Sheep Management and Lambing Season Overview

Lambing Season

Mid-January to March; busiest time for sheep.

Short

Sheep are considered _____ day breeders

Lamb Count

Ewes typically have 1-3 lambs per birth.

Ideal Lamb Count

Aim for 2 lambs per ewe for health.

Bottle Feeding

Third lamb often requires _________ _______ because of lack of nutrients.

Jugs

Pens for lambs with heat lamps for warmth.

Jug Duration

Lambs stay in jugs for 48 hours.

Group Pens

Lambs moved to pens for exercise post-jugs.

Tail Docking

Banding tails prevents infection and keeps clean. Done at two weeks of age

Weaning Age

Lambs are weaned at about 75 days old (10-14 weeks)

Gestation length

147 days (5 months)

Selling Age

Lambs sold at 6 months old.

Hot Summer Months

When are sheep are sheared?

Medium Wool sheep uses

carpets, blankets, and foot baths.

Breeding Season

Occurs from August to October annually.

Breeds on the Farm

Suffolk and Texel

Dual Purpose (Meat and Wool)

What are the sheep used for?

Breeding Rams

Three rams used for breeding on property.

Breeding Marking

Rams wear crayon necklaces to mark ewes.

Crayon Change

Crayon color changed every 14 days.

Famacha Score

Scale assessing anemia via eyelid color. (1 bright red, 5 being white)

Deworming Strategy

every 2 weeks in the summer and every 3 weeks in the winter

Food Rot

Bacterial infection from wet conditions.

Hoof Trimming

Prevents infections by maintaining hoof health.

Working Facility Safety

Use ropes; avoid touching wires for safety.