1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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)

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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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