this.
- Check worm egg counts.
- Ensure a compound is fed containing suitable lamb mineral to help prevent urinary calculi.
- Lameness can be a problem, to reduce lameness, move feeders regularly and lime areas around the feeders.
Reduce sudden changes in environment and feeding as this can lead increased health challenges. NWF Agriculture manufacture a comprehensive range of ewe and lamb feeds, suitable for ad-lib feeding; carefully formulated to suit different systems, age of lambs, size of lambs and time to finish. For further information, please speak to your local NWF sales specialist.