Profitability is tied to flock
management. Successful sheep producers keep abreast of marketing
strategies; new developments in management, nutrition, health,
genetics, and reproduction; and maintain accurate records. Health
programs should be developed, implemented, and maintained under
the consultation of a veterinarian.
Shelter: Sheep can withstand
considerable cold provided protection from wind and a dry bedding
area are provided. If sheds are provided, ensure they are well
ventilated and floors (or ground) are able to drain. To prevent
injuries from crowding, gates and doors should be 10 to 12 ft
wide. Keep pens, lots, pastures, etc. free of debris that could
injure feet and udders. Entrances to buildings/sheds should not
require ewes to jump over a sill, which could injure udders. Space
requirements are given in Table 1.
Table 1 Typical Space
Requirements for Commercial Sheep Breeding Herd
Feeder Space
Group-fed
16-20 inches/ewe
Self-fed
8-10 inches/ewe for hay; 10-12 inches for
silage/ewe
Creep Feed
1-1.5 inches/lamb
Water
Automatic bowl
40-50 ewes or ewes with lambs
Tank
15-25 ewes or ewes with lambs per foot of tank
perimeter
Shelter Space
Open-front building with lot
10-12 sq. ft./ewe; 12-16 sq. ft./ewe and lamb
Lot
25-40 sq. ft./ewe or ewe and lambs
Water Source:
Provide an unlimited supply of clean, fresh water.
Stale, stagnant water sources discourage water consumption. Feed
consumption can be reduced if water intake is limited. Regardless
of water system, it should be capable of supplying three gallons
per head daily.
Open tank – One linear ft per 15
head.
Automatic water bowl – One bowl per
40 head.
Shade:
During hot weather, sheep need six to eight ft of shade per head.
If natural shade is not available, provide artificial shades eight
to 10 feet above ground surface.
Shearing: Shearing ewes two to
four weeks prior to lambing will eliminate the need to tag ewes.
Shelter should be available to shorn ewes during cold weather.
Additional feed (energy) may also be needed. To encourage physical
and sexual activity and possibly fertility, rams should be shorn
six weeks before the breeding season. Shear feeder lambs during
the grow-finish period. Shearing during hot weather will help
improve feed consumption and lamb performance.
Hoof Trimming: To prevent
serious hoof problems, trim hoofs if necessary and keep
pasture/range or lots free of wet/muddy areas where sheep
congregate. Inspect feet when shearing and prior to the breeding
season.
Grazing: Sheep are exceptional
grazers. While grass or legume pastures provide excellent forage,
browse (broad-leafed woody plant, shrub, bush, or smaller trees)
comprise a major portion of sheep diets when on range. Forbs
(broad-leafed, herbaceous plants) are also readily consumed by
sheep. Carrying capacity of pasture/range varies greatly depending
on condition of land and quality of forages. An acre of
well-managed, properly rotated grass-legume pasture in the Midwest
can support up to six ewes and lambs; whereas more then six acres
may be required in western areas to support one ewe/lamb pair.
Pasture rotation can be incorporated into the sheep production
system. The benefits include more forage yield and reduction in
internal parasite load on pastures, which lessens reinfection
rates.
Health Programs: An effective
health program is essential to the economic sustainability of a
sheep operation. Sheep are susceptible to numerous health
challenges, some of which are nutritionally induced (such as
pregnancy toxemia in ewes and acidosis in feeder lambs) while
others are infectious diseases that require biosecurity
precautions to prevent transmission. Sheep producers are strongly
urged to consult with a veterinarian in the development and
implementation of a disease prevention program. One aspect of a
health program targets internal/external parasite control. A
three-phase program will help achieve parasite control:
Utilize pasture rotation
Strategically deworm ewes/lambs
Control external parasites by
dipping or dusting
Sheep and lambs over one month of age
should be dewormed in the spring prior to pasturing and again in
the fall after the first hard freeze. If sheep are allowed to
continuously graze short pasture, a mid-summer deworming is
strongly suggested. Under some circumstances (crowding, wet
pastures, etc.), frequent deworming may be needed.
