SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK

BREEDING STOCK MANAGEMENT

PREGNANT ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Selecting breeding stock

Starting with and selecting the right breeding stock

will go a long way towards ensuring a successful sheep

enterprise, no matter what the production emphasis is
or where the farm or ranch is located.
Appropriate breed(s) or type(s) be chosen and that

they be well-adapted to the environment and

production system in which they will be raised.
It is almost always better to upgrade local breeds or

stock than to introduce new breeds or genetics that

may not be adapted to the local environment or
producton system.

 Ideally, sheep selection should be a combination of

visual appraisal and evaluation of performance

records.
You need to be careful when comparing sheep on one

farm to sheep on another farm. Good management

and nutrition can mask poor or mediocre genetics,
while poor management and nutrition can mask good
genetics.
You need to use your own observation and evaluation

skills to make sound purchasing decisions.

SELECTING SHEEP ON THE BASIS OF

PERFORMANCE
There are three types of production records in

sheep production:
1. On-farm performance testing
2. Central performance testing and
3. Across-flock EPD's.
4. Pedigree

1) All that's needed is some form of individual

animal identification, a record book, and a
scale.
Birth dates and weaning weights should be

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

A central performance test is where males

from different herds are brought to one central

location to record performance.
In a central performance test, observed

differences between rams are more likely due to

genetic differences, which will be passed onto
the next generation of offspring, rather than
environmental differences which will not be
passed on.
A central performance test is an ideal place to

purchase a ram that will be used to sire market

lambs.

An EPD(ExpectedProgenyDifference) is

an estimate of the genetic value of an animal

that will be passed onto its progeny. For
example, if a ram has an EPD of +2 lbs. for
weaning weight, this means that his offspring
will be 2 lbs. (on-average) heavier than the
average of the breed.
They are the only way to make accurate

across-flock comparisons.

In the United States, EPDs are calculated for

numerous breeds by the

National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP).
Equivalent programs in Australia and New
Zealand areLamb plan and
Sheep Improvement Ltd (SIL), respectively.
Sheep with performance records are more
valuable than those without.
Every effort should be made to purchase
sheep, especially rams, with some type of
performance records.

VISUAL APPRAISAL OF SHEEP FOR

BREEDING
Sheep that limp, have abscesses,
pink eye, or sore mouth lesions, show
respiratory symptoms, or are in extremely
poor body condition should not be
purchased for breeding.
Soundness: A sheep that is sound is in
good physical condition and free from
serious defects. A sound animal will
survive and be productive for a longer time
than an animal which has physical
problems.
Health:

Mouth: In a correct mouth, both the top and bottom jaws

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.

Teeth: The condition of a sheep's teeth depend

upon its diet and the land where it lives.

Animals on a rough, coarse diet will grind their
teeth away faster than animals on an easily
eaten diet.
The molar teeth are far more important than
the incisor teeth. They do the grinding of feed.
To evaluate the molar teeth, you have to feel on
the outside of the cheek and jaw.
Bad breath can be a sign that there is
something wrong with the molar teeth. Animals
with teeth problems should be not selected for
breeding.

Hooves: abnormal or excessive hoof growth, cracked

hooves, or extremely splayed hooves should be avoided

Conformation: Smooth shoulders and staight backs are

desireable traits.
Volume and capacity: A sheep should have a deep side,

wide top, and "round" body, indicative of good spring of rib.

Narrow, flat-sided, shallow-bodied animals are less likely to be
productive.
Size: Selection should be for ewes of adequate frame.

Extremes in frame size should be avoided. