Sheep Husbandry Overview Flashcards
How long is the gestation period for a sheep?
147 days
5 months
When do you scan a pregnant ewe?
60-80 days
At what age are rams considered mature? What disease are they tested for
3
Scrapies
What is a disadvantage of having a shearling ewe?
Less lambs Less experienced 50% conception rate Worse mothers Need higher nutrition Need to change rams to prevent inbreeding
How many rams are needed per ewe?
1:50
How long are teaser rams kept in for? What do they do?
No more than 17 days
Bring ewes in to season, good for shearling
What is a teaser ram?
A ram which has had a vasectomy
What is different about the vaccine for orf? Why would you only use it on farms where orf is an issue? Where do you give the vaccine?
It is a live vaccine
Under the armpit — cant lick it
What are two examples of abortion diseases?
Toxoplasmosis
Enzootic abortion
What is used to treat enzootic abortion?
Oxytetrocylcin
How much concentrates does a heavily in lamb ewe need per day? What BCS should they have?
1kg, BCS 3
How much water does each sheep need per day?
4-5L
Between weaning and tupping, a shearling needs to increase it’s BCS by what?
1.5
What are the adv/disadvantages of turning out ewes and lambs outside at 2/3 days?
Hypothermia Mismothering Predation More space Less supervision
Hepatavac is a vaccination against what type of diseases?
Clostridial e.g. foot rot
Why are tails docked?
To prevent fly strike
(However research shows little effects(
What are the advantages of a texel?
Larger, heavier
Better meat bread
At what age are lambs sent to slaughter?
6-8 months
Why are lambs not tailed/castrated within first 24 hrs of life?
Time to drink colostrum
When taking a triplet off a ewe to give to a single lamb mother, which one do you pick and why?
Largest - competing against an only lamb
What are the advantages and disadvantages of rotational grazing with pregnant ewes?
More grass yield
Stress
More fences needed
Less parasites
