Sheep Flashcards
Define lamb
Immature male or female
Define ewe
Mature female
Yearling ewe
Immature female
Define Ewe lamb
Female lamb
Define ram
Intact male
Define wether
Castrated male
Define whether lamb
Castrated neonate
Define groomer
Vasectomized male
True or false
Sheep are very susceptible to respiratory infections
True
What is wool biting an indication of
Insufficient space
True or false
Full fleeced sheep need more room than sheared sheep
True
Sheep are very social animals, any isolation from their flock should be done in a manner
Where they can still see their flock or have mirrors to reduce stress
Why should all sheep have the ability to eat and drink at the same time
To prevent dominant sheep from preventing lower sheep from eating/drinking
What are some uses for sheep
Wool (clothing etc)
Meat
Milk
Medical research
When should shearing be done and how much should you leave behind
Annually
Leave behind 2-3 c/m of wool to protect from weather
In what ways are sheep used for medical research
Good models for human pregnancy Fetal development Effects of alcohol on fetal growth/retardation Cardiovascular system Valve and joint replacement Facial recognition
When are females classified as ewes
6-9 months of age when they are mature
Describe the estrus cycles and breeding of a ewe
Seasonally polyestrus
Estrus cycles happen every 13-19 days and last 18-48 hours (average 30)
Can start breeding at 6-12 month of age
Gestation is 149 days
Typically birth from January to may
Litter sizes are 1-3 (triplets and twins more common than singletons)
Natural breeding often done in august to January (can also be with AI)
Early lambing is more difficult but what does it help
Helps grow lambs that are big enough to be eaten at Easter (higher price)
What is crutching
Done before lambing
When the areas around the vulva and udder are shaved to remove dirty wool and so the area can be monitored for swelling after parturition
Ewes that are lambing or have lambs should have a separate area, these groups should not exceed __ sheep
12 sheep
Must have sufficient room for lambs and ewe to interact
How long do ewes/lambs spend in separate stalls
12-48 hours but will increase with first time lambing and ewes with multiple lambs
Lambs usually stay with their mothers for
2-4 months
What are the 3 stages of birth
1: (1-4 hours) when contractions begin and ewe becomes restless. May separate from flock and urinate frequently
2: (1-3 hours) 95% of births occur in anterior “head diving” presentation with head and front legs appearing first
3: (2-3 hours or up to 6)
