Introduction to Raising Healthy Sheep (A3858-02)

Introduction

Since the end of World War II, the number of sheep in the United States has declined from an all-time high of 51 million in 1941 to 5 million in 2016. Several factors have contributed to this sharp decline, including competition from other meat and fiber industries.

The sheep industry is changing—increasing numbers of sheep are now being raised on small farms instead of large ranches. The decline in the number of sheep is slowing, and new emerging specialty markets, such as “locally grown” food, high-quality sheep cheese, and specialty wools offer new possibilities for the industry.

Ethnic consumers represent 35 percent of the US population, yet account for 58 percent of the total lamb consumption in the US. If the current ethnic growth rate continues, lamb demand will grow exponentially. Sheep or goat is a meat of choice for Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Asian consumers who eat lamb more than once per week when it is available.

Breeds

Selecting the right breed depends on shepherds’ interests, experience, and production goals. Sheep are used for meat, milk, and wool products, as well as environmental services such as grazing for brush management. There is no single “right” breed to select; some breeds are highly specialized for milk production or quality wool. Connecting with different breeders can help determine which breed best fits a given situation.   

Breeds raised primarily for meat are Suffolk, Hampshire, Texel, Dorset, and Southdown. The most common hair breeds are Katahdin, Dorper, and St. Croix. Hair sheep are also raised for meat production, but do not require annual shearing. Breeds raised primarily for wool are Lincoln, Romney, Merino, and Rambouillet. Breeds that excel in both meat and wool are Columbia, Finnsheep, Polypay, and Targhee. For milking, the best breeds are East Fresian and Lacaune.

Health and Biosecurity

Biosecurity involves taking measures to prevent the introduction and spread of disease agents to and from animal populations. There are three components of biosecurity:

• Isolation or quarantine: confining newly introduced and infected animals away from healthy animals
• Traffic control: navigating infected animals away from healthy animals
• Sanitation/husbandry: managing cleanliness and care of animals and their environment

Diseases can be introduced to a flock in several ways, the most common being through new animal additions or after sheep intermix with other sheep at a show or county fair. Visitors from another sheep operation can also introduce or bring home diseases from a farm and should wear clean footwear or disposable boots when visiting. Sheep producers should work with a veterinarian to design a biosecurity protocol for their flock.

Foot rot is an infectious and contagious disease, causing severe lameness and economic loss for sheep. Uninfected sheep may be exposed to foot rot when walking through manure or bedding that contains manure. Foot rot can be introduced to a flock through new sheep that have a previously unknown history of the disease. This can happen when these sheep commingle with another flock. Additionally, exposure may occur at shows and fairs, during transport in contaminated trailers, or through the shoes of other farmers who have foot rot in their flocks and subsequently visit a different property.

Sore mouth is a zoonotic sheep disease, meaning it can be transmitted to people. It is typically seen on the lips, muzzle, and mouth of sheep. Lambs can transmit this virus to a ewe’s teats, and shepherds often find it on their hands. Fortunately, sheep can be vaccinated against sore mouth.  

Another health concern for sheep is internal parasites. The barber pole worm and other parasites reside in forages that sheep graze. Areas that experience significant rainfall tend to have higher occurrences of parasite problems. To disrupt the life cycle of parasites, anthelmintics (dewormers) are used to treat sheep. Anthelmintics are most effective when used in combination with pasture management strategies. It is common to deworm sheep during the months of parasite exposure. Lambs on pasture are more susceptible to parasites than adults.

When done without cause, deworming can quickly result in sheep developing a parasite resistance to the dewormer, rendering it ineffective. The decision to deworm should be based on parasite load, which can be determined by a FAffa MAlan CHArt (FAMACHA) score using the Five Point Check. This chart helps determine if a sheep is being affected by parasites and if deworming is needed. Another method to check for parasites is a fecal egg count (FEC) laboratory test. This test determines the number of worm eggs in a fecal sample. Additional lab tests are used to identify the parasite and determine the course of treatment.

