Ovine

Question 1

Why are sheep becoming popular?

Answer 1

Ease of management, rapid return of investment, inc stocking density, broader foraging, demand in ethnic food

Question 2

What is the difference btw lamb and mutton?

Answer 2

Lamb = immature
Mutton = matture

Question 3

At what weight are lambs finished?

Answer 3

80lbs = ethnic market
135lbs = conventional market

Question 4

Describe the difference between fleece and clip

Answer 4

Fleece = 1 sheep
Clip = many sheep

Question 5

Describe the dariy industry in sheep

Answer 5

Richer in fat/protein than goat or cow milk - ideal for cheese
a milking “season” do not cycle year round like cattle
lambs weaned shortly after birth or left with ewe
milk frozen for later use

Question 6

What are some general behaviour with sheep?

Answer 6

strong flocking instincts - flight and freeze rather than fight

NEVER house in isolation - must be insight of others via pictures of sheep or mirrors

Ewes and rambs can be aggressive

Question 7

What are some enviroments sheep are good in?

Answer 7

tolerant of mant

need shelter/feed in winter
Shorn and shade in summer

Question 8

What are some important things to know about sheep nutrition?

Answer 8

Pregnancy toxemia - energy dense feed in late term pregnancy
Copper sensitive - do NOT allow access to cattle salt/mineral licks

Water most important! Monitor surface water for sulphate/algae blooms

never fed snow alone

Question 9

What are some travel restrictions for sheep?

Answer 9

Same regulations as cattle
36 hrs w/o FWR, unload 8 hrs w/ access to feed/water

Question 10

What are some reproduction facts about sheep? Some traits?

Answer 10

Naturally fecund - highly fertile
Short day breeders - come into estrus in fall
traits - easy lambers, maternal instinct, multiple conception, sperm quality, libido

Question 11

Describe rams 2nd sex chara, penis type

Answer 11

Proven pedigree, sound limbs and feet, twin, libido, semen quality - breeding soundness exam and libido influenced by semen
2nd sex chara - well developed musculature, thick neck, enlarged head, deep vocals
fibroelastic penis
unpredictable ( do NOT allow imprinting of ram lambs)

Question 12

Describe reproduction in ewes

Answer 12

estrous is 17 d
estrus is 30 hr - do not demonstrate heat. Only detected by ram or via gomer ram

body condition is important

Question 13

Are sheeps long/short duration breeders?

Answer 13

short duration

Question 14

Describe natural breeding in sheep

Answer 14

ram:ewe ratio = 1:50 in 35 days

Question 15

Describe Ai breeding

Answer 15

common in purebred herds, access to superior genetics

ewes estrus synced w/ hormones and light deprivation, estrus detected by comber ram
intracervcal or laparoscopic insemination

Question 16

Describe ewe pregnancy

Answer 16

gestation 147 d
Cotyledonary placentation
minimal transfer of maternal antibodies to fetus
twin conception desirable
freemartin effect uncommon

Question 17

What are the stages of sheep parturition?

Answer 17

Similar to that of cattle

Question 18

What are some dystocia issues, how common?

Answer 18

relatively common
“ring womb” - incompletely dilated cervix, tx by c-section

Question 19

Describ the neonate period

Answer 19

lambs must consume colostrum 5% of their bodyweight <6hrs of life (8oz for average lamb)

20% of lamb die in 1st 2wks w/o intervention b/c of mismothering, hypothermia, ompthalophlebitis, pneumonia, diarrhea

Question 20

How do you iD sheep?

Answer 20

Dangle tags
RFID tags
Clips

Canadian Sheep ID program

Question 21

How do you safely handle sheep?

Answer 21

low stress handling
NEVER grab by wool or chase for prolonged periods (capture myopathy)
Herding dogs only if sheep are familiar with them
Will bond and follow handlerHow

Question 22

Common ways to restrain sheep

Answer 22

raceways if many sheep
or tipping for individuals

Question 23

What are some routine invasive procedures

Answer 23

Castration - rubber ring, burdizzo, surgical
Tail docking - hot iron, rubber ring - past tail fold
AI - surgical
Crutching - prevent fly strike
Shearing -stressful

Question 24

What are some common PE things to look at?

Answer 24

Cardiovascular, GI, MM (FAMACHA score), digital pulses, temp, feces/urine, udders

Question 25

What are some health and dz things the affects sheep?

Answer 25

parasitism - anthelmintic resistance, Haemonchus contortus (barberpole worm), strategic deworming (FAMACHA score, maintain refugia)
Predation by coyotes, bears, dogs, wolves, owls, eagles
protect by predator fencing, guardian animals, frightening devices, dispose of deadstock

Question 26

What are some withdrawal times for sheep?

Answer 26

not many drugs or vx approved for use in sheep - extra labels

Question 27

What are some zoonoses to worry about in sheep?

Answer 27

neurologic - rabies, listeriosis
Skin - Dermatophytosis (ringworm), contagious ecthma (orf)
Abortion - many infection causes, never handle if pregnant, never work on sheep herds w/ endemic abortion infections (ex chlamydia)

Question 28

How do you euth a sheep?

Answer 28

lethal dose of barbituates - burial or rendering

gunshot to brain, penetrating captive bolt
stunned prior to exsanguination

Ritual slaughter (not stunned, cut all 4 vessels