High Octane Depth Charge

Overview

Depth Charge is Purina’s fiber-based fill supplement targeting lower body volume and rib shape. It uses multiple sources of highly digestible fiber that linger in the digestive tract and slowly expand the lower gut, creating visible rib depth and lower-third fill. High palatability from added flavoring helps maintain intake during limit-feeding situations — exactly when fill can be hardest to maintain. No added copper — safe for sheep. Depth Charge is a precision tool, not a default: beet pulp should do most fill work first, and Depth Charge is added only when beet pulp alone isn’t producing enough rib shape.

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Manufacturer Specifications

Guaranteed Analysis

Nutrient	Amount
Crude Protein (min)	9.00%
Lysine (min)	0.40%
Crude Fat (min)	1.50%
Crude Fiber (max)	25.00%
Acid Detergent Fiber (max)	32.00%
Calcium (min/max)	0.80–1.30%
Phosphorus (min)	0.35%
Sodium (max)	0.51%

Key Ingredients / Active Components

Ingredient	Role
Roughage Products (37.5%)	Primary fiber source — the core fill and expansion driver
Processed Grain By-Products	Digestible energy and fiber carrier
Molasses Products	Palatability — critical for maintaining intake during limit feeding
Yeast Culture	Rumen health and fiber fermentation support
Natural and Artificial Flavors	Proprietary palatability agent — drives intake when feed volumes are restricted
Calcium Carbonate	Calcium supplementation
Amorphous Silicon Dioxide	Anti-caking agent
Propylene Glycol	Energy substrate and anti-bloat function
Mineral Oil	Lubricant and dust suppressant
Ruminant meat and bone meal free	Confirmed safe for all ruminant species including sheep

Official Feeding Rate

• Rate: 4–8 oz/day for sheep/lambs
• Introduction: Start at half the minimum daily rate (2 oz/day). Increase by the same amount every 5-7 days.
• Species notes: Labeled for cattle, pigs, lambs, and goats

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Show Circuit Use

Sources: Reference show program documentation, retailer education articles

How Experienced Feeders Actually Use It

Depth Charge is introduced only when beet pulp isn’t doing the job on its own — specifically when rib shape and lower-third expansion are still flat despite a solid beet pulp program. Feeders treat it as a precision upgrade, not a default addition. The high palatability from added flavoring is specifically valuable during limit feeding situations close to the show when lambs may be on reduced rations — Depth Charge keeps them eating and helps maintain fill even when total feed volume is restricted. Many competitive feeders run beet pulp as the primary fill driver through most of the program and reserve Depth Charge for the final 3-4 weeks as a precision tool.

Real-World Feeding Rate

• Typical rate: 4 oz/day introduction, building to 6-8 oz/day over 7-10 days
• Introduction timeline: Slow ramp — start at 2 oz/day, add 2 oz every 5-7 days

Common Deviations from Label

Most show feeders do not push Depth Charge above 8 oz/day for sheep even though the label allows it — at higher rates, fill can become excessive and cause a round, bloated appearance rather than desirable rib depth.

Breed-Specific Notes

Particularly valuable for breeds where deep, tubular lower bodies are a key judging criterion. Dorset, Club Lambs, and Suffolk all benefit from good lower-third expansion. Less critical for shorter-bodied breeds.

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Phase Protocols

Weeks 5–3 | Fill & Shaping Phase

• Rate: Start 2 oz/day → build to 4–6 oz/day over 7–10 days
• Purpose: Begin fill augmentation when beet pulp alone isn’t producing rib shape

Weeks 2–1 | Final Prep Phase

• Rate: 6–8 oz/day — hold steady
• Purpose: Maintain rib shape and lower body fill heading into show week

Show Week (Days 5–1)

• Rate: 6–8 oz/day — hold steady, no changes
• Purpose: Maintain fill for the ring; paired with CMP drench for show-day fill management

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Stacking Protocols

Depth Charge + beet pulp: Most common combination. Beet pulp handles the bulk of the fill work; Depth Charge adds rib shape precision. Introduced after beet pulp is already established.

Depth Charge + Ultra Full: A common two-stage fill system. Depth Charge drives rib shape; Ultra Full addresses flank depth once rib shape is resolved. Add Depth Charge first — Ultra Full is the last fill product added.

Depth Charge + soybean hulls: Soybean hulls handle fill maintenance without energy; Depth Charge handles shape. These are compatible and often run together in the final 3 weeks.

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Budget Alternatives

• Beet pulp (shredded, dried): handles most lower-body fill work at a fraction of the cost. Should always be tried first.
• Soybean hulls: maintains fill without energy load; lower cost than Depth Charge
• Most lambs on a solid beet pulp + soybean hulls program will not need Depth Charge

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Community Tips

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