A successful lamb finishing program starts long before lambs reach their final ration. Good induction is essential for maintaining rumen health, establishing consistent feed intake and maximising growth rates.
Cutting corners during induction can result in digestive upsets, poor feed conversion and a higher cost of gain during the entire feeding program.
Why Induction Matters
The transition from pasture to a high-energy feedlot ration is a significant dietary change for lambs.
The rumen relies on billions of microorganisms to digest feed. When lambs move from a predominantly roughage-based diet to a higher energy ration, these microorganisms need time to adapt.
Introducing a high energy ration too quickly can reduce rumen pH and in severe cases increase lactic acid producion, increasing the risk of acidosis, reduced appetite, scouring and, in severe cases, mortality.
Think of induction as training the rumen. A gradual transition allows lambs to adapt safely and efficiently to their finishing ration.
Five Keys to Successful Induction
1. Start With Lambs That Know How to Eat
Lambs previously exposed to the feedlot ration before entry generally have improved intakes on entry into the feedlot system.
If you have bred lambs, Imprint feeding before weaning can familiarise lambs with feed and feeding equipment, reducing the number of shy feeders during induction.
For trade lambs, exposing them to water and roughage after transport is essential to get the rumen functioning after time off feed.
Monitor lambs closely during the first week to ensure all animals are establishing consistent intake.
2. Increase Grain Gradually
A structured step-up feeding program allows rumen microorganisms and the rumen lining to adapt to increasing dietary energy levels, reducing the risk of digestive upsets.
For lambs unfamiliar with high-energy diets, allow approximately 14–21 days for a gradual transition, depending on previous feeding history, ration composition and feed type.
Reid Stockfeeds offers a lower-energy starter ration to support induction, providing a more gradual transition onto a high-energy grower ration.
Providing roughage ad-lib during induction also helps establish a fibre mat in the rumen, supporting rumen function and helping moderate the passage and fermentation of high-energy feeds. Roughage should be good quality and palatable, but not so high in nutritional value that lambs preferentially consume it over their formulated ration, potentially compromising energy intake and growth.
Don’t progress through induction simply because the calendar says it’s time. Let the lambs tell you when they’re ready, and monitor the pens at the same time each day.
3. Get the Nutritional Balance Right
A well-balanced grower ration is essential for maximising growth rates and feed conversion efficiency. Adequate high-quality protein supports muscle development, while energy must be balanced to meet growth targets without compromising rumen health.
Rumen buffers can help manage rumen acidity and reduce the risk of digestive upsets associated with high-energy diets, but do not replace good induction management.
Minerals and trace elements are equally important for growth, immunity and metabolic function. Particular attention should be given to calcium-to-phosphorus balance to reduce the risk of urinary calculi, especially in male lambs.
Whether feeding a grain-based or pelleted ration, nutritional balance is key to achieving efficient and economical liveweight gain.
4. Provide Adequate Feeder Space
Feedlot design is just as important as nutrition. Inadequate feeder space increases competition and the risk of shy feeders, resulting in inconsistent feed intake and reduced growth performance.
For trough feeding systems, allow at least 15 cm per head with double-sided access or 30 cm per head with single-sided access. Where feed is available for more than 15 hours per day, such as in self-feeding systems, approximately 5 cm per head may be sufficient once lambs are accustomed to their grower ration.
Recommended stocking densities for finishing lambs in confinement systems generally range from 2–5 m² per head, depending on facility design and management.
Maintain consistent feeding times, ensure even feed distribution and minimise competition to encourage uniform intake across the mob.
5. Monitor Feed Intake and Lamb Behaviour
Consistent intake is one of the best indicators of successful induction.
Monitor appetite, manure consistency, rumination and feeding behaviour at the same time each day. Watch for shy feeders, scouring, bloating or sudden reductions in intake.
Early identification of problems can prevent significant production losses.
Cost of Gain: The Real Measure of Feedlot Efficiency
The cheapest feed doesn’t necessarily produce the cheapest kilogram of liveweight gain.
Feed cost of gain ($/kg) = Feed conversion ratio × Feed cost ($/kg)
Consider two groups consuming a ration costing $500/tonne:
| Performance measure | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Feed conversion ratio | 5:1 | 7:1 |
| Feed cost/kg liveweight gain | $2.50 | $3.50 |
| Feed cost for 15 kg gain | $37.50 | $52.50 |
That’s an additional $15.00 per lamb, or $15,000 across 1,000 lambs, simply from poorer feed conversion.
Poor induction, inconsistent intake and unmanaged animal health challenges can all increase cost of gain and reduce profitability.
Don’t Overlook Animal Health
Feedlots can provide ideal conditions for disease transmission due to high stocking densities, close animal contact and environmental contamination. Two important pre-entry considerations are:
Clostridial vaccination: Pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia) is one of the most common clostridial disease risks in lamb feedlots, particularly when transitioning onto high-energy rations. Review vaccination histories and administer a booster where required before entry, allowing sufficient time for immunity to develop.
Internal parasites: Worm burdens can significantly reduce growth rates and feed conversion efficiency. Conduct a worm egg count (WEC) or implement an effective drenching program. For introduced lambs, a quarantine drench should contain at least four unrelated active ingredients, including monepantel and/or derquantel, in accordance with WormBoss recommendations and known drench efficacy.
Every kilogram of feed should contribute to growth, not compensate for preventable animal health problems.
Start Right, Finish Strong
Successful lamb finishing isn’t just about feeding a high-performance ration. It’s about preparing lambs to utilise it efficiently.
At Reid Stockfeeds, we understand the importance of combining sound nutritional management with quality feed products to support consistent lamb performance.
A few extra days getting induction right can save weeks of lost performance later.
Contact the Reid Stockfeeds team to discuss the most suitable feeding and induction program for your lamb finishing operation.
References and Further Reading
- Agriculture Victoria — Grain feeding and sheep health.
- Meat & Livestock Australia — Lamb finishing and feedlot management.
- WormBoss — Worm control and drench resistance.
- Reid Stockfeeds — Lamb feeding products and nutritional advice.
For more information read our induction checklists or speak to our experts on 1300 REID FEED or enquire here >
Author
Jess Revell
South West Account Manager
