Bale grazing with sheep is not a common practice but is a practice we utilize on our ranch.
Our winter means not having fresh grass year round so we face a period of winter feeding. Being without a tractor, putting out feed daily during the winter is not an option for us, so we manage this period by bale grazing on pasture.
What Type of Area to Set Up In
Our sheep do not see a barn even in winter so it is critical to set up the bales in a sheltered area with ample bush or trees to block the prevailing north and west winter winds. Lacking any natural shelter one can use portable wind breaks.
It is to our advantage to set up the bale graze area on a piece of pasture that needs a boost through added manure and hay residue that will be left behind as the animals move.
The third consideration in deciding where to set up is water. During our winter everything is frozen. We make sure the flock can access a heated water bowl but they have to walk to reach it. We have noticed though, that many ewes seem to prefer eating snow, particularly when the snow is fresh.
How We Set Up
Late in the fall we borrow a tractor to move all the bales we'll need for the winter.
The round bales are set on end and in rows. Each bale is set far enough apart from the next to allow for comfortable feeding room.
The rows of bales are seperated by Electra-net. This prevents the flock from roaming and picking at every available bale. It also allows us to hold the sheep on a row until the feed has been cleaned up.
How often we move the Electra-net will vary according to how many bales we place and how often we want to move the netting. Typically we are moving the Electra-net every two weeks.
How It Works
The secret to bale grazing with sheep is to leave the top twines on when they start to feed at a new bale.
The sheep will feed at the bottom of the bale where the twines have been cut and access is easy.
When they have undermined the bale slightly we will cut successive twines off and let the top feed slough off to the ground. The ewes will clean this up while continuing to work on the still standing bale.
Soon all that will remain is a bale core. We tip this core over and roll it out along the snow for the sheep to finish it off and clean up.
Since we are out every day to check our flock and cut twines where needed there is little risk of a bale being undermined and falling on a ewe but this can happen.
Why We Like It
There is always adequate room for animals to eat and several bales to feed at. This eliminates the worry about shy animals not getting feed.
We can keep groups of animals together for feeding which simplifies our chores.
The ewes are always fed, thus maintain good condition. There is no rush of hungry animals at feeding time. The ewes graze as they would during the grass season.
We do not run a tractor to feed.
We do not make straw bales or put out any bedding material as the residue from feeding becomes bedding.
The ewes are fertilizing a piece of pasture for us.
By rotating the areas used for bale grazing we are making use of animal impact to enhance some or our less than prime grassy areas.
Our daily winter chores consist of cutting and collecting bale twines as needed, rolling out cores and walking through the flock doing a visual check.
This method of feeding allows us to control overhead costs. By keeping our costs in line we keep more money in our pocket.
In the spring time there is residue (stalks and material not palatable to the sheep) left on the ground. This material has served as bedding during the winter and over the summer season will decompose. Along with the manure and urine deposited in the area, this will turn into organic and mineral matter for the soil.
Why we don't like it
Bale grazing does not work as well with a smaller flock of animals. A small flock of 40 or 50 head do not seem to clean up as efficiently before starting the next bale. With more animals feeding in one area, ewes do a very decent job of cleaning up all bits of edible feed and waste little.
If you are raising sheep for the sole purpose of quality fleece you will not appreciate bale grazing. Bale grazing will result in heavy chaff in the fleece, especially around the neck area.
Wool blind animals have difficulty with dust and chaff collecting in the fleece around the eyes.
When we put pencil to paper and calculate the payments made on a cheap chore tractor each year, plus maintenance and fuel costs to run it, we are further ahead to bale graze even though there are some pitfalls to it.
Our sheep do not see a barn even in winter so it is critical to set up the bales in a sheltered area with ample bush or trees to block the prevailing north and west winter winds. Lacking any natural shelter one can use portable wind breaks. 
The secret to bale grazing with sheep is to leave the top twines on when they start to feed at a new bale.
In the spring time there is residue (stalks and material not palatable to the sheep) left on the ground. This material has served as bedding during the winter and over the summer season will decompose. Along with the manure and urine deposited in the area, this will turn into organic and mineral matter for the soil.
