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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 25
Taste and touch:
Taste and touch are not as important as the other faculties. If something tastes good, the sheep will eat it, otherwise it will leave it. Touch is used in courting and bonding with a newly born. Sheep touch with their nose and you will often see them touching something new that has bee introduced into their environment. First of all it will approach the new object with an outstretched neck, sniffing the air, then it will touch the unfamiliar item with its nose.
WORKING WITH SHEEP
When the time comes for shearing or moving your flock, be patient and move slowly and work quietly. Animals are prone to stress, and by treating them in this way they are less stressed. Gentleness pays dividends, illness is reduced, production is improved, and there are fewer injuries. It is advisable not to work sheep during the month after which they have been bred because stress can cause abortion.
If your flock is in a large area and you need to move them this is often best accomplished with the assistance of a sheep dog who works with you. This subject will be discussed in full later in chapter 4. When using a sheep dog with your flock your work is made easier and you can herd them into the facility you want such as a catch pen, cute, or gates.
CHAPTER 2
BREEDING AND BREEDS
BREEDS
Purebreds:
A pure bred sheep possesses distinct characteristics and is one whose pedigree is registered with a breed association. The advantage of purebred is that they are greater in uniform appearance and production, and there is also the chance of extra income from the sale of breeding stock, however, this extra income can be absorbed in extra maintenance. The disadvantage of buying a purebred is that they are higher in their initial cost, and also there is the cost of registering their lambs.
Different breeds have been developed to cope with market needs and the conditions under which the animals are going to be raised. There are some breeds that thrive in hotter climates whilst others do better in cooler climates. Then there are breeds that have a higher rate of multiple births, but remember if you select one of these breeds you will have to give them more attention to ensure both survival and good growth. Some breeds are capable of breeding more than once a year such breeds are referred to as "out of the season" sheep.
Purebreds usually have certain desirable traits, however, inbreeding can also bring about undesirable traits.
Taste and touch are not as important as the other faculties. If something tastes good, the sheep will eat it, otherwise it will leave it. Touch is used in courting and bonding with a newly born. Sheep touch with their nose and you will often see them touching something new that has bee introduced into their environment. First of all it will approach the new object with an outstretched neck, sniffing the air, then it will touch the unfamiliar item with its nose.
WORKING WITH SHEEP
When the time comes for shearing or moving your flock, be patient and move slowly and work quietly. Animals are prone to stress, and by treating them in this way they are less stressed. Gentleness pays dividends, illness is reduced, production is improved, and there are fewer injuries. It is advisable not to work sheep during the month after which they have been bred because stress can cause abortion.
If your flock is in a large area and you need to move them this is often best accomplished with the assistance of a sheep dog who works with you. This subject will be discussed in full later in chapter 4. When using a sheep dog with your flock your work is made easier and you can herd them into the facility you want such as a catch pen, cute, or gates.
CHAPTER 2
BREEDING AND BREEDS
BREEDS
Purebreds:
A pure bred sheep possesses distinct characteristics and is one whose pedigree is registered with a breed association. The advantage of purebred is that they are greater in uniform appearance and production, and there is also the chance of extra income from the sale of breeding stock, however, this extra income can be absorbed in extra maintenance. The disadvantage of buying a purebred is that they are higher in their initial cost, and also there is the cost of registering their lambs.
Different breeds have been developed to cope with market needs and the conditions under which the animals are going to be raised. There are some breeds that thrive in hotter climates whilst others do better in cooler climates. Then there are breeds that have a higher rate of multiple births, but remember if you select one of these breeds you will have to give them more attention to ensure both survival and good growth. Some breeds are capable of breeding more than once a year such breeds are referred to as "out of the season" sheep.
Purebreds usually have certain desirable traits, however, inbreeding can also bring about undesirable traits.