Sheep

Terms Ewe – female with lambs Ewe lamb – young female Ram – intact male Lamb – baby Wether – castrated male

Background & Uses 1st domesticated meat species ~1.7 pounds of lamb is consumed per person, per year in the United States Used for several purposes: Meat – coarse black wool Wool – finer white wool Dual Purpose – white wool with better meat than most wool breeds

Breeds Rambouillet – dual purpose Columbia – dual purpose Dorset - meat Columbia – dual purpose Suffolk – meat Hampshire – meat Merino – wool

Growth Gestation: 5 months Lambing in spring or fall 1-4 lambs born at a time; twinning common Colostrum needed Identification: ear tags, ear tattoos, paint brands Tail docking: between 3 days and 6 weeks of age; keeps rump clean, makes lambing easier for ewes, standard practice Shear at least once a year

Products Chewing Gum Insulation Lanolin Meat Wool – Creams & lotions Sweaters, coats, scarves, rugs, suits, etc. Cosmetics Chewing Gum Insulation Lanolin Creams & lotions Cosmetics & make up Shampoo & conditioner Meat Rib chops, roasts, stew, spareribs, loin chops & roasts, leg roasts….