Basic information about sheep


• Taxonomy.
  Taxonomy is the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of origin, structure, etc. Sheep are closely related to other farm livestock, especially goats.
  
  

  Taxonomy of sheep
  Kingdom	Animalia	Animal
  Phylum	Chordata	Vertabrae (has spinal cord)
  Sub-phylum	Vertibrata
  Class	Mammalia	Mammal (nurses young)
  Order	Ungulata	Hoofed animal
  Sub-order	Artiodactyla	Even toed
  Family	Bovidae	Hollow horns
  Sub-family	Caprinae	Sheep and goats
  Genus	Ovis	Sheep
  Species	Aries	Domestic sheep

  
  
  
• Early domestication
  Domestication is when an organism is trained or adapted to live with people. Domestication often changes the appearance and behavior of the organism. While dogs were the first animal to be domesticated, sheep and goats are tied for second. It is not known which one was domesticated first.
  
  
  
• Life expectancy
  Life expectancy is how long an organism is expected to live. Typically, the life expectancy of an animal increases with size. For example, cows usually live longer than sheep. The life expectancy of sheep is similar to large breeds of dogs, 10 to 20 years. The average is 10 to 12 years. However, the length of a sheep's productive lifetime tends to be much less. This is because a ewe's productivity is usually highest between 3 and 6 years of age and usually begins to decline after the age of 7. As a result, most ewes are removed from a flock before they would reach their natural life expectancy. It is also necessary to get rid of older ewes in order to make room for younger ones.
  
  In harsher environments (e.g. where forage is sparse), ewes are usually culled at a younger age because once their teeth start to wear and break down, it is difficult for them to maintain their body condition. It is possible for a ewe to be productive past 10 years of age, if she is well-fed and managed and stays healthy and sound.
  
  
  
• Aging sheep
  The approximate age of a sheep can be determined by examining upper incisor teeth. At birth, lambs have eight baby (or milk) teeth or temporary incisors arranged on their lower jaw. They don't have any teeth on their top jaw, only a dental pad.
  
  At approximately one year of age, the central pair of baby teeth is replaced by a pair of permanent incisors. At age 2, the second pair is replaced by permanent incisors. At 3 and 4 years, the third and fourth pairs of baby teeth are replaced.
  
  At approximately four years of age, a sheep has a full mouth of teeth. As she ages past four, her incisor teeth will start to spread, wear, and eventually break. When she's lost some of her teeth, she's called a "broken mouth" ewe. When she's lost all her teeth, she's called a "gummer."
  
  
  
• Cast sheep
  A sheep that has rolled over onto its back is called a "cast" sheep. It may not be able to get up without assistance. It happens most commonly with short, stocky sheep with full fleeces on flat terrain. Heavily pregnant ewes are most prone. Cast sheep can become distressed and die within a short period of time if they are not rolled back into a normal position. When back on their feet, they may need supported for a few minutes to ensure they are steady.
  
  
  
• A sheep's vital signs can help determine if it is sick.
  
  

  Sign	Range
  Body temperature	102-103°F
  Heart rate	60-90 beats/minute
  Respiration	12-20 breaths/minute

  
  
  Learn about normal sheep behavior=>
  
  
  <= ABOUT SHEEP
  
  
  

Last updated 12-Dec-2009
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