ACIDOSIS
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Acidosis is also known as "grain overload". As the common name, grain overload suggests, the condition is a sudden intake of too much grain or concentrate. This high level of grain causes a change in the rumen acidity and bacteria population. The increase in acid causes an imflammation of the rumen wall (rumenitis) and a reduction of bacteria needed to digest fiber.
Symptoms may include:
Depression
Animals off feed
Bloat
Founder (stiffness, or tender feet)
Scours
Occasionally death.
Occasionally lambs develop a thiamine (B vitamin) deficiency (polio) due to the inability of rumen to produce adequate thiamine in the highly acidic environment.`
Bicarbonate of soda can be added to rations or self fed to help buffer the rumen.
Ewes require 1.5 to 2 pounds of forage to maintain healthy rumen function.
Lambs need 1/2 to 1 pound of forage.
From the article Sheep, Grain and Acidosis link is listed below
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