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sheep production:
1. On-farm performance testing
2. Central performance testing and
3. Across-flock EPD's.
4. Pedigree
recorded.
Weaning weights should be corrected to a
common age and adjusted for birth type, type
of rearing, and age of dam.
Otherwise, lambs with an environmental
advantage, not genetic superiority will be
favored in the selection process
An EPD(ExpectedProgenyDifference) is
across-flock comparisons.
are aligned so the incisor teeth are flush with the pad on
the upper jaw. Sheep with severe "undershot" or
"overshot" jaws should be avoided, as this is an inherited
defect.
An undershot jaw, also called a "parrot mouth," is when
the lower jaw is too short. Sheep with severe undershot
parrot mouths may have difficulty grazing short pastures.
An overshot jaw, also called a "monkey mouth" is when
the lower jaw is too long. Slight variations in jaw
alignment are not a problem or inherited defect. The best
way to observe jaw structure is to look at the sheep from
the side.
desireable traits.
Volume and capacity: A sheep should have a deep side,
Knock-kneed Splay-footed
Normal
Buck-kneed
Normal
Calf-kneed
Cow-hocked
Normal
Bowlegged
as a mature ewe.
Sometimes, ewe lambs do not have enough milk for their
years of age.
When purchasing mature ewes, it is especially
Ram selection
A ram is "half the flock." His genetics will be spread over many
adequate frame size (for his breed), well-grown for his age and
diet, and well- muscled.
You can tell how thickly muscled a ram is by feeling how wide and
Ram lambs
A ram lamb at 5 months of age will settle some
Ram Management
A ram may lose up to 15 percent of his body weight during
EWE SELECTION
Ewes and does should also be physically examined at
weaning and evaluated not just for body condition score but
for soundness of feet, udder, eyes, and mouth.
Lame animals have a difficult time grazing, browsing (eating
woody plants), and getting to water.
Goats sometimes stand on their hind legs to reach leaves
and brush.
A good udder is necessary to raise a healthy lamb or kid,
and a newborn must be able to nurse its dam shortly after
birth to receive colostrum.
Animals with good eyes and vision are easier to handle and,
therefore, you will have less stress when performing the
many management practices scheduled during the year.
To raise a good lamb or kid, a ewe or doe must also be able
to convert forage and browse into milk, starting with a good
set of teeth.
Preparations for breeding :1.Flushing: Feeding extra grain or lush pasture 2-3
weeks prior to the breeding season for the purpose
of increasing the number of ova shed from the ovary
and increase the incidence of twinning. Feeding
about 250 gms grains daily to each ewe results in an
increase in the lamb crop by about 10-20 per cent.
2.Tagging : This refers to the shearing the locks of
wool and dirt from the dock of the ewes, thus
facilitating mating by the ram.
3.Eyeing : This refers to the clipping of excess wool
around the eyes to prevent wool blindness in some
breeds.
4.Ringing : This refers to shearing of wool from the
body of the ram, especially in the neck, belly and
sheath region prior to the breeding season.
parturition
In this phase, the gain in mass of the fetus amounts
single-bearing dams.
It is advisable to separate dams at an advanced stage of
frequently.