Sheep husbandry module Adapted from the “Guide for care and use of agricultural animals in agricultural research and teaching”, Federation of Animal Sciences, First revised edition, January 1999

Facilities and environment Shelter shade, warmth, protection from wind, precipitation Adequate ventilation dust, ammonia gas Clean, dry surroundings drainage Manure handling/disposal Range conditions vary

Facilities and environment Flooring surfaces well-drained compacted soil, concrete, composition mats, wood, expanded metal Lambs observation for hypothermia (low body temperature), hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and sunburn Adequate feed and water for environmental conditions

Intensive laboratory environments Prolonged restraint, frequent sampling, collection of urine/feces Pens, metabolism stalls, stanchions, respiration chambers, environmental chambers Do not house alone Uniform light intensity/photoperiod Shearing for cleanliness sanitation

Intensive laboratory environments Close observation Opportunities for exercise Monitor appetite, fecal and urinary output Monitor soundness of feet and legs

Fencing 42 inch high board or wire fence Can use boards, planks, high tensile wire, chain-link, woven wire Plastic net or snow fence for temporary pens Be attentive to tangling of legs in wire Separation of bucks from does during breeding season

Lighting Photoperiod and light intensity adequate for inspection and maintenance of activity patterns and physiological control of reproductive cycles May need supplemental light during lambing for observation Outside lights can deter predators

Feed and water Make changes in roughage and concentrate rations gradually acidosis (fatty acid building up in GI tract) polio (brain degeneration) enterotoxemia (intestinal infection) Feeding and watering devices positioned so as to minimize injury and contamination with feces

Social environment Maintain in groups to avoid stress Introduction of new males to a group can lead to fighting Sufficient space to avoid domination of feeding and watering places Use of lambing pens to increase lamb survivability and enhance development of bond between dam and offspring

Husbandry Ear-notching Ear-tattooing Tail web-tattooing Ear-tagging Shearing Hoof-trimming

Husbandry Immunization Colostrum Parasite control Fly strike diseases deemed appropriate by herdsman and veterinarian Colostrum adequate intake of “first milk” Parasite control abomasal worms Fly strike

Shearing Shearing lambs during hot weather stimulates feed intake and improves performance Shear ewes around lambing – easier for lambs to suckle crutching Disinfect shearing equipment spread of caseous lymphadenitis (infection of the lymph nodes and internal organs)

Shearing Hold off feed for 6 to 12 hours before shearing Shear when dry Need access to shelter following shearing

Additional husbandry practices Advanced artificial insemination electroejaculation pregnancy detection ultrasound evaluation embryo flushing and transfer venipuncture

Standard agricultural practices Tail-docking reduces perianal soiling and incidence of fly strike rubber rings, hot iron cautery, surgical removal, emasculator docking too short contributes to rectal and vaginal prolapses dock lambs before two weeks of age

Standard agricultural practices Castration rubber rings emasculator surgical removal castrate prior to 2 months of age anesthesia, monitor hemorrhage, monitor infection

Handling, transportation Utilize tendency to flock Avoid transporting in times of extreme temperature or humidity Avoid transportation during late gestation Gate into smaller groups to avoid piling up Give adequate nutrients before transporting to avoid pregnancy toxemia and transport tetany

Euthanasia Euthanasia solution Penetrating captive bolt Gunshot to the head Should be performed by a trained individual