The above-ground parts of forage rape were collected,weighed and dried to measure the general nutritional ingredients at the seedling,bolting and flowering stages. Forage rape were harvested at the end of the flowering stage and ensiled to produce fermented total mixed ration (FTMR). Two hundred 2-month-old Hu sheep were randomly divided into two groups. One group were fed with forage rape FTMR and the other were fed with maize silage TMR. Ten rams were slaughtered to assess carcass characteristics and meat quality after three months. The results showed that the seedling,bolting and flowering period were from 8 to 98 d,99 to 146 d,and 147 to 180 d,respectively. The fresh weight reached the peak at 180 d. The crude protein and fat content increased during forage rape development,reached the top value at 180 d,making the peak harvest value of forage rape at 180 d. The weight gain,dressing percentage,carcass meat rate,backfat thickness,and eye muscle area of rams fed with forage rape FTMR were not different from those fed with maize silage TMR. However,feed conversion ratio (FCR) and profit of the forage rape group was significantly higher than that of the maize silage group. In conclusion,the best harvest time of forage rape was at 180 d in Hubei Province and the forage rape FTMR had no negative effect on growth and carcass characteristics of Hu sheep,and cost lower compared with maize silage TMR. Therefore,the forage rape can be applied in finishing lambs,which is beneficial for relieving stress of shortage feed in winter and reducing feed cost.