SHEEP HANDLING

Question 1

What is the general name of a cross-breed from hardy hill ewe (Cheviot) x longwool ram(Blue-faced Leicester)?
What are their qualities?

Answer 1

Crossbred ewe (Cheviot mule) - good-mothering, hardy and thrifty, prolific milky, larger, faster growth;
Hardy hill ewe - hardy, thrifty, milky, good-mothering;
Longwool ram - prolific, extra milk, large size, fast growth

Mostly for breeding purposes

Question 2

Name the breed from Cheviot mule (crossbred ewe) x Texel ram (terminal sire tup) and state their qualities.

Answer 2

Texel cross - meat lambs for market
Crossing ewe - Good-mothering, prolific, hardy & thrifty, milky, larger
Terminal sire tup - large size, fast growing, meaty

Question 3

What are the ages for eruption of sheep’s permanent teeth? State their in wear age.

Answer 3

Central incisors - 1 yr 3 m
Second incisors - 1 yr 9 m
Third incisors - 2 yrs 3 m
Fourth incisors - 2 yrs 9 m

In wear age - 3 months after permanent teeth eruption

Question 4

State the estimated of weight in newborn lambs.

Answer 4

Single lamb: 6-8kg
Twin lamb: 5-6kg
triplet: 3-4kg

Question 5

Prime lambs (fat lambs) are selected for market when what conditions are met?

Answer 5

Weight: 40kg

Condition score: 4

Question 6

State the estimated weight and age of Cheviot mule ewe lamb replacement in the autumn.

Answer 6

Around 6 months old and weigh 45-50kg

Question 7

State the estimated weight of adult Scottish mule ewe.

Answer 7

70-80kg

Question 8

State the estimated weight of adult Suffolk ewe

Answer 8

Around 80-100kg

Question 9

State the estimated weight of adult Suffolk tup.

Answer 9

These will weigh around 100-120kg

Question 10

How many teeth do adult sheep have?

Answer 10

32 teeth;
8 incisors on the lower jaw with a dental pad on the upper jaw for grazing, and 24 molars (12 upper and 12 lower) at the back of the mouth for grinding food

Question 11

State the major ear-tagging requirements.

Answer 11

1. A prime lamb going for slaughter
   
   • A single tag (which must be electronic in Scotland with UK flock number only
2. A ewe lamb being retained on farm for breeding
   
   • Double tagged with flock number and individual number (one must be electronic, on left ear)
3. A breeding ewe that loses a tag (purchased)
   
   • Double tagged with replacement tags or replace both with red tags from current holding

Question 12

In what range of liveweight (kg) would you expect a mature Mule ewe to be?

Answer 12

70-80kg

Question 13

What liveweight (kg) would you expect a mature Suffolk tup (ram) to be?

Answer 13

At least 100 kg (usually between 100-120 kg)

Question 14

What are the most likely reason for the colour marks (red and green) on the eras of sheeps?

Answer 14

Ewes that have been mated

And by changing the colour regularly we get an indication of the order in which the ewes will lamb

Question 15

A Scottish mule ewe is a cross between a Scottish Blackfaced (Sb) ewe and a Bluefaced Leicester ram. What are the desirable breed characteristics that the Scottish Blackface passes on the hybrid mule?

Answer 15

• Hardy

- Good mothering ability

Question 16

Name the Terminal Sires breed.

Answer 16

• Texel
• Suffolk
• Beltex

Question 17

What are the breed characteristics of a Terminal Sire such as the Suffolk?

Answer 17

• Good muscle confirmation
• Larger size
• Fast growing rate

Question 18

What would be the most reliable method of visually identifying the gender of a sheep (especially a young one)

Answer 18

Check under the tail for anus/vulva

Question 19

Why does lambing usually happen in the spring?

Answer 19

So the ewes can benefit from the spring grass during lactation

Question 20

What is the average gestation period of sheep?

Answer 20

147 days

Question 21

How do farmers confirm that the ewes have been mated?

Answer 21

Put colour on the ram’s brisket / chest, so that when he mates an ewe, it leaves a colour on her tail head, so the farmers know these ewes have been mated

Question 22

When are ewes usually ultrasound during gestation?

Answer 22

At 45-90 days gestation;
To detect pregnancy, and to find our how many lambs each ewe’s expecting. The benefit being that the feed can be allocated more efficiently, and make sure every ewe’s nutritional needs are met

Question 23

Give examples of ad lib forage (forage that is available at all times and doesn’t run out)

Answer 23

Conserved grass either as hay, haylage or silage

Question 24

What are the benefits of bringing the ewes into the shed in January?

Answer 24

• Resting the grazing pasture, preventing it getting damage over the winter
• Gives more control of the ewes’ nutrition
• Allows us closer supervision of the ewes at lambing time

Question 25

List the events in order after lambing

Answer 25

• Treat the umbilical cord
  (Dipping or spraying the navel with iodine to help prevent infection entering the lamb’s system)
• Ensure lambs have their first vital feed of colostrum as soon as possible (if the lamb is weak, colostrum is provided through stomach tube)

Question 26

How to achieve 200% of lambing percentage (a target that is rarely met)

Answer 26

For every ewe to leave the shed with 2 healthy lambs

Question 27

When around are lambs weaned?

Answer 27

When they are 4 months of age