Yes, sheep can eat watermelon, but it should be given in small quantities. When offered watermelon, sheep will try to eat them, but they do not like them as regular food.
Preference for the watery fruit varies from one sheep to another. For example, some sheep enjoy eating watermelon on a hot day, while others prefer to cool their tongues with water instead.
Most people will enjoy a cool slice of watermelon on a particularly humid day, and they are nourishing for human beings. However, nutritionally, watermelon does not add value to the sheep, but it quenches their thirst during hot summer days.
Will sheep benefit from eating watermelon?
If it is readily available, sheep of all ages will eat some watermelon, including the seeds. Wash and cut them up into small chewable pieces before feeding the sheep.
Watermelon has a good amount of water content, which benefits sheep for hydration. It also contains acceptable amounts of Vitamin C and A but should not replace nutritional supplements.
Watermelon contains healthy nutrients that can highly benefit your sheep. They include:
- Amino acids help sheep build their protein levels for optimal body functions. For example, the white part near the rind contains the essential amino acids.
- Lycopene in watermelon is plenty in the red pigment of the flesh. It is a potent antioxidant that carries anti-inflammatory properties.
- Beta-carotene is present in ripe watermelons and helps improve the sheep’s immune system.
- Watermelon seeds are highly nutritious. They contain healthy fats, Vitamin B, magnesium, and protein. Additionally, watermelon contains fiber, which promotes digestion in sheep.
- The water content in watermelon is high in electrolytes, which helps prevent sheep from suffering heat exhaustion during hot and dry months. Generally, sheep require about 1.5 gallons of water every day. However, when ewes are lactating or pregnant, they need more water. Therefore, the intake per sheep can increase when the weather temperatures are higher, ensuring they get a daily minimum of 10% of their body weight.
However, studies prove that sheep can only handle a limited amount of watermelon per feed. The maximum amount of watermelon that sheep can eat in one feeding is about 4 pounds.
Any amounts beyond that can cause stomach upset and diarrhea due to an excess of potassium and lycopene. Watermelon also contains a lot of sugar, which the sheep do not require in high quantities.
Do sheep eat watermelon rind?
Watermelon rinds are the green tough outer layers of the fruit that fade to white on the inside. So, can sheep eat the watermelon rinds? Are they safe? The good news is that watermelon rinds are entirely safe and edible for your sheep.
In addition, watermelon rinds are an excellent source of fiber for sheep, adding to their daily roughage requirements.
According to scientists, watermelon rinds contain the highest amount of Vitamin A and C in the fruit. In addition, magnesium and potassium are also plenty in the rinds.
Is processed watermelon safe for sheep to eat?
Like the whole watermelon, pre-packed watermelon is safe for sheep to eat, as long as it contains no preservatives. Stores package the fruit for easy storage, so ensure you pick the freshest cuts if you cannot access the whole fruit. You can feed your sheep the processed watermelon on alternate days and observe if they have a preference for either.
How to prepare watermelon before feeding your sheep
Sheep can enjoy watermelon as part of their diet. However, fruit intake should, however, not replace their primary food source, pasture. Instead, introduce watermelon to their diets at small intervals to observe their digestive response.
Here are ways to prepare these sweet treats for sheep to supplement their regular diet. They include:
- For the watermelon rinds, wash them thoroughly and chop them into small pieces for easy chewing. If the lambs find them tough to chew even after slicing, boil them for a few minutes to soften the hard outer skin. Ensure you do not over-boil, as this will kill all the healthy nutrients. Let them cool first before feeding the sheep.
- The fleshy part of the watermelon and seeds is best consumed raw. Shred into large pieces and feed the sheep in small portions to prevent overfeeding them with sweet treats.
- Blend the watermelon and add clean water to make a refreshing drink for the sheep on a hot day.
Although watermelon is a healthy snack for sheep, remember to feed it to them in controlled portions to avoid health-related complications.
Types of watermelon that sheep can safely eat
Watermelon comes in different varieties, and they are safe to feed your sheep in small portions. However, sheep owners prefer seeded watermelons as they are easier to grow, and the seeds pack a wealth of nutrition.
However, seedless watermelon contains a higher amount of sugar, and thus one should feed the sheep in even smaller quantities. They are also costlier than the seeded variety. A factor sheep owners consider when purchasing these sweet treats.
Orange or yellow-colored watermelons are equally nutritious, despite their unusual color. Therefore, it is safe to feed this unique watermelon variety to your sheep if readily available.
As long as your sheep love the taste and there is no adverse effect on their digestion or overall health, offer the mouth-watering fruit in the easily accessible variety.
Conclusion
For your sheep to grow healthy and productive, it is vital to feed the right kind and amount of food they require daily. According to the sheep extension program, a healthy and balanced diet for sheep comprises green grass or hay, grain, minerals, and clean water.
Like humans, sheep can safely eat watermelon and other fruits as healthy treats. However, they can only handle small quantities as their digestive system processes hay or grass best.
Therefore, to ensure your flock is healthy, monitor their intake of these delicious treats and only dietary extras to prevent health-related severe complications.
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