Unit 6 Housing and Equipment Sheep and Goats

Sheep/Goats 1. Corrals: a. Allow sq.ft. of space per ewe and lamb. b. Allow 4-5 sq.ft. of space per feeder lamb. c. Approximately 100 pregnant ewes can be together, but not more than 50 ewe and lamb pairs should be together. d. Sheep with horns, heavy fleece, and those in late gestation require additional space. e. Sheep are social animals (and often stupid!), so they should be kept in groups to avoid stress.

Sheep and Goats 2. Feed bunks: ◦a. Each ewe needs 12 inches of space. ◦b. Each lamb needs 6 inches of space. 3. Waterers:  a. Automatic waterers are convenient and efficient.  b. They should be located opposite the feed bunk to prevent contamination from animal waste.

Sheep and Goats Gating/Fencing: ◦a) Fencing is used to keep dogs out and sheep in ◦b) Sheep and goats must be fenced in ◦c) Fences 3 to 4 ft high will work for sheep ◦d) Fences 60 inches high considered dog – proof ◦e) Barbed wire fences will work to hold sheep in range areas ◦f) Cattle fencing can be made sheep and goat proof (by adding) 3 to 4 barbs (4 to 5 in. apart) on the bottom

Sheep/Goats Pens should be provided for: ◦Rams/Billy’s: needs to be secure and if they are to be penned next to one another they should not be along a fence line or they will fight. ◦Ewes/Does due to lamb or open ewes/does: These are usually out on pasture and have access to shelter to lamb. ◦Ewes/Does with newborns: Bonding pens/lambing pens (5ft X 5ft)

Sheep and Goats ◦Ewes/Does with lambs: Should be separated from other ewes and on feed because they are milking ◦Lambs/kids still on mother: Should have access to a creep pen (pen where only babies have access to feed) ◦Weaned lambs: Should be on feed in either a pasture/corral or combination of both.

Sheep/Goats Clippers/Shears: for clipping wool

Sheep shearing trailor

Sheep Wool bag stand: hold the wool bag Wool bag: used to put wool in for transport and processing

Sheep/Goats 4. Miscellaneous Items: a. Shepherd's Crook - used to catch and immobilize sheep. Hoof Trimmers: used for trimming hooves

Sheep/Goats c. Elastrator - used for castration and docking of tails (rubber bands). d. Paint brands - used to mark ewes and lambs with identification numbers.

Sheep and Goats Electric docking iron: used for docking tails, must be done within approximately 3 days of birth. Electric dehorner: used for dehorning goats Sheep Stand: used mainly for show sheep to hold them in place, form of restraint

Sheep and goats Turn Table: form of restraint for handling sheep and goats

Sheep/Goats Ear tagger: used for putting in ear tags for identification purposes DNA collection tag/applicator: collects DNA sample for testing

Sheep and Goats CIDR and CIDR applicator: Hormone implant that will cause sheep or goats to cycle so they can be bred.

Sheep and Goats Sheep halter Goat collar