Sheep husbandry
Sheep husbandry is the raising and breeding of
domestic sheep. Sheep
farming is primarily based on raising
lambs for meat, or raising sheep for
wool. Sheep may also be raised for
milk. Some farmers specialize in breeding sheep to sell to other farmers.
Encyclopedia
Sheep husbandry is the raising and breeding of
domestic sheep. Sheep
farming is primarily based on raising
lambs for meat, or raising sheep for
wool. Sheep may also be raised for
milk. Some farmers specialize in breeding sheep to sell to other farmers.
Animal care
Shelter and Environment
Sheep are kept in
flocks — in pens, in a
barn or on
pasture. In cold climates sheep need shelter in the winter. Sheep need shelter from rain for a day before shearing so that the fleece is manageable.
Health Care
Sheep, particularly those kept inside, are vaccinated when they are newborn lambs. Farmers work with animal nutritionists and
veterinarians to keep sheep healthy and to manage animal health problems. Lambs may be
castrated and have their tails shortened for cleanliness and to protect them from biting insects.
Shearers or farmers need to remove wool from the hindquartes, around the
anus, so that
droppings do not adhere. In the southern hemisphere this is called
dagging or crutching.
Water, Food and Air
Sheep need fresh water from troughs or ponds, except that in some countries, such as New Zealand, there is enough moisture in the grass to satisfy them much of the time.
Upon being weaned from
ewe's milk, they eat hay, grains and grasses. Sheep are active grazers where such feed is available at ground or low levels. They are usually given feed twice a day from troughs or they are allowed to graze in a pasture.
Sheep are most comfortable when the temperature is moderate, so fans may be needed for fresh air if sheep are kept in
barns during hot weather. In Australia, sheep in pasture are often subjected to 40 °C , and higher, daytime temperatures without deleterious effects. In New Zealand sheep are kept on pasture in snow for periods of 3 or 4 days before they have to have supplemental feeding.
Management of flocks
A sheep farmer is concerned with keeping the correct ratio of male to female sheep, selecting traits for breeding, and controlling under-/over-breeding based on the size and genetic diversity of the flock. Other tasks include
sheep shearing, crutching and lambing the sheep.
Sheep breeders look for such traits in their flocks as high
wool quality, consistent muscle development, quick conception rate , multiple births and quick physical development.
Another concern of a sheep farmer is the protection of
livestock. Sheep have many natural enemies, such as
coyotes ,
foxes ,
dingoes ,
keas and
dogs.
Sheep may be kept in a fenced-in field or paddock. The farmer must ensure that the fences are maintained in order to prevent the sheep from wandering onto roads or neighbours' property. Alternatively, they may be "hefted" .
A
shepherd and a
sheep dog may be employed for protection of the flock. On large farms, dogs or riders on horseback or motorcycles may herd sheep.
Lambing
Lambing is term for the management of birth in domestic sheep. In agriculture it often requires assistance from the
farmer or
shepherd because of breeding, climate or the individual physiology of the ewe.
Australian farmers generally arrange for all the ewes in a mob to give birth within a period of a few weeks often in early Autumn. As ewes sometimes fail to bond with newborn lambs, especially after delivering twins or triplets, it is important to minimize disturbances during this period.
Life cycle
The female sheep is called a ewe. Ewes are pregnant for just under five months before they lamb, and may have anywhere from one to three lambs per birth. Some ewes can have seven or eight lambs. Single lambs are most common,
twins and triplets less common. A ewe may lamb once or twice a year. Lambs are weaned at three months. Sheep are full grown at one year weighing between 70 and 125 kilograms. Sheep can live to eleven or twelve years of age.
Sheep production worldwide
According to the , the top ten sheep producing countries in order of quantity are:
- 1. China
- 2. Australia
- 3. India
- 4. Iran
Throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic [i] importance because of its centr ...
- 5. New Zealand
- 6. UK
- 7. Sudan
- 8. Turkey
- 9. South Africa
- 10. Pakistan
While
New Zealand rates number 5 on the list of total number of sheep produced, it has the highest number of sheep per-capita.
External links
See also
