Sheep Behaviour and Handling

Prey Species

Animals hunted and killed for food by predators

Flocking

Sheep gathering together for protection and social interaction

Leadership

Synchronisation of behaviours in response to a leader

Social Hierarchy

Ranking system within a group determining power dynamics

Flight Zone

Distance at which sheep start moving away from an approaching entity

Balance Point

Position on the animal that causes a change in direction when crossed

Depth Perception

Ability to perceive objects in three dimensions

Peripheral Vision

Vision at the edges of the field of view

Low Stress Handling

Techniques to move sheep with minimal stress and fear

Parallel Movement

Handler's movement to guide animals with minimal stress

Restraint

Restraining sheep for management events like shearing or drenching

Castration

Surgical removal of the testicles

Weaning

Separating young animals from their mother

Drenching

Administering liquid medication to sheep

Crutching

Shearing wool from around the tail and between the rear legs

Drafting

Separating sheep into different groups

Shearing

Removing wool from sheep

Zigzag Pattern

Moving in a series of sharp turns to influence flock movement

Desire to Not Become Isolated

Instinct to stay with the group for safety and protection

Blind Spot

Area where the animal cannot see the handler

Field of Vision

Area visible to the animal without moving its head

Monocular Vision

Vision with both eyes separately, not overlapping

Binocular Vision

Vision where both eyes focus on the same object

Maternal Groups

Groups formed by females to care for offspring

Bachelor Herds

Groups of male sheep without females

Marking

Includes castration, docking, and other procedures for identification and management.

Dagging

Trimming wool around the tail or belly of sheep.

Immobilising a sheep

Restraining a sheep in one place using baler twine.

Vaccinations

Administering vaccines to protect sheep from diseases.

Drench gun

Tool used to administer drenches to sheep.

Elastrator

Applicator used to apply rubber rings for castration and tail docking.

Ear notching

Identifying lambs by removing a small part of their ear.

Automatic drafting settings

Weighing system feature controlling gates for sheep sorting.

Shearing hand piece

Tool with cutter and comb for removing sheep's wool.

Sub-cutaneous injections

Administering vaccinations under the skin.

Cauterising iron

Tool for amputating tails by cauterizing the wound.

Baler twine

Material used to immobilize sheep by tying their legs and neck.

Anthelminitic

Treatment for internal parasites in sheep.

Campylobacter

Disease vaccination commonly given to sheep.

Toxoplasma

Disease vaccination commonly given to sheep.

Colstridial diseases

Disease vaccination commonly given to sheep.

Salmonella brandenburg

Disease vaccination commonly given to sheep.

Drafting gates

Used to control the direction of sheep during sorting.

Sheep yards

Enclosed area for handling and managing sheep.

Mob

Group of sheep.