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting a sheep’s central nervous system, damaging nerve cells in the brain, and causing behavioral changes. Early indicators of scrapie include hopping like a rabbit, stepping high on forelegs (steppage gait), swaying of the back end (swayback), and other gait abnormalities. Clinical signs of scrapie include tremors and rubbing on fences or buildings for no apparent reason. Note, however, that sheep may rub against facilities due to external parasites irritating the skin, and not because they have scrapie. Scrapie is a reportable disease, and the United States Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has a National Scrapie Eradication Program. Testing for scrapie is difficult and involves sampling brain tissue. If scrapie is suspected in a flock, contact a veterinarian immediately. State departments of agriculture have programs available to identify and mark infected sheep with a distinctive scrapie ear tag. Contact a local state office to obtain ear tags and additional information.

Vaccinations are an inexpensive and highly effective means to prevent disease. Vaccinating ewes prior to lambing provides passive immunity to lambs through colostrum. Clostridia vaccines (CD/T) help prevent tetanus and overeating disease. Particularly, CD/T protects lambs from tetanus that may develop after tail docking or castration and provides early protection. Lambs require vaccination to prevent overeating disease as they get older and before they are placed on a grain diet. Consult with a veterinarian about other endemic diseases.

Docking

Tails on wooled sheep are docked to prevent flystrike. Flystrike occurs when parasites and diarrhea accumulate on a lamb’s wool, allowing blowflies to lay eggs in the manure and wool of a sheep’s dock area. Maggots hatch from the eggs and feed on the sheep’s flesh. By docking a lamb at an early age, flystrike can usually be prevented. Lambs should be docked within the first two weeks after birth. The earlier the lamb is docked, the less stressful it is on the animal. To ensure proper tail length, the tail should be removed below the caudal fold, where no hair or wool grows on the underside of the tail. Docking a tail too short increases the chance of rectal prolapse. In most cases, short-tailed sheep breeds with less wool under their tails and hair sheep do not need to be docked.

Docking tools include an elastrator or a docker knife. The elastrator stretches a very small rubber band (elastrator band) around the tail. The band restricts circulation, and the area below the band will atrophy and fall off a few weeks after the band is placed. This is the least stressful method for lambs under a week of age. A docker knife is used like scissors to dock the tail. There are two types of docker knives: electric and non-electric. The electric model cauterizes the tail and seals the open wound. Both electric and non-electric docker knives can also be used for castrating ram lambs before they are two weeks old.

Shearing

Wooled sheep must be shorn at least once a year. Lambs born to ewes with long wool may struggle to find the udder to nurse, so a common time to shear is shortly before the ewe gives birth. It is important to note that if lambing and shearing are done in winter months, ewes must be provided with enough shelter to stay warm. Shorn sheep that are exposed to cold weather will also increase their feed intake. Shearing sheep is labor-intensive, physically demanding, and requires extensive skill, so it is best for shepherds to rely on a professional until they learn the skills to shear a sheep. Some universities offer beginning shearing schools, and professional sheep shearers are available to assist with shearing. Many shepherds, if not interested in wool, choose to raise hair breeds which shed some or all their “wool” each spring. 

Hoof Trimming

Hoof maintenance is very important for sheep, as it allows them to effectively walk and graze. Depending on the animal, hooves may require trimming two or more times each year. While some sheep will wear down their hooves from everyday walking, others will need regular trimming. Trimming hooves is a skill that requires training and must be done correctly. Incorrectly trimming a hoof can cause severe pain to sheep and, in some cases, lameness. Shepherds should complete a hoof trimming class or learn from an expert before attempting to trim a hoof on their own. Hoof trimming tools are inexpensive and can be purchased at a local farm supply store.

Body Condition Score

Body condition score (BCS) is a visual assessment of the amount of fat and muscle on an animal. It is also a management tool that can be used to determine animal health and nutrition quality. Sheep BCS can range from one to five, where a severely emaciated animal would score a one and a morbidly obese animal would score a five. A ewe’s BCS will change throughout the year depending on the stage of production. Healthy sheep will have a BCS between two and four.

Facilities

Housing

In many environments, sheep perform well outdoors and do not require much shelter. When lambing, having shelter for ewes and lambs is advisable. Most sheep are seasonal breeders, lambing in winter and spring, but some breeds are nonseasonal and can lamb in any month. Winter and early spring lambing require protection from snow, draft, and cold rain on newborn lambs, with a structure such as an open-sided shed. Winter lambing requires a more enclosed barn, but it must have fresh airflow to avoid pneumonia. Ewes are housed together prior to lambing, so a covered, draft-free area is beneficial for lambing. To establish a maternal bond, a ewe with new lambs is often placed in a lambing jug, which is an individual pen of approximately 16 to 20 square feet, for one to three days. Lambing in mid to late spring through fall can be done on pasture with minimal facilities.

