Sheep

Lanolin is a product with a multitude of uses. A yellow-colored grease that is obtained from lamb's and sheep's wool, lanolin is used in materials as diverse as adhesive tape, motor oil, printer ink…

Even though sheep are one of the most common livestock animals in the world, few people are aware that sheep shows exist. Sheep are shown to determine their market value and how well they fit their…

Shepherding is an old fashioned profession that is still alive today. Hundreds of millions of sheep graze on farms around the world, producing tender lamb meat, warm wool and tangy cheeses such as…

Sheep are natural grazers and will spend up to seven hours a day eating in a pasture. But not all pastures are equal, with some having little to no nutritional value. Making your own sheep feed will…

Sheep milk is much less popular in Western countries than cow milk, both as a drink and in cheese or yogurt. It does, though, have advantages in all of these forms. These include the presence of…

Sheep owners can't keep an eye on their sheep every minute of the day and night. Peace of mind is why a sheep herder should consider investing in a shelter. With a sheep shelter, herders can make sure…

When raising sheep for their fiber, it is important to keep the wool clean and free from debris. Before wool is made into yarn, the fiber goes through intense cleaning to rid it of hay, seeds, and…

Much of the world's sheep milk that is used for human consumption is made into cheese of various types. Among these are Romano, Roquefort and Feta, though there are numerous other varieties that are…

If you need fast money in "Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise," consider selling wool. A domesticated sheep, called a Goobaa, produces wool when you send it into a Shearing Shed. Wool sells for 210 coins…

Sheep are grazers and so wherever they live in large numbers, the grass is short. You can make use of this ability on your own property. An orchard is a particularly good place to let a sheep graze…

Sheep are mammals, domestic herbivores. Mainly raised for meat, milk, wool and skin, sheep are one of the first animals to have been domesticated. They appear in ancient legends, such as the Golden…

Keeping sheep penned is challenging. They are much cleverer than their reputations imply. Sheep squeeze through small openings, find ways to unlatch gates and generally excel at getting themselves…

Sheep are highly social animals prized for their wool, milk and meat. Archeological finds indicate they may have been domesticated as early as 10,000 B.C. Today, there are over 1,000 breeds of sheep…

Scrapie disease affects both sheep and goats in the United States, with the first case found in 1947. The disease belongs to a class of infections --- transmissible spongiform encephalopathy -- that…

The phrase "to follow like sheep" originates because sheep naturally follow the flock. This can cause problems when a sheep gets into difficulties, as others fail to see the danger. Farmers pen sheep…

Ewes are particularly susceptible to gestational problems during the late gestation stage because over 70 percent of fetus growth occurs during the last four to six weeks of pregnancy. A trouble-free…

Sheep and cattle are two types of livestock that can be raised for similar reasons. Like there are dairy cattle and meat cattle, there are also dairy sheep, meat sheep and even wool sheep. Even with…

Corn silage is a major feed source for animals such as sheep. It is one of the most important forges used for livestock. Farmers usually choose corn silage because of the low-cost storage and its…

The Dorper mutton breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s by crossbreeding a Dorset Horn ram and Blackheaded Persian ewe. Bred to flourish in arid regions, Dorpers are known for their…

The newest classification in the American Kennel Club (AKC) is the Herding Group. Formerly listed under the Working Group, the Herding Group was given its own designation in 1983. Currently 24 breeds…

Sheep are raised specifically for either their meat, milk or wool. Of those sheep bred specifically for their wool, there are many breeds, each of which are preserved and used for the unique qualities…

Sheep have played an integral role for the people of Colombia since Spanish explorers introduced them in the 1500s. The sheep industry has been hurt by declining wool prices and a lessened demand for…

Because sheep have been domesticated as farm animals for some 10,000 years, dozens of breeds have developed around the world. Sheep reached the Americas in the 15th century, thanks to the explorations…

Weaning is the practice of removing lambs from the ewes and replacing the milk diet with a grass- or grain-based diet. Weaning ages vary by farm and depend on the availability of feed, pasture and the…

The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, issues official criteria for grading sheep. By implementing a grading system, the USDA provides consumers predictable quality when selecting…

It is a joy to see a dog working sheep perfectly, herding them correctly, without losing control or stressing the sheep. You may wonder at who has had the time, patience and expertise to bring a dog…

Your reasons for keeping sheep are essential for deciding on the breeds of sheep you buy. If you keep sheep for meat, milk or wool, you need to pick a breed that produces the best of each. You can…

The Corriedale breed of sheep is classified as a dual-purpose breed. The ewes produce dense, solid white, medium-length wool. The wool is popular with hand spinners. Their lambs also have desirable…

