Small ruminants ANS 150

Sheep and goats are often referred to as

Small ruminants

Approx how many sheep are there in NC?

29,000. NC is not a major contributor

2020: 45,000 meat goats in NC-down from 90,000 in 2010

2020: 7,500 dairy goats in NC-numbers holding steady

Learn these facts. Answer is: ok

ok

Know the terminology

Terms

Know the external terminology for the goat

Terms

Know the external terminology for the sheep

Terms

Sheep breeds to learn:

Merino (see Delaine Merino), Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorset, Katahdin

Goat breeds to learn:

Boer, Angora, Pygmy, Nubian (listed as Anglo-Nubian on the Breeds webpage)

Herd animals (called "________" for sheep)

flock

T/F? Sheep and goats' instincts are to flee from danger

True

_______/_____ may be feisty-especially during breeding season

Rams/Bucks

If you are staring them straight on, that is ________________ toward them

Aggressive

What two things can you do to get them to walk past us?

Turn your side to them and no eye contact

In terms of their eating behaviors, sheep are

Grazers

Being grazers means

they prefer to eat pasture grasses, legumes

In terms of eating behaviors, goats are

Browsers

What does it mean to be a browser?

this means they prefer to eat the leaves from bushes, but they will also graze

Ruminants have no

upper incisors

Sheep and goats have a _________ upper lip

split

The split upper lip allows them to?

Graze close to the ground, be very selective

Both sheep and goats are classified in the family

Bovidae

Sheep genus?

Goat genus?

Sheep = Ovis

Goat = Capra

________ point their tails up. _________ point their tails down.

Goat up, sheep down

Bucks are ___________, rams are not

odiferous (smelly)

About how many breeds of sheep are there worldwide?

200

Sheep are characteristically timid, and have a strong ________ ___________

Flock instinct

Domestic sheep come from the wild sheep of Europe and Asia called

Mouflons

Domestication of sheep was around ________ years ago

10,000

In the U.S., ___________________ (Rocky Mountain Sheep) were native

Big Horn Sheep

Purebred producer does what?

Sells breeding stock, careful genetic selection

Commercial producer does what?

produces meat (lamb) [and wool]-does not sell breeding stock • may keep replacement females • often purchases registered rams

What do you call the wool after it has been shorn off of a sheep?

Fleece

Where is the "dock" on a sheep?

The tail, referring to where it is typically docked (don't need to know this next part) at the level of the distal end of the caudal tail fold

Why would you want to set a sheep up like she is "sitting?"

To sheer them

Higher quality wool, good mothers

Ewe breeds

Higher quality of meat

Sire breeds

Balance of meat and wool

General purpose

Meat production; Heat tolerant

Hair sheep

Milk for cheese

Dairy breeds

Specialty wool, hobby, show

Minor breeds

What breeds is this describing?

Hardy • Above average fleece weight & quality • Longevity • Milking and mothering ability • White face, wool

Ewe breeds

Wool sheep must be shorn every ___________

Year

Used for terminal crosses • Meaty sheep; fast growth rate • Not fine-wool breeds • May have black faces, some black fibers

Ram breeds (sire breeds)

Evolved in warm climates • Heat-tolerant • More parasite-resistant • Don't have to be shorn! • Katahdin and Barbados Blackbelly

Hair sheep

Jacob sheep is an unusual sheep-colored wool (pattern)-has 4 horns!-originated in England 350 years ago

Minor breed

The choice of breed (or commercial flock) will depend on the producer's

goals and preferences

T/F? Goats descended from the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus)

True

Goats are used for meat, milk, and fiber. (____________)

Mohair

Goats were originally general purpose • Recent history: bred for high ______ _____________ or __________ ___________-dairy goat • high milk production; not selected for carcass characteristics-meat goat • selected for lean meat production

milk production or meaty carcass

Worldwide, goat meat is eaten more than any other red meat-

Meat from:

adult goat = ___________

young goat = ___________

Worldwide, goat meat is eaten more than any other red meat-

Meat from:

adult goat = Chevon

young goat = Cabrito

The _________ goat has become popular • Originated in South Africa • Meaty breed: fast gains in kids • Kidding rate of 200% is common • Can get 3 kiddings every 2 years

Boer

First U.S. embryo imports were here at NCSU

Fun fact slide

There are several popular breeds of dairy goats that have been selected for very high milk production.

Saanen and nubian

Pygmy goat is popular for

Show and hobby pets

What type of pygmy goat do we have in NC?

Cameroon Dwarf Goat

Sheep and goats are considered __________ animals

prey

Distress sound is the "_______"

Bleat

The aggressive sound is a snort.

Stamping one front leg is a ___________

Head butting = aggressive move

Warning

For small ruminants, puberty occurs between __ and ___ months of age • Breed and season of birth influence age at puberty

5 and 12 months

Most breeds are ____________ in nature

seasonal

Some breeds can be bred all year (such as who?)

Hair sheep

Sheep and goats evolved as short day breeders (breed in the ___________)

Fall

Higher nutrient requirements in __________ trimester

Last

T/F? Wool sheep are shorn before lambing

True

Vaccinate ewe or doe how long before kidding or lambing? Why

Dystocia = trouble giving birth, and Ewe may not accept lambs-especially when twins or triplets are born

If ewe doesn't accept a lamb or a lamb is not getting enough milk:-try what

get another ewe to nurse the lamb-have to trick her into accepting another ewe's lamb

Graft technique? fetal fluids from graft ewe are rubbed on other ewe's lamb

Slime graft

Graft technique? immerse lamb to be grafted and ewe's own lamb in the same solution (smell the same)

Wet graft

She gives milk until lambs are weaned at __ to ___ _________ of age • Most ewes/does lose weight during lactation

2-3 months of age

Ewes/does nursing single lambs are often separated from ewes nursing twins or triplets. Why would you put them in separate pens or pastures?

Pregnant and lactating ewe lambs should be kept separate from mature ewes. Ewe lambs require extra nutrition because they are still growing. They will not compete well at the feed bunk with mature ewes and will not gain weight properly. Ewe lambs that are forced to run with the ewe flock will lose weight in late gestation and lactation.

T/F? Lambs weaned at 2 to 3 months of age-Local on-farm sales of live animals • some ethnic and religious groups need lambs or goats-Other sales • go to a feedlot

True

Rebreed at weaning (if lambing/kidding year round)

Got it

Main Problems with Sheep/Goats

Predators (good fencing and guard dogs) • Foot rot (trimming feet and foot baths) • Parasites (dewormers are losing effectiveness)

Courses at NCSU in small ruminants

ANS 408 = Small Ruminant Management-ANS 150 and Junior status are the pre requisites-Taught in fall and spring semesters

Careers with Sheep/Goats

Farm owner-usually has another full time job • Allied industries-pharmaceutical companies-feed sales-veterinarian