Quiz 3 Sheep production

When it comes to housing what are we looking for?

nothing fancy, protection form winter weather, sheltered from wind and dry, hutches can work

What does a barn need

1) Barns open to the south

2) Dry, draft free and well ventilated

3) Consider how you will clean barn

4) Door width

5) wind block

What utilities are needed

1) Electric

2) Running water

3) Hot water heater, washing facilities

4) Warm room

What size of space do we need for a ewe with access to a lot of exercise

12-15ft^2

_______ inches at bunk for ewe

15-18 inches

___ auto waters or tanks for every ____ head of ewes or doe

2; 30

_____ inches per lamb of feeder space

12

What size of space do we need for a doe with access to a lot for exercise

10-15 ft^2

___ inches at bunt per doe

12 inches

__ to ___ inches for hand fed kids for feeder space

6; 12

When it comes to sheep what is some equipment you might need

trimming stand, cradle, foot bath, shearing area, pens for lambing jugs, creep feeders

Why is a shearing area for sheep important

A dedicated shearing area is essential for ensuring a clean, dry, and safe environment for both the sheep and the shearer, stress-free handling, prevent disease by reducing pathogens in the fleece, and allow for parasite inspection

What is the sheep gestation period

142-154

Do larger breeds and white face breeds generally have longer gestations

yes

add ___ months to the date a ewe is bred by the ram; and this is a good predictor of her due date

5

What signs show that a ewe is in heat

swollen vulva, restlessness, accepts the ram, teaser ram with a marker harness

If a ewe fails to become pregnant, her next cycle will be in

16 to 17 days

what is a ewes age of puberty

6-9 months

what is a rams age of puberty

4-6 months

What is the length of estrus

24-36 hours

Ovulation is _____ hours from the onset of estrus

24-30

How do we AI sheep

laparoscopic surgery

Why is breeding lambs in their first year thought to be a necessity by some, by others a poor management practice; WHY?

1) Growth temporarily retarded, not stunted.

2) In creased lambing problems

3) Wool yield not affected by early lambing

4) More pounds weaned per ewe if ewes lamb as yearling

5) Most current genetics

What are some factors affecting reproduction

Heredity, age of puberty, age of ewe, seasonal breeders, temperature, nutrition, time since last lambing, disease and parasites, fertility of the male, libido of the male

What are some ways that we can control reproduction

Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, estrus synchronization, flushing, selection, light exposure

What is flushing

high energy feed 2-3 weeks before breeding season

Fecundity gene

additive for ovulation rate, partially dominant for litter size. On average, one copy of the gene (FecB) increases litter size by one lamb.

How do we synchronize ewes estrus cycles

Day 0) Insert CiDR

Day 1) inject 1ml Estimate

Day 12) remove CiDR and inject 3ml PG600

Day 13) no feed no water

Day 14) AI

For estrus synchronization what is the percentage of conception

65-80%

What is the best part about Artificial insemination

we can use some of the best genetics in the world!

What is the price for a frozen unit

50-400 dollars

What is the best part about fresh semen

Extend it and breed many ewes to lamb all within a few days of each other

What is accelerated lambing

ewes lambing more than once per year

What are the pros of accelerated lambing

reduce maintenance cost of breeding stock per lamb, usually increase return( increased marketing options and higher prices for holidays), more consistent supply of lamb throughout the year

What are cons of accelerated lambing

Requires knowledge of reproductive physiology, Usually requires more resources and management, Ewes must be maternal, breed out of season, and produce mostly twins

When accelerated lambing requires knowledge of reproduction what does that mean

use of CiDR's, MGA, controlled lighting, ram effect, genetics

when accelerated lambing requires more resources and management what does that mean

pastures, buildings, equipment, feed, parasites, mastitis, labor

____ lamb crops per ewe every ___ years

3;2

therefore a new lamb is born every

8 months

___ lambs crop per ewe every 3 years

5

What do we call the very intensive system that lambs 5 ewes every 3 years

STAR system

A natural system consist of

no hormones or light control

Still learning (3)

You've started learning these terms. Keep it up!