Spinning wool into yarn mostly likely began around 4000 B.C.. with the first wool factory established in Winchester, England, in A.D. 50. Nowadays, about 40 breeds of sheep produce about 200 types of…

For thousands of years, farmers have used dogs to protect and manage their livestock, including chickens and sheep. However, choosing the right dog depends on what you want: a herding dog or a guard…

Judging sheep can be a tense job, especially when the hopes of so many entrants are riding on your decision. Sheep contests and shows, common in many rural communities and through 4-H clubs, attract…

Barber Pole Worm, also known as Haemonchus contortus, is a parasite found in sheep that can lead to bottle jaw, anemia and death. According to research animal scientist Joan Burke, different…

The dorper sheep is one of the largest species of meat sheep in the world. Developed in South Africa in the 1930s by crossing dorset-horned and black-headed Persian sheep, the sturdy dorper spread…

Manure: It smells, it's unpleasant to see and it certainly isn't dinner table conversation. But it's something that both animals and humans produce. There are several differences between human and…

Icelandic sheep are medium-size bovids and among the oldest species of sheep in the world. They produce excellent wool and milk, making them a popular choice for sheep farmers. Like most mammals,…

You do your horse a favor if you examine the content of any salt block before buying it. Your horse needs both salt and minerals; "trace minerals" refer to minerals your horse typically needs less…

Reproduction is nature's way of ensuring continuity in any species, sheep included. Most sheep give birth without help; however, a small number may experience difficulties in the process. One of the…

In tough economic times, families often look for ways to save money. One idea is to raise your own food, including growing vegetables and raising a steer for beef. Whether raising a steer for food to…

Goats can be a challenge to keep in a fenced area. They are notorious for jumping over the tallest fences. Even the most expensive fences, if not maintained regularly, can be penetrated by a curious…

Even though sheep and goats are small ruminant animals of similar size, they produce different amounts and types of milk. Throughout the world, people drink more goat milk than milk from any other…

There are visible and set differences between the American blackbelly and Barbados blackbelly sheep. Although both breeds are recognized as hair sheep, their registration and classification differs…

Shearing is the method of cutting the wool off a sheep; shearing is a learned skill at which you get better with practice. The actual shearing process doesn't hurt the sheep. The sheep's hamstring and…

Shearing is the method used to collect wool from sheep, which is then used to make yarn for knitting and weaving. Lamb's wool tends to be very soft, making it ideal for knitted clothing. Because a…

Reducing dust in feedlot rations can increase profits through less livestock sickness, better feed utilization and less feed waste. Dust causes animal respiratory and digestive problems, employee skin…

Sheep shearing is the process of removing a sheep's wool in preparation for processing. This process is typically performed on all the sheep at once, and it is typically performed by a professional…

Cattle producers have long thought that whole-shelled corn is much less digestible than ground corn due to the presence of kernels in the feces of cattle fed whole-shelled corn, but recent studies…

Sheep are generally healthy and economical farm creatures, providing wool, meat and milk. They do well in a variety of climates. Sheep flourish on grass, alfalfa and a few grains, and they clean up…

Hair sheep are sheep with a greater proportion of hair than wool fibers. This means they do not need shearing, a fact which contributes to the attraction of these sheep. With the high cost involved in…

According to North Dakota State University, sunflower seed meal minus the husks is an excellent way to add protein to ruminant animals, specifically cattle and sheep. The sunflower meal is a byproduct…

Katahdin sheep were originally developed in the United States -- specifically north central Maine. They are considered a breed of hair sheep and most owners breed these sheep to produce meat. They are…

When you have a flock of sheep and it is your livelihood, the last thing you need is for one of your sheep to escape by jumping over a fence. To stop a sheep from jumping a fence, you have to imprint…

Some sheep producers find that raising the so-called "hair" breeds -- breeds that shed a hair coat rather than requiring shearing -- has become more economically advantageous for the small farmer. In…

Goats and sheep share many characteristics, but successful breeding between them is rare. Pregnancy is more likely to result from pairings between male sheep and female goats than male goats and…

Electrical netting refers to a flexible mesh that can be mounted on insulated posts and electrified. It is typically used as fencing for animals. It delivers a shock when they touch the netting.

