Sheep Terminology

Ewe

female sheep of breeding age, may be qualified as maiden ewes, not yet bred, or ewe lambs, up to one year

Cull ewe

finished ewes culled out for slaughter

Mutton

the meat of older sheep, including cull ewes

Ram

entire male animal that has reached sexual maturity at around six months

Wether

male sheep castrated at an early age before secondary sexual characters have developed

Flock

group of sheep

Lambs

young sheep still with its dam (mother) or up to five

months of age. Qualified as ewe lamb or ram lamb

Store Lambs

lambs not sold during the summer for

slaughter may be kept for sale or feeding on as store lamb

Crossbred

an animal whose sire (father) and dam (mother) are different breeds or breed types

Purebred

parents are of the same breed or type

Fat Lambs

finished ready for slaughter from approx four

months old onwards