Breeding Sheep Essentials Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Breeding Sheep Essentials

Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Topics to Discuss

The following topics will be discussed:

• Selection

• Facilities and Equipment

• Nutrition

• Health

• Fitting and Showing


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.


Selection• Breeds

Shows Breeds

Dallas (junior & open) Columbia, Delaine-Merino, Dorper, Dorset, Hampshire, Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk

Fort Worth (junior & open) Delaine-Merino, Dorset, Hampshire, Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk

San Antonio (junior & open) Delaine-Merino, Dorset, Hampshire, Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk

San Angelo (junior & open) Junior – Delaine-Merino, Dorper, Rambouillet, Ewe Lamb futurityOpen – Columbia, Delaine-Merino, Dorper, Rambouillet, Southdown

Houston (junior & open) Columbia, Corriedale, Delaine-Merino, Dorper, Dorset, Hampshire, ORB, Rambouillet, Royal White, Southdown, Suffolk


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


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


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


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


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.


Nutrition

• No particular feed that should be fed

• Sheep must have basic daily nutritional requirements:– Water– Protein– Energy– Minerals – Vitamins


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.


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


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


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


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


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?


Additional Resources for Breeding Sheep

Texas Breeding Sheep Guide

By Frank Craddock and Ross Stultz


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

Documents

Breeding Sheep Essentials Texas 4-H and Youth Development