Perimeter fencing is crucial around the boundaries of sheep farms and grazing areas. Susan Schoenian, Sheep & Goat Specialist at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education…

In the wild, sheep live outside year-round. But even wild sheep will seek a sheltered area to give birth to lambs. Most sheep handlers also find it easier to shear sheep in an enclosed location. There…

Large, firm hind leg muscles are desired in young market or show sheep.The leg of lamb meat cut is a product of the rear legs. Exercise helps to harden the finish (the fat cover over the muscle),…

Sheep provide soft, warm wool. Their fleece grows until it weighs down the sheep, causing a problem during warm weather. Sheep need to be cleaned. They also need to be sheared. These two processes are…

Building muscle in sheep is important when it comes to showing them and should be started when they are lambs. According to R. Kipp Brown with the University of Mississippi Extension Service, when a…

Distillers grain is the result of the distilling process in the form of a cereal product. The grain can be made by different industries like breweries or ethanol plants and can be bought for use in…

According to the manufacturer of DuFlex visual identification panel tags for sheep and goats, "since 1945, Destron Fearing has been a leader in livestock identification solutions that allow farmers,…

Shearing is the practice of cutting off something from an original structure. An example of shearing could be cutting someone's hair or an animal's coat.

Proper sheep fencing provides for better animal control. Sheep stay in the areas which you designate, allowing for improved parasite control and better pasture rotation. As well, diet can be…

If you have a pet alligator, lizard or turtle, you may want to consider placing it on the Mazuri Crocodilian diet. This food system provides the animal with the proper protein and energy levels for…

Sheepdogs are used to herd sheep in the direction that the sheep owners want the sheep to go. These sheepdogs are trained gradually and sometimes have to be retrained. However, when properly trained,…

Sheep shearing is the centuries-old practice of harvesting the fleece, or wool, that grows on sheep. The process is not painful to the animal and feels much like getting a haircut or manicure does to…

Shearing sheep allows you to harvest the wool while simultaneously making the sheep more comfortable for the summer. Depending on how many sheep you have, shearing can be a long, tiring event that…

An inevitable part of sheep ownership is shearing the sheep. Shearing a sheep can either be a smooth experience or a disaster depending on whether or not you have the right tools. Shearing tools can…

Chlamydia is a bacterial disease affecting sheep, goats, cattle and sometimes humans. The family of bacteria can cause various forms of infections in sheep. The most common symptoms associated with…

If you are preparing to show a sheep at a fair or other exhibition, chances are you have put a lot of time and hard work into your show animal. You will want your sheep to be in the greatest health…

Caseous lymphadenitis, commonly known as abscess, helps the body rid itself of infection that has usually acquired through a cut or a scratch. If an abscess forms on your animal, you may feel it as a…

Sheep lice affect the health of an entire flock. The most common sheep body louse, Boicola ovis, infects sheep throughout the world. Economic impacts include decreased wool prices and animal…

As with just about any animal, barnyard or household, sheep are susceptible to infection from internal parasites. These parasites come in a number of varieties, from a wide range of stomach worms to…

The muscular system of the sheep has much in common with that of all small ruminant species and closely resembles the musculature of all quadruped (four legged) mammals. Due to the sheep's use as a…

Meningitis is "an acute infection of the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid," according to Stephanie J. Buchholz RN, MSN of East Central College in Missouri. The meninges is a thin film surrounding the…

Many dog breeds fall into the "pastoral group" category, informing us that these dogs' instincts are finely tuned to movement of any kind. A good sheepdog will show a keeness of drive usually from a…

The Romney sheep breed, originally called the Romney Marsh, was first bred in the county of Kent in England. Kent is known for heavy rainfall and windy conditions, which results in lush pasture lands…

Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) is a bacterial disease of sheep and goats. CL causes abscesses (collections of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue) to form in the skin, lymph nodes and internal organs.…

Raw wool is a unique commodity, and it is important to care for it properly. Although it's fairly sturdy when it's on the sheep, wool requires more care after it is removed from the animals. It must…

Colic in sheep refers to any general abdominal pain, but one of the most common sources of colic is enterotoxemia, or overeating disease. This condition is caused by a bacteria found in soil and…

Cholesterol is an essential part of diets for humans and animals alike. Cholesterol is essential for helping cells build and maintain proper membrane structure and is necessary for proper production…

Sage oil has been used to help rid sheep of mild skin conditions when there is not a veterinarian nearby. Additionally, there is some evidence that topical preparations of sage oil can prevent tumors…

The barber pole worm is a blood sucking internal parasite that affects sheep. They often affect younger sheep and can cause potentially fatal anemia if left untreated. Barber pole worms infect the…

When raising sheep and goats, it is important to build and maintain proper fencing. Not only must the fencing keep the sheep and goats in, but it must also keep predators out. There are many fencing…

Orphaned or abandoned lambs occur every year for a wide variety of reasons. Many ewes will give birth to triplets or quadruplets and simply not have enough milk so they will abandon the baby or the…

All herding dogs were originally working dogs, used on farms to control both sheep and cattle. While many are still used in a working capacity, most dogs have become pets rather than workers. People…

Biology students often dissect sheep brains in order to understand the composition of the human brain. All mammalian brains are similar, and sheep brains serve as useful and readily available…

Many species of animal can suffer from colic. It's most commonly heard of in horses, but sheep can be affected as well. Colic in sheep is a serious issue and means that there is an underlying problem…

Hair loss on sheep is an indication of either insect infestation or disease and should be addressed as soon as the condition is identified.

Herding sheep is an instinct for many breeds of dogs, including German Shepherds, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds. Dogs are still used around the world on working farms to herd sheep, as a…

Deciding what and how to feed sheep isn't complicated once you review sheep nutritional needs and consider the best available ways to meet them. As ruminants---animals with multiple stomachs, and the…

Sheep netting is a light-weight fence used for protecting sheep from predators such as foxes and dogs. It comes in a variety of forms, including wire or steel and electrified fences.

Sheep are reasonably intelligent, despite caricatures to the contrary. Like most animals, their behavior has been shaped by centuries of interaction with friend and foe alike. Sheep will approach and…

If you want to knit a sweater or shawl or weave cloth from a sheep's fleece, you need to learn how to process raw wool. Processing fleeces by hand can take a long time, but it doesn't require any…

Shelled corn is an excellent source of usable energy for sheep. In fact, it provides more energy per pound than ground corn, wheat, grain and oats, which are all common food sources for sheep.…

Your decision to start or expand a sheep business should be based on business principles. Consider the price you'll have to pay for breeding stock and the price you'll get for lambs when you sell…

Whether you choose to raise sheep for meat, wool or hair, your flock will need a house to protect it from inclement weather. If you are just starting out with three or four sheep and not into breeding…

Electric-net sheep fencing is a sturdy fencing system that uses both netting and electricity to contain your sheep. The netting in this type of fence provides a visible barrier that discourages your…

Lanolin, the waxy oil that coats sheep wool, has many practical uses. It acts as a waterproofing agent, and it is naturally anti-fungal and antibacterial. Lanolin is similar to the oils secreted…

Farm animals need minerals to maintain health, produce meat and milk, and for reproduction. Major minerals are needed in large quantities by the body. Trace minerals are minerals needed in small…

Meningitis is a disease that is hallmarked by inflammation, or swelling, of the brain's mucous membranes such as the meninges, which are the three special membranes that encase the brain and spinal…

Known for their tendency to bolt through insecure fences when startled, sheep require a sturdy containment system that will keep them inside the fence and predators outside. Two popular sheep-fencing…

Sheep lice are common parasites that can quickly spread from one sheep to an entire flock. They lower quantity and quality of wool production and are difficult to eradicate. While there are no known…

Goats and sheep sometimes look quite similar, and their pregnancy and gestation are similar. Both have their breeding seasons in early fall, and both give birth in spring, with gestation periods…

Electric fences are a popular containment system for farm animals because they can be erected quickly with much less effort than traditional wood post or frame fences and cover a lot of ground for…

According to Beverly Lambert, a dog trainer, individuals must get their puppies used to all different environments, dogs and animals. She also recommends keeping the puppies around sheep and grown…

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain the basics of sheep breeding in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain the difference between sheep and goats in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain when to shear your sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain how to buy sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain how to spot diseases in your sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm provide important tips about raising sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain how to handle sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain the difference between types of sheep wool in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm provide important information about sheep wool in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain the difference between types of sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain how to feed sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain why people raise sheep in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain sheep digestion in this free online video.

Watch a naturalist from the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm explain basic facts about sheep in this free online video.

Sheep have more breeds than any other type of farm animal. There are thousands of breeds around the world, and about 40 distinct breeds in the U.S. The breeds are differentiated by the type of wool…

Sheep are gregarious, which means that they are social animals that are happiest in a group. If you want to raise sheep you should have at least four or five of them. There are many different breeds…

Sheep are easy targets for carnivorous predators such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, dogs and bears. Sheep are so vulnerable because they don't have any means of protecting themselves other than to gather…

Keeping a pet sheep can be a rewarding experience and a great tool for teaching children responsibility and respect for animals. Sheep kept as pets should be females or neutered males. They should not…

Breed your sheep to match market demands for their meat, wool and other sheep related products. Select sheep that are good at taking care of lambs and other sheep. Also chose sheep with body strength…

Buying a sheep farm can be a great experience. Sheep farming is always a good way to make money whether as sole income or supplemental earnings. The wool from sheep is used in a variety of industries…

Compared to other animals sheep are relatively easy to raise if you choose the right breed. You will still have to devote some time each day to tend your sheep. However, that small amount of time can…

Vaccines protect the sheep against bacteria and virus infections or diseases. They help the body's immune system develop antibodies to reduce the occurrence of certain types of illness. Vaccinate…