If a lamp consumes 3 pounds of feed per day, about how many pounds of water should he consume?

• A. 4 to 5 lbs
• B. 20 to 30 lbs
• C. 6 to 15 lbs
• D. 1 to 3 lbs

Answer: (C)

Water needs for livestock are closely tied to how much dry feed they consume; a practical rule of thumb is that water intake runs roughly 2 to 5 pounds of water for every 1 pound of dry feed eaten. This range accounts for digestion, metabolism, and variables like environment, feed moisture, activity, and growth or lactation. With a daily intake of 3 pounds of feed, the lamb would typically drink about 6 to 15 pounds of water. Cooler conditions or drier feed would push toward the lower end, while hot weather or higher activity can push toward the upper end. The other amounts fall outside this common range for daily water needs given such feed intake.