behavior and handling

Flight Zone

 An animal's personal space.

Point of Balance

 Located at the animal's shoulder. All species of livestock will move forward if the handler steps behind the point of balance, and will stop if the handler steps in front of it.

Foot Rot

 An infection caused by bacteria that thrive and grow in conditions lacking air circulation and oxygen, such as the hoof of an animal standing for long periods in manure or mud. 

Hemostatic Powder

 An agent/substance that stops bleeding.

CCIA (Canadian Cattle Identification Agency)

 Provides livestock traceability from birth to finish. An identification program that supports efficient trace-back and containment of serious animal health and food safety concerns in the Canadian livestock industry.

Behavior

Sheep are a PREY animal.

• Little ability to defend themselves

• Stronger together

• Never walk in a straight line

• Keen senses and high pain tolerance

Handling

• Remember the strong flock instinct

  • Sheep move together; it is very difficult to cut out one sheep

• Strong flight response – move slowly

  • Strong flee response – "popcorn sheep" (sheep scatter/bolt unpredictably)

• Individual handling can be difficult

  • Utilize smaller pens and jugs

  • Easier to catch a sheep if it is facing into a corner

Handling & Moving – Moving Sheep Up

Improper handling causes needless stress to both the sheep and the handler(s).

• Sheep can be trained to come to a vocal command or the rattle of a feed bucket – most sheep will move when they think they are going to get grain to eat

• If the sheep aren't familiar with where you want to move them, several people may be needed to act as herders

• Always move sheep slowly, calmly, and quietly – do not allow splinter groups to develop

• Work from one direction or line, going up along the fence and using the point of balance to move them forward; line up gates first to always give them a laneway to move into

Handling & Moving – Positioning Diagram

• Handler level with the point of balance (shoulder) – animal stands still

• Handler moves behind the point of balance – animal moves forward

• Handler moves in front of the point of balance – animal stops / moves backward

Handling – Catching Sheep

• Utilize a wall or panel

• Once the sheep are in the catch pen, maneuver them into a corner using your arms to block them

• Always approach sheep calmly and slowly

• Cup your hand under the jaw of the sheep you want (point the sheep's nose upward to stop its forward motion)

• If bunched up, slowly wiggle into the flock, gently place your arm around the neck, push on the chest to back the sheep up, and push it gently against a wall or panel

DO NOT grab wool – it is painful and causes bruising.

Standing Restraint

Technique

• Catch the sheep against a wall

• Use one hand to control the head

• Use your legs to prevent forward and sideways movement

• May need to position the sheep in a corner to prevent backward movement

Uses for This Position

• Physical wellness exams

• Jugular venipuncture

• IM (neck) / SQ (neck) injections

• Oral medications (drench or dewormer)

Chute Restraint

• Sheep can be run through a sheep chute system

Used for Processing

• Blood collection

• Shearing

• Tagging

• Ultrasound / pregnancy checks

Tipped Sheep

Uses for This Position

• Trimming feet

  • Udder and testes exams

  • Teeth (aging)

  • Feet

• Vaccines

  • SQ injections given in the axilla region

Tipping Sheep – Method (Step by Step)

1. Place one hand underneath the jaw of the sheep and stand to the side of the sheep.

2. Ensure the leg closest to the sheep's head is in line with or just behind the shoulder; your knee on that side should be touching the sheep's hip.

3. Place your other hand over the sheep's back, on the hips. Turn the sheep's nose away from you, toward the opposite shoulder from your leg.

4. Put pressure on the hips (without bruising the animal) to cause an imbalance in the sheep's hindquarters.

5. Step back with the leg that is touching the sheep's hip, while continuing to move the head toward the back of the sheep.

6. The sheep's hindquarters should give way, and its back will lean against your legs.

7. Place one leg on either side of the sheep so it comfortably sits on its rump between you.

8. Ensure the sheep is resting on its hip, not on its dock.