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SHEEP<br>Sheep are closely related to other farm livestock, especially goats. The life expectancy of sheep is 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.
SHEEP
Sheep are closely related to other farm livestock, especially goats. The life expectancy of sheep is 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 an ewe’s productivity is usually highest between three and five years of age and usually begins to decline after the age of seven. 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, 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 an ewe to be productive past 10 years of age, if she is well-fed and managed and stays healthy and sound. The approximate age of a sheep can be determined by examining upper incisor teeth.
SHEEP’S TEETH
At birth, lambs have eight baby (or milk) teeth or temporary incisors arranged on their lower jaw. They do not 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 two, the second pair is replaced by permanent incisors. At three and four 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.
PECULIARITIES
Head butting is both a natural and learned behaviour in sheep. Contestive head butting is a carry-over from when sheep ran wild and from those that still do. Since only the dominant rams get to mate with the ewes, a ram must fight to earn this privilege. Classic head butting among rams is highest during the rutting season which precedes the onset of estrus activity in ewes. It is a way for rams to get into physical shape for the breeding season and to establish (or re-establish) the dominance hierarchy. To discourage butting, you should avoid petting or scratching a ram on the head. The ram may see this as a challenge or aggressive behaviour.
Sheep are closely related to other farm livestock, especially goats. The life expectancy of sheep is 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 an ewe’s productivity is usually highest between three and five years of age and usually begins to decline after the age of seven. 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, 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 an ewe to be productive past 10 years of age, if she is well-fed and managed and stays healthy and sound. The approximate age of a sheep can be determined by examining upper incisor teeth.
SHEEP’S TEETH
At birth, lambs have eight baby (or milk) teeth or temporary incisors arranged on their lower jaw. They do not 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 two, the second pair is replaced by permanent incisors. At three and four 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.
PECULIARITIES
Head butting is both a natural and learned behaviour in sheep. Contestive head butting is a carry-over from when sheep ran wild and from those that still do. Since only the dominant rams get to mate with the ewes, a ram must fight to earn this privilege. Classic head butting among rams is highest during the rutting season which precedes the onset of estrus activity in ewes. It is a way for rams to get into physical shape for the breeding season and to establish (or re-establish) the dominance hierarchy. To discourage butting, you should avoid petting or scratching a ram on the head. The ram may see this as a challenge or aggressive behaviour.