Sheep

Question 1

Define lamb

Answer 1

Immature male or female

Question 2

Define ewe

Answer 2

Mature female

Question 3

Yearling ewe

Answer 3

Immature female

Question 4

Define Ewe lamb

Answer 4

Female lamb

Question 5

Define ram

Answer 5

Intact male

Question 6

Define wether

Answer 6

Castrated male

Question 7

Define whether lamb

Answer 7

Castrated neonate

Question 8

Define groomer

Answer 8

Vasectomized male

Question 9

True or false

Sheep are very susceptible to respiratory infections

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What is wool biting an indication of

Answer 10

Insufficient space

Question 11

True or false

Full fleeced sheep need more room than sheared sheep

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Sheep are very social animals, any isolation from their flock should be done in a manner

Answer 12

Where they can still see their flock or have mirrors to reduce stress

Question 13

Why should all sheep have the ability to eat and drink at the same time

Answer 13

To prevent dominant sheep from preventing lower sheep from eating/drinking

Question 14

What are some uses for sheep

Answer 14

Wool (clothing etc)
Meat
Milk
Medical research

Question 15

When should shearing be done and how much should you leave behind

Answer 15

Annually

Leave behind 2-3 c/m of wool to protect from weather

Question 16

In what ways are sheep used for medical research

Answer 16

Good models for human pregnancy
Fetal development
Effects of alcohol on fetal growth/retardation 
Cardiovascular system 
Valve and joint replacement
Facial recognition

Question 17

When are females classified as ewes

Answer 17

6-9 months of age when they are mature

Question 18

Describe the estrus cycles and breeding of a ewe

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

Early lambing is more difficult but what does it help

Answer 19

Helps grow lambs that are big enough to be eaten at Easter (higher price)

Question 20

What is crutching

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Ewes that are lambing or have lambs should have a separate area, these groups should not exceed __ sheep

Answer 21

12 sheep

Must have sufficient room for lambs and ewe to interact

Question 22

How long do ewes/lambs spend in separate stalls

Answer 22

12-48 hours but will increase with first time lambing and ewes with multiple lambs

Question 23

Lambs usually stay with their mothers for

Answer 23

2-4 months

Question 24

What are the 3 stages of birth

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

When is assistance needed if there is not indication of the fetus

Answer 25

1 hour

Question 26

If the ewe shows no signs of toxemia or septicemia, then no treatment is necessary until ___ hours postpartum

Answer 26

12 hours

Question 27

What is the most crucial part of bonding in sheep

Answer 27

6-12 hours when the ewe licks the lamb

Question 28

What do vaccinations for sheep typically include

Answer 28

Tetanus
Pulpy kidney
Malignant edema

Question 29

How often should sheeps hooves be trimmed

Answer 29

Every 6-10 weeks to avoid pain and discomfort from excessive growth and prevent foot rot

Question 30

True or false

Dystocia is common in lambing

Answer 30

True

Question 31

What are lambs extremely susceptible to in the first 36 hours of life

Answer 31

Hypothermia

Question 32

How long should you observe umbilicus for infection in lambs? (Very susceptible to infection)

Answer 32

2 weeks