Sheep Management
Introduction to Agriculture March 1999
Vocabulary
Ewe
–
female sheep
Ram
–
male used for breeding
Wether
–
castrated male
Vocabulary - cont.
Fleece
–
wool
Wool blindness
–
condition of wool covering face
Sheep Information
Puberty -- reached at 5 - 7 mos. Estrus period -- 30 - 35 hrs. Estrus cycle -- 16 days
Gestation -- 150 days
Sheep Management
Breed as yearling 5-6 years breeding life
Breeding Season & Management
Shorter days & cooler weather
Flushing -- increase protein to stimulate ovulation Shear dock
Care of Ram
Marking Harness -- change every 16 days Shear all over -- belly & chest 1 ram / 20-30 ewes
Lambing Management
Signs of Lambing
– – –
vulva swells udder swells - milk 12 - 24 hours Sink in hips 24 - 48 hours Clean Draft free Watch closely
Lambing Pen
– – –
Lambing Management
Born -- Lamb Dry lamb Remove mucus Colostrum Cut cord Heat lamp
Processing Lambs
3 days of age Dock tail Injections
– –
Iron Vitamin E -- prevent white muscle
Castrate ~ 1 week