Sheep Production and Management Quiz 1

What is a sheep classification kingdom?

Animalia (animal)

What is a sheep classification phylum?

Cordata (vertebrates)

What is a sheep classification class?

mammalia (suckle thier young)

What is a sheep classification order?

Ungulate (hoofed mammals)

What is a sheep classification sub order?

Artiodactyla (even toed Ungulata)

What is a sheep classification section?

Pecora (typical ruminants)

What is a sheep classification family?

Bovidae (hollow-horned ruminants)

What is a sheep classifiaction subfamily?

Caprinae (sheep and goats)

What is a sheep classification genus?

Ovis (sheep)

What is a sheep classification species?

Ovis aries (domesticated sheep)

What is a sheep called when they are a male of breeding age?

Ram/Buck

What is a castrated male sheep called?

Wether

What is an immature male sheep called?

Ram lamb/Buck lamb

Buck lamb

What do you call a female sheep of breeding age?

Ewe

What do you call an immature female sheep?

Ewe lamb

What do you call a newborn sheep?

Lamb

What is a group of sheep called?

Flock

What is lambing?

Act of parturition

What is the age of puberty?

5-8 months

What is the lenght of the estrous cycle?

17 days

What is a ewe's gestation length?

145-153 days

When is the typical breeding season?

August-January

When is the typical seasonal anestrous?

February-July

How many lambs on average are born to one ewe?

1-2

What is the weaning age?

6 weeks to 3 months

What is the pasture carrying capacity?

3-5 ewes and lambs per acre

What is a sheep's expected lifespan?

6-11 years

What is the purpose of a meat sheep breed?

Meat production, brush clearance, lesser for wool and skin (Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, Russia)

What is the purpose of a wool sheep breed?

Wool production, brush clearance, lesser for meat and skin (diffrent types and grades of wool)

What is the purpose of a dairy sheep breed?

Milk production, lesser for wool and meat

When and where were sheep first domesticated?

About 11,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent (Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq).

What three subspecies of wild Mouflon form the ancestral base of domestic sheep?

Argali, Mouflon, and Urial (Ovis gmelini spp)

What were the first 'meat' animals to be domesticated?

Sheep

What species were domesticated before sheep?

Dog and Reindeer

How might hunters have initially brought wild sheep into human care?

By bringing orphaned animals back to their homes.

Why were Mouflon kept long enough to reach sexual maturity and breed?

Because Mouflon are docile and cute as babies.

What main products do sheep provide?

Meat, milk, milk products, hide, bone, and wool.

What were sheep bones historically used for?

Building, tools, and fertilizer.

What region is associated with domestic sheep DNA Type A lineage?

Asian

What region is associated with domestic sheep DNA Type B lineage?

European

What regions are associated with domestic sheep DNA Type C lineage?

Turkey and China

What ancestor species do sheep lineages A, B, and C descend from?

Different wild ancestor species of the Mouflon in the Fertile Crescent.

Approximately how many distinct breeds of sheep exist?

Over 1,000 distinct breeds.

Which livestock species has more distinct breeds than any other?

Sheep

What countries are associated with the Arabi sheep breed?

Iran, Iraq

What region is associated with the Karakul sheep breed?

Central Asia

What countries and alternate name are associated with the Iranian Red Sheep?

Iran, Armenia (AKA Armenian Mouflon)

What is the origin of the Horned Dorset sheep breed?

England

Where was the Polled Dorset sheep breed developed?

NC State University

What is the origin of the Arapawa sheep breed?

New Zealand

What is the origin of the Dorper sheep breed?

South Africa

What is the origin of the Acipayim sheep breed?

Turkey

What is the origin of the Karayoka sheep breed?

Turkey

What is the origin of the Altay sheep breed?

China

Do all sheep have wool?

No, some breeds are hair sheep rather than wool sheep.

Do any goats produce wool?

No

What is the difference in chromosome numbers between sheep and goats?

Sheep have 54 chromosomes, while goats have 60 chromosomes.

How fertile is a sheep-goat hybrid?

They are rarely fertile, with males especially infertile due to Haldane's Law.

What is Haldane's Law in sheep-goat hybrids?

It notes that the heterogametic sex (male) is more likely to be infertile or inviable.

