Nutrena Country Feeds Sheep Feed is a pelleted, all-purpose formula designed to support sheep across multiple life stages, from lambs through adults. It covers daily nutritional needs with added vitamins and minerals, and includes Bovatec for coccidiosis prevention.
The copper-free composition makes it appropriate for sheep specifically, since copper toxicity is a real concern with feeds formulated for other livestock. This is a straightforward maintenance and growth feed, not a specialized finishing or show ration.
Specifications
-
Form: Pelleted
-
Species: Sheep (all breeds)
-
Life Stages: All stages (lamb through adult)
-
Copper: No added copper
-
Medication: Bovatec (lasalocid) for coccidiosis prevention
-
Nutritional Profile: Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
-
Use Case: All-purpose daily feeding for mixed flocks
Is This Feed Right for Your Flock Setup?
If you're managing a mixed-age sheep operation and want a single feed that works across your flock without requiring separate rations for lambs and adults, this formula is worth considering.
The copper-free formulation is a deliberate choice, not an oversight. Sheep process copper differently than goats or cattle, and feeding a copper-supplemented feed to sheep over time carries real toxicity risk.
The inclusion of Bovatec adds a layer of protection against coccidiosis, which is particularly relevant if you're raising lambs or keeping animals in close quarters where protozoan pressure tends to be higher. This is a pelleted feed, so intake tends to be more consistent and waste lower compared to loose or textured mixes.
What to Expect from the Nutrena Country Feeds Sheep Feed in Real Use
The pelleted format encourages even intake across the flock, which helps when you're trying to maintain consistent body condition without animals sorting through a textured mix.
The copper-free formulation gives you confidence feeding this alongside goats if your operation runs mixed livestock, though you'll want to confirm your goats are getting copper supplementation elsewhere. Bovatec provides meaningful coccidiosis prevention, particularly during high-stress periods like weaning or when introducing new animals to an existing group.
The all-purpose design means you're not juggling multiple feed types for different production stages, which simplifies inventory and daily chores on smaller operations.
Palatability is noted as a strength of the pelleted format, with sheep generally eating consistently rather than refusing or wasting. This is a maintenance and growth feed at its core, and works best when forage quality is also being managed rather than relying on concentrate alone.
Real-world performance notes sourced in part from verified Amazon customer purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you feed Nutrena Country Feeds Sheep Feed to goats?
You can, but with an important caveat. This feed contains no added copper, which makes it safe for sheep but means goats fed this exclusively may become copper deficient over time.
Goats have higher copper requirements than sheep. If your operation runs both species together, you would need to supplement copper for your goats separately, either through a goat-specific mineral or loose copper sulfate. Do not assume a copper-free sheep feed meets goat nutritional requirements.
What does Bovatec do and is it safe for all sheep?
Bovatec is the trade name for lasalocid, an ionophore that prevents coccidiosis by inhibiting the protozoan parasites responsible for the disease. It is included at a level appropriate for sheep and is considered safe for that species at the labeled rate.
Bovatec is not safe for horses or other equines, so if horses have access to your sheep feeding area, that exposure needs to be prevented. Always follow the feeding directions on the label for animals at different life stages.
Does this feed replace loose minerals for sheep?
This feed is fortified with vitamins and minerals, but it is not necessarily a complete substitute for a free-choice loose mineral program depending on your forage situation and regional soil deficiencies.
Selenium levels in particular vary by region, and some producers will still offer a loose mineral supplement alongside a fortified feed to ensure animals hit their targets. Review the guaranteed analysis on the bag against your flock's known nutritional gaps and consult a nutritionist or your extension office if you're managing a larger or more specialized operation.
