Chapter 8-Sheep Production
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What is the class of sheep?
Mammalia- suckle their young
What products do sheep produce
• Wool • Meat • Skins • Milk
What is the sheep family
Bovidae- ruminant
What is the genus of sheep
Ovis
What is the species of sheep
Ovis aries
How are sheep classified
• type of wool • meat type • color • horned or polled • adapt ability characteristics
What are the classifications for wool
• fine wool • medium wool • long wool • crossbreed wool • hair breed
What does the reproduction of sheep have to do with the success of the industry
• success and profitability of any sheep industry is closely related to level of lamb production - production costs are nearly the same if a ewe produces none or several offspring - fertility affects productivity
What is the normal breeding season for sheep
• sheep are seasonal breeders - their offspring are born at the most favorable time for the survival of the young
What is the age of puberty for sheep
5 to 12 months
What is an anestrous period
A period when ewes do not demonstrate estrus
What is the length between estruses
14 to 19 days
What is the duration of estrus
20-42 hours
What is the gestation period
143-152 days
How does the effect of the environment reproduction
• sexual activity is dependent on the ratio of daylight to dark. • frequency of estrus • more fertile
What is the ram effect
It is the process of keeping a ram close to the ewes for about 10 to 14 days before the breeding season begins
What are the benefits of the ram effect
• Ewes will cycle 2 weeks earlier in August instead of September • ewes will have synchronized cycles • due to the ram pheromones
What is flushing and what is the benefit
Flushing is provinding supplementation of feed two to three weeks before breeding -increases the number of ovulation which increases the number if lambs born
How many ewes should a well-matured ram lamb mate
10-30
How many ewes should a yearling to 5 years mate
25-50
How many ewes should a six year to older produce
They are suited for hand breeding or pastures only
How does temperature effect reproduction in rams
Hot temperatures can reduce fertility
How long does it take for the formation and development of spermatozoa
6-7 weeks
When is semen testing recommended
-recommended for producer who uses one or two rams