What is a Geep?

A chimera produced by combining goat and sheep embryos, containing cells from both.

How do goats and sheep differ in their foraging behavior?

Goats are browsers (leaves/twigs/shrubs), while sheep are grazers (short grasses/legumes).

What are the foraging preferences of goats?

Leaves, twigs, vines, shrubs, and the tops of plants.

What are the foraging preferences of sheep?

Short, tender grasses, legumes, broadleaf weeds, and plant material close to the soil surface.

How do dietary requirements for fleshing differ between goats and sheep?

Goats have harder fleshing and require a more nutritious diet than sheep.

How do the tail positions of goats and sheep differ?

Goats' tails point up, while sheep's tails hang down.

How do goats and sheep differ in curiosity and independence?

Goats are naturally curious and independent compared to sheep.

Which species seeks shelter more readily, sheep or goats?

Goats seek shelter more readily.

Which species is easier to keep inside a fence, sheep or goats?

Sheep, because they have a much stronger flocking instinct.

What moisture and terrain preferences do both sheep and goats share?

Neither species likes wet feet, and both prefer upland grazing to lowland.

How do rams and male goats differ in their fighting style?

Rams back up and charge to butt heads; goats rear on hind legs and come down forcibly.

How does a sheep's upper lip differ from a goat's?

Sheep have an upper lip divided by a distinct philtrum (groove).

What distinct glands do sheep have beneath their eyes and between their toes?

Face or tear glands beneath eyes and foot or scent glands between toes.

Where are glands uniquely located on a goat compared to sheep?

Beneath their tail.

How do male goats (bucks) and rams differ in odor during maturity/breeding season?

Bucks develop very strong odor; rams have a much weaker odor during breeding season.

Do sheep or goats typically have beards?

Some goats have beards.

How do sheep and goats differ in natural horn presence?

Many sheep breeds are naturally polled, while most goats are naturally horned.

How do sheep and goat horn shapes differ?

Sheep horns curl in side loops; goat horns are narrower, upright, and less curved.

What are the sheep classifications based on primary purpose?

Meat, milk, wool.

What are the sheep classifications based on fiber type?

Fine, Medium, Long, Coarse (Carpet), Hair, Fur.

What are the sheep classifications based on face color?

Black, White, Red (Tunis), Speckled (Welsh, Scottish Blackface).

What are the sheep classifications based on physical or production characteristics?

Fat-Tailed Sheep, Short or Rat-tailed Sheep, Primitive Breeds (Unimproved: Shetland, Soay, Hebridean...).

Where is lamb consumption primarily concentrated in the US?

On the East and West coasts and within ethnic populations.

Which ethnic descents drive lamb consumption in the US?

Greek, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and Native American descents.

Which religious groups account for significant lamb consumption in the US?

Islamic and Jewish religions.

What are the primary physical and production traits of meat sheep breeds?

Heavier muscled, faster growing, with poorer quality medium wool.

What fiber diameter range defines medium wool sheep breeds?

21 to 30 micron fiber diameter.

Where was the Cheviot sheep breed originally developed?

Cheviot Hills on the border of England and Scotland.

What physical features distinguish the Border Cheviot breed?

White points, erect ears, very small frame, and hardy nature.

How do North Country Cheviots differ in frame size from Border Cheviots?

North Country Cheviots have a larger frame.

What key physical characteristics define the Dorset sheep breed?

White points, wool cap, medium frame, and capability to breed out of season.

Where were Polled Dorsets first developed in 1948?

North Carolina State University.

What physical markings identify Hampshire sheep?

Black points and a wool cap.

What primary commercial role do Hampshire rams serve?

Terminal sires for fast-growing market lambs.

What two breeds were crossed to originate Oxford sheep?

Cotswold and Hampshire.

What physical features distinguish Shropshire sheep?

Black points, wool cap, and lower ears.

What distinct traits characterize Southdown sheep?

Brown points, wool cap, early maturity, and compact frame.

What head and leg features distinguish Suffolk sheep from Hampshires?

Suffolk sheep have black points with no wool cap.

What cross produced the Montadale sheep breed?

Columbia crossed with Cheviot.

Where did the Texel sheep breed originate?

Isle of Texel in the Netherlands.