Breeding Sheep Essentials

1. Breeding Sheep Essentials Texas 4-H and Youth Development

2. Topics to Discuss The following topics will be discussed: • Selection • Facilities and Equipment • Nutrition • Health • Fitting and Showing Texas 4-H and Youth Development

3. Selection Breeds • Choice of wooled breeding sheep (Columbia, Corriedale, Delaine-Merino, and Rambouillet), medium wool breeding sheep (Dorset, Hampshire, Southdown, and Suffolk), or hair breeding sheep (Dorper and Royal White). • Major shows that have breeding sheep shows: State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, San Angelo Livestock Show, and Houston Livestock Show. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

4. Selection • Breeds Texas 4-H and Youth Development

5. Selection cont. Age • Divided into classes based on teeth.(rules vary) • Some times they are shown according to age on registration papers. • Generally three age divisions: Lamb, two-tooth(yearling), four to six-tooth(aged) • Sheep with more than six permanent teeth may not exhibit Texas 4-H and Youth Development

6. Selection cont. Quality Considerations • The following considerations should be taken when selecting a sheep: • Structural correctness • Growth • Muscle • Breed and sex characteristics • Approx. 40-50% of evaluation of wooled breeding sheep is on fleece • Little emphasis placed on wool in medium and hair breeding sheep. • Wool characteristics to watch: lbs of wool, grade and uniformity of grade, length, density, character, belly wool, wool blindness, hairy britch Texas 4-H and Youth Development

7. Selection cont. Shearing guidelines • Apply primarily to wooled breeding sheep • Most shows require Rambouillet, Columbia, and Corriedale sheep to be shorn on or after October 20th of the calendar year preceding the show. • Rambouillet with staple length in excess of 2 inches will be disqualified • Delaine-Merino sheep aged(4 to 6 tooth) sheep only must be shorn to the skin on or before March 15, of the calendar year preceding the show. • Many shows require medium wool to be slick shorn above the knee and hock joint Texas 4-H and Youth Development

8. Selection cont. Ownership • All sheep must be registered in the Handbook of their Association in the name of the Junior owner on or before November 1, the preceding year. • Open shows require ownership in Handbook of Association 30 days prior to the show. • State Fair of Texas requires ownership 90 days prior to show Texas 4-H and Youth Development

9. Facilities and Equipment • Minimum space of 500 ft2 of pen space and 30 ft2 of shelter space per sheep is recommended • Should be well drained. • Pen height should be at least 42 inches to discourage jumping and predators • Can be hand-fed or self-fed • If hand-feeding allow for 1 1/2 linear feet of trough space per sheep • If self-feeding allow for 6-8 inches of trough space per sheep • Access to clean water most important when feeding. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

10. Nutrition • No particular feed that should be fed • Sheep must have basic daily nutritional requirements: • Water • Protein • Energy • Minerals • Vitamins Texas 4-H and Youth Development

11. Nutrition cont. • If raising own lambs important to not only feed brod sheep but also creep feed young lambs • Good creep feed contains 16-18% crude protein, proper mineral balance, not too much roughage or fiber, contain antibiotics • After buying sheep should be put on growing ration (14-16% protein), proper mineral balance, roughage, and antibiotics if necessary • Can either be self-fed or hand-fed • Recommended to hand-feed breeding sheep to allow more accurate evaluation and prevention over conditioning • Feed should be fresh and consistent • Should gain 3-4% of their body weight a day. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

12. Health • Keeping breeding sheep healthy is very important! • Prevention is the key to a successful health program. • Administer vaccination program recommended by local veterinarian • Vaccinate for enterotoxemia and soremouth and treated for internal parasites • Regular hoof trimming is also necessary Texas 4-H and Youth Development

13. Health cont. • When administering drugs follow all directions on drug labels to Quality Assurance. • The use of drugs in manner unintended violates laws set by the Food and Drug Administration • Texas livestock shows have strict laws for illegal drug use and will disqualify animals if illegal drugs are used Texas 4-H and Youth Development

14. Fitting and Showing • Fitting breeding sheep is an ART!! • Wooled breeding sheep are generally fitted differently than medium wool and hair breeding sheep because they are shown in the wool and are not washed. • Necessary equipment to fit wooled breeding sheep: • Electric clippers with blades • Hand shears • Wool cards(2) • Hoof trimmers • Curry comb • Brush • Blankets and hoods - Bucket - Spray bottle - Wool rag - Soap - Trimming table - Rope halters Texas 4-H and Youth Development

15. Fitting and Showing cont. • Wooled breeding sheep must be fitted completely • Medium and haired breeding sheep can be shown in the wooled or slick shorn depending on show rules. • If shown in wooled must be shorn 1-2 months before show. • If shown slick then must be washed and shorn immediately before the show. • Do not use artificial coloring • Can be led on halters, but should learn to lead Texas 4-H and Youth Development

16. Additional questions to address with Exhibitors • What are the goals of the 4-H member and family? • At what major shows do you wish to exhibit breeding sheep? • Do you need assistance in locating and selecting your project? Texas 4-H and Youth Development

17. Additional Resources for Breeding Sheep Texas Breeding Sheep Guide By Frank Craddock and Ross Stultz Texas 4-H and Youth Development

18. Conclusions • All aspects of the selection process should be understood. (breeds, quality, ownership, age, shearing guidelines) • Proper facilities should be available. • Proper diets and nutritional information about feeding sheep should be identified. • Health is one of the most important aspects of raising breeding sheep. • All rules should be followed in regards to fitting prior to show. Texas 4-H and Youth Development