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How to Build Muscle in Show Goats and Sheep

 

Show sheep in a jacket

Raising sheep and goats can be a rewarding experience - one of my most rewarding experiences to date! To achieve success in the show ring, your animals need the right muscle tone and definition. Let’s dive into some easy and effective ways to help your sheep and goats stand out!


Nutrition: Building Muscle Growth

Proper nutrition is vital for developing muscle in sheep and goats. Here are some tips:

  • High-Quality Forage: Alfalfa is an excellent choice due to its high protein content.

  • Balanced Grain Mix: Incorporate a balanced grain mix with essential carbohydrates and proteins.

  • Clean Water: Always provide clean water, as dehydration can hinder muscle growth and overall health.


When choosing what to feed your sheep and goats for muscle growth, you have a couple of options. You can use commercial sheep feeds that are specifically designed for building muscle. Alternatively, you can create your own feed mix using ingredients like corn, oats or soybean meal. However, if you’re making your own feed, it’s important to consult with a ruminant nutritionist to ensure you’re providing the right nutrients for your animals’ growth.


Additionally, there are supplements available that can boost their diet with extra protein and minerals. Amino acids, vitamins and minerals are essential for muscle development, so make sure to include these in their diet for the best results.


Ralco Show offers nutritional consultations for those raising sheep, goats, swine and cattle. We can also coordinate with local feed mills to supply our fresh feed, ShoMax, conveniently near your location. Contact us to get started.


Finally, ensure your animals’ nutrition is dialed in and well-balanced before starting an exercise regimen. This will promote muscle growth without causing joint stress or developing muscles that are too green or weak for rigorous training.


Show sheep eating feed

Exercise: Goats on a Treadmill?

You may have heard of goat yoga, but what about goats on a treadmill? Yes, it’s a thing!


Using a treadmill can be a fantastic exercise tool for building muscle. Treadmills target unique muscle groups that other exercise tools, like tracks or circle walkers, may not reach as effectively.


Here’s a fun trick: place your animal’s front feet on a stable platform and make them walk backward on the treadmill using only their back feet. This exercise helps shape the hips, hind legs and back, giving your goat or sheep extra width and dimension. Walking forwards on the treadmill is also beneficial for conditioning, making the muscles more visible and prominent. If you don’t have a treadmill, don’t worry! A track or a walker can still help create muscle shape and definition, although it might not be as pronounced as with a treadmill.


Health Checks: Keep Your Animals in Top Condition

Regular health checks are also crucial for your animals to be in their best condition and maximize muscle growth. Here are a few key health checks to monitor:

  • Parasite Control: Parasites can steal nutrients, slowing muscle growth. Regular vet checks for parasites are essential as well as a diligent parasite program.

  • Weight Monitoring: Keep an eye on your animals’ weight. Adjust their diet and exercise based on their weight and body condition. Too light or too heavy can affect muscle development.


The Ultimate Muscle Supplement

One muscle and shape supplement to consider is On Point. This product helps create more cover and mass on top of the animal, which is crucial for that desired muscle mass. With high protein content and low-fat, it helps your animals gain muscle without unwanted bulk.


And an added bonus: On Point can help enhance skin and hair quality, making your animals look young and fresh in the ring!


Incorporating these tips into your routine can help your sheep and goats build the muscle they need to shine in the show ring. Exercise, regular health checks and proper nutrition are key to their success. And don’t forget to consider adding supplements like On Point and fresh, local feed like ShoMax for that extra edge.


Best,

Delaney Barber



On Point Packaging

On Point - Ultimate Muscle & Freshness

On Point is the key to giving your project a fresher, more youthful look while creating more cover and mass on the top side of the skeleton. 




ShoMax feeds

ShoMax Feeds - Show Stock Feeds Simplified

ShoMax is a complete protein-balanced premix that is designed to make building show feeds easy. This pelleted premix does the hard lifting for your diets and is boosted by proprietary Ralco technologies to keep your show animals healthy and on feed in the toughest conditions.




The Journey to the Ring

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