Table 1. Space requirements for sheep. (Hirning, Faller, Hoppe, Nudell, & Ricketts, 1994)

	Dirt lot (feet/head)	Open shed (feet/head)	Confinement (dirt floor) (feet/head)	Confinement (slatted floors) (feet/head)
Bred ewe	20	8	12–16	8–10
Ewe with lambs	25	12	16–20	10–12
Ram	20	8	20–30	14–20
Feeder lamb	15–20	6	8–10	4–6

Feeding/Loafing Lots

Since many ewes are pregnant during winter months when animals are typically housed indoors, it is important to supply them with adequate space to reduce injury or stress. Ewes housed indoors require 12 to 16 square feet of space per animal, and ewes with lambs need 16 to 20 square feet per litter. Ewes housed in an outdoor lot require 20 square feet per ewe, and ewes with lambs require 25 square feet per litter. Weaned feeder lambs housed in a barn require six square feet per animal, and feeder lambs housed in a lot require 15 to 20 square feet per animal.

Sheep Feeders

To reduce feed waste and the risk of spreading diseases, avoid feeding sheep directly on the ground. Using a well-designed feed bunk minimizes feed waste and reduces the risk of disease while providing adequate access to feed. For shepherd safety, access to feeders from outside the pen is ideal.

Adequate space for bunk feeding is crucial for the proper growth and nutrition of animals. Larger and/or older ewes may crowd smaller, more timid sheep or ewes with lambs. In a group-fed or self-fed situation, ewes require between eight to 20 inches of feed bunk space per animal, depending on the feed type. Self-feeding hay will require less feed bunk space (eight to 10 inches per animal), while silage requires more feed bunk space of 12 to 20 inches. Group-fed ewes require 16 to 20 inches of feeder space per head.

Creep feeding areas are designed to allow access for lambs and restrict access to ewes. The creep area is used to feed lambs a specialized feed, giving them an area to rest and learn how to eat solid feed. Creep-fed lambs require one to one and a half inches of bunk space per animal. Older lambs fed with a self-feeder will require three to four inches per animal.

Fence

Shepherds have many choices of fencing options for sheep. Effective fencing for sheep keeps the animals in a defined area and discourages predators. A high-tensile electric fence is an effective perimeter fence to install around grazing areas. A minimum of five strands of wire should be used, with wire spacings of approximately six, five, eight, and 10 inches. Other fence types include woven wire and a six-wire or more barbed fence. Woven wire used in combination with an offset electric fence is another option.

The exterior perimeter fence on a farm should be permanent, and perimeter electric wire can be installed approximately six to 10 inches above the ground. If this option is chosen, the surrounding grass must be kept clear of the fence to prevent grounding. Similarly, wool that may become wrapped around the electric fence must be checked for and removed. Interior paddocks can be subdivided with three to four strands of high-tensile electric, portable electric poly wire, or electrified netting.

Sheep Nutrition

General

Feed represents 50 to 70% of the total annual costs of owning sheep. Depending on the operation style and feed, nutrient requirements for sheep will vary. Operations that manage sheep at basic levels can care for animals with minimal input by incorporating pasture, dry hay for winter feeding, and some supplemental grains. More intensively managed sheep, such as sheep for milk production or market lambs, are often fed for high production rates. Such management practices include feeding high-quality haylage, corn silage, and grains.

The key to a successful sheep operation is providing appropriate forage for each production stage and ensuring access to clean, fresh water. A sheep’s water requirements vary depending on the stage of production, sex, weight, and environmental conditions such as temperature. These factors are in a constant state of change, and the diet must be adjusted accordingly.

Sheep are highly efficient at absorbing and storing copper in their liver. If sheep develop stress from transportation, nutrition, weather, etc., they can release the excess copper into the bloodstream, which destroys red blood cells and causes anemia and death. Sheep should only have access to sheep minerals that have been formulated with low levels of added copper.

