A sketch featuring labeled body parts of a sheep fills the screen, accompanied by a small image of three sheep in the right corner.
It’s important to know the words used by sheep producers. When you know and use the right words, other people who own sheep will be able to understand you. So, when selecting sheep, you should use the anatomical terms used in the industry.
A slide displays 12 images showcasing different types of sheep based on their hair type and geographical origin.
Breed, while important, is not the only characteristic to consider when selecting sheep. Before selecting a breed, you will need to consider whether you will be raising sheep for meat, wool, dairy production, or as dual-purpose animals. After selecting a breed, you will need to consider each animal’s conformation, soundness, growth efficiencies, vigor, wool or hair type, and sexual characteristics.
A woman showcases a sheep, holding one of its legs. She highlights the shoulders, then the sheep's neck and legs. Close-ups of the sheep's feet are followed by showing the loin and rump areas.
A sheep with good conformation will have a wide, straight top; smooth shoulders; fullness through the heart area; and a long, well-balanced body. The sheep must also be structurally sound to remain productive and healthy. Its legs should be set squarely under the four corners of its body. The feet should be trimmed as needed to prevent foot disease.
If the sheep is raised for its meat, it is essential that it have adequate muscling through the loin and rump where the highest value cuts of meat are located. A sheep’s loin should be level with the ground, wide, and thick. The rump should be wide and deep to provide more muscling.
A series of images depicting Merino sheep.
If the sheep is being raised for wool, the wool should look healthy and have the proper amount of luster and lanolin for the breed.
Another woman examines a healthy white sheep.
All breeding stock should be hardy and healthy, as well as parasite tolerant. Ewes should look feminine with udders that are smooth, soft, and firm.
A series of images showing the udders of female sheep.
Each udder should have one functional teat. Rams are typically aggressive, and you should always be vigilant when in their presence.
A sequence of images featuring male ram sheep, including scenes of them fighting.
Rams should be rugged and active. Rams are typically aggressive and you should always be vigilant when in their presence.
A series of images depicting humans checking the teeth of sheep across different age groups.
A final thing to consider is the age of the animal you intend to select. Age can be determined by looking at a sheep’s teeth. Mature sheep should have eight incisors to help with proper grazing. The top and bottom jaws should have the incisors aligned with the pad on the upper jaw. Younger sheep have fewer teeth of differing sizes, and older sheep having more teeth of a more even size.
First, a woman is seen holding the sheep by its jaws.
Ewes generally peak with lamb production at four to six years, therefore younger ewes usually bring a higher cost.
This transitions to images of a sheep with its twin lambs, followed by scenes of a sheep grazing in a field and another sheep eating grass inside a farm.
Also, ewes that birth twins are preferable to those who birth single lambs. An animal’s growth efficiency refers to its ability to make rapid weight gain. Although certain breed characteristics may make a lamb grow faster, on average, a lamb should be 40 to 50 pounds at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Select a breeding animal that can produce these lambs.