How Long Do Sheep Live?
And Other Basic Facts
About Sheep
Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated. Sheep and goats are tied for second and third. Sheep were totally domesticated. The sheep of today has evolved through thousands of generations of human contact. |
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Typically, the life expectancy of animals increases with size. For example, cows usually live longer than sheep. The life expectancy of sheep is similar to dogs, somewhere between 10 and 20 years. The average is about 10 to 12 years. However, the length of a sheep's productive life tends to be much less. This is because a ewe's productivity usually peaks between 3 and 6 years of age and usually begins to decline after age 7. As a result, most ewes are removed from the flock before they are 10 years old. In harsh environments, ewes are usually culled at a younger age because once their teeth start breaking down, it is difficult for them to maintain their body condition. It is possible fo ewes to be productive past 10 years of age, if they are well fed and managed and stay healthy.
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The
approximate age of sheep can be determined by the teeth, as illustrated
above. At birth, lambs have eight milk teeth, or temporary
incisors, arranged in four pairs on the lower jaw. The central
pair of temporary incisor teeth is shed and replaced by
the permanent teeth at approximately 1 year of age. At 2 years,
the second pair of milk teeth is replaced by a pair of permanent
incisors. At 3 and 4 years, the third and fourth pairs of permanent
teeth appear. At 4 years of age the sheep has a "full mouth."
When a ewe loses some of her incisor teeth, she is called a "broken
mouth." When she loses all of her teeth she is called a "gummer."
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 A sheep's normal body temperature is 102 to 103°F |
Vital
Signs A sheep's vital signs can help determine whether it is sick.
Heart and respiration rates are faster in lambs than sheep. You can also listen to the sounds of the sheep's rumen (using a stethoscope) to find out how it is doing. Rumen sounds or movement should occur one to two times per minute. |
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"Cast" Sheep A sheep that has rolled over on its back is called a "cast" sheep. It may not be able to get up. It happens mostly with short, stocky sheep with heavy fleeces on flat terrain. Heavily pregnant ewes are most prone. Cast sheep become distressed and can die within a short time if not rolled back into a normal position. When back on their feet they may need to be supported for a few minutes before release to ensure they are steady.
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A cast sheep can die. |
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Click
HERE to learn about normal
sheep behavior.
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Last updated 17-Dec-2006 by Susan Schoenian.
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