Ewe and Ram Nutrition

Ewes have specific nutritional needs depending on the season and stage of production. Ewe nutrition can be divided into the following phases of gestation:

• “Flushing” or the pre-breeding season
• Early gestation phase and maintenance  
• Late gestation or the last four to six weeks before lambing
• Lactation or the six weeks after lambing

Flushing involves supplying a ewe with fresh pasture or supplementing her with one-half to one pound of grain per day, two weeks before the breeding season, and continuing two to four weeks into the breeding season. Flushing can improve ovulation and conception rates among ewes. This practice works effectively for ewes with a lower body condition score (BCS), but not for over-conditioned ewes.

During early gestation and maintenance, when the ewe is not lactating, she can be fed medium to low quality forage, salt and mineral, and plenty of water. During this time, it is also essential to treat her for internal parasites if needed. During late gestation, mineral feeding is critical as the ewe prepares for lambing and lactation. Forage quality should be increased, and supplemental grains may be added to the diet to help with adequate fetal growth.

In the last 30 days of pregnancy, most energy in the diet goes towards fetal development. Heavy grain feeding at this point may result in larger lambs and more difficult births. Ewes should gain between 0.3 to 0.5 pounds per day during late gestation. Low BCS and inadequate nutrition lead to weakened ewes that produce poor colostrum and low milk production. Low BCS ewes can also give birth to weak lambs and demonstrate poor mothering abilities. Subsequently, this may lead to the death of lambs, and the ewe in extreme cases.

During lactation, ewes can receive a diet similar to what is fed during late gestation. It is important to supply ewes with adequate nutrition depending on how many lambs she is raising.

Table 2. Nutrient Requirements of Ewes at Different Stages of Production (NRC 2007)

	Body Weight (pounds)	Avg. Daily Gain (pounds)	Dry Matter (pounds/head)	% Body Weight	Total Protein (pounds)	TDN (pounds)
Dry Ewe Maintenance	132	.02	2.4	1.8	.23	1.3
Dry Ewe Maintenance	176	.02	2.9	1.6	.27	1.6
Flushing (pre breeding)	132	.22	3.7	2.8	.34	2.2
Flushing (pre breeding)	176	.22	4.2	2.4	.38	2.5
Last 4 weeks of gestation	132	.40	3.7	2.8	.4	2.2
Last 4 weeks of gestation	176	.40	4.2	2.4	.44	2.4
1st 6 weeks of lactation with twins	132	-0.13	5.7	4.3	.89	3.7
1st 6 weeks of lactation with twins	176	-0.13	6.6	3.8	.96	4.3

Rams are only used for short periods during the breeding season. Most of the year, when not breeding, they are on a maintenance diet; however, during the breeding season, they are extremely active and may lose body weight. Obese rams may experience difficulty with the rigors of the breeding season, while thin rams may lose too much weight and be unable to breed as many ewes. Rams should be maintained at a BCS of three to four.

Water

It is essential to provide plenty of fresh, clean water to sheep. During late gestation and through lactation, ewes must have fresh water daily. While there are many options for providing water, the most common are automatic bowls (with and without heaters) and galvanized or poly tanks. One automatic water bowl can water 40 to 50 ewes (with or without lambs) or 50 to 75 weaned feeder lambs. If animals are watered from a tank, the tank perimeter must allow access without becoming crowded during periods of restricted access. A float can be used to maintain the water level and amount, but if a tank is used without a water float, it needs to provide approximately two gallons per head per day.

Use a tank that is the correct height for lambs so they can access the water without choking themselves when they drink. In the winter months, fresh, loose snow can substitute for water, but hard-packed snow and ice may not provide enough water. To prevent water in the tank from freezing in the winter, a simple tank heater can be purchased from a local farm supply store. Sheep can also use streams as a water source if it is flowing and clean. 

Pasture

Quality pasture can meet the nutritional needs of ewes and lambs with little to no supplementation. Sheep require little shelter because their wool insulates them; even hair sheep grow a dense undercoat for winter. To protect themselves from the environment, sheep tend to take advantage of natural windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, and hills. Windbreaks should be constructed in an open field if there are none. Simple windbreaks such as large round bales or hay feeders work well. Other windbreaks can be permanently installed in the pasture, which may include sheets of plywood or sheet metal sturdily mounted to the ground.

Reproduction

Depending on the goals of a flock, breeding programs will vary. Sheep can be raised for wool, meat, milk, or brush control. If lambs are raised for meat, “commercial ewes” are commonly found in flocks. Such ewes are typically not registered and usually crossbred. A good commercial ewe will have a pedigree of maternal traits such as large litter size and milking ability. A mature ram can breed a group of 35 to 50 ewes per season. For farms planning to raise market lambs, a “terminal sire” will be used to mate with the commercial ewes. If sheep are raised for wool, both purebred and crossbred wool breeds are the best choice. Commercial and purebred sheep can be sourced through state or national sheep breeders’ associations.

Colostrum, or the first milk produced by a ewe after lambing, is critical to the newborn lamb. This milk is very high in fat (energy) content and possesses antibodies that provide passive immunity to the lamb. The best way to warm a newborn lamb is with an adequate supply of colostrum from the ewe. Ensure the ewe is in adequate body condition and its teats are clean and easily accessible to the lamb.

If lambing during winter, a warming lamp properly mounted away from hay, straw, and excessive dust can also be supplied in the pen. Warming lamps can be a potential fire hazard, so it is important to follow proper mounting instructions when installing. Warming lamps should be used sparingly and only for assisting in drying off lambs. Excessive use of warming lamps creates a microclimate conducive to viral and bacterial pathogens that may create respiratory problems in the lambs.

Understanding sheep breeding cycles is crucial for a productive flock. Below are some key points to sheep reproduction:  

• The age of a ewe lamb at puberty varies depending on breed, nutrition, and the season in which she was born. 
• A typical ewe lamb will reach puberty between five months and one year of age.
• A ewe lamb should not be bred until she reaches at least 60 to 70% of her mature weight. This will vary depending on breed.
• The estrus cycle ranges from 13 to 19 days and averages 17 days (meaning a ewe will come into heat about every 17 days). 
• A sheep’s gestation period is approximately 145 to 147 days, but this will vary depending on the breed. 
• Most ewes will have one to three lambs per litter (per year). Some ewes may have up to four or five lambs, depending on the breed.

Manure Management

Livestock producers are responsible for properly and safely disposing of manure. Because many sheep spend most of their life on pasture, sheep act as natural manure spreaders, meaning the build-up of manure is minimal. There are certain situations in which sheep are confined, and manure may build up. Confinement situations may occur when sheep are penned for handling, lambing, or winter feeding.

For smaller farms, spreading solid manure does not require special permits or restrictions for proper disposal. When solid manure is spread, avoid doing so near known sinkholes, during rain, near permanent and intermittent bodies of water, and on steep frozen or snow-covered land grades. Composting manure is another effective manure management method. Properly composted manure reduces volume, kills weed seeds, and kills some pathogens. Contact a local county land and water conservation office for further assistance on manure spreading guidelines.

Behavior/Handling

Review the following tips for sheep behavior and handling:

• Sheep have a flocking instinct and tend to move as one large group.
• Sheep do not like to be separated from the group and aggressively attempt to return to the flock.
• To reduce stress, moving the animals should be done quietly and calmly. Do not yell at or hit sheep.
• Electric prods should never be used on sheep.
• If a dog is used to herd animals, ensure it is well-trained and does not bite the sheep.
• To reduce stress and confusion in the animals, “test runs” of handling equipment can be beneficial.
• Sheep should be funneled gradually into lanes and loading chutes to reduce tight confinement.
• Facilities and loading chutes should be well-lit and free from shadows. This helps reduce balking caused by reflections and bright spots.
• Sheep move more easily from dark areas into lighter areas and will balk when moving from a light to a dark space. 
• Single-file pathways prevent sheep from attempting to turn around or bunch up.
• As sheep prefer to move uphill in raceways, inclines should be gradual.
• Sheep will follow other sheep in front of them when in handling pathways. Curved pathways enable sheep to move forward without seeing working areas or chutes until they are very close. It is important for the curves in these pathways to be gradual so that they do not appear to be dead ends.
• Sheep instinctively move into the wind. When determining where to locate watering facilities and working areas, keep in mind that sheep prefer to move according to instinct.
• Sheep are versatile and easily fit into operations of any scale. Whether sheep are raised for meat, fiber, milk, show, or pets, be sure to select the animals that fit your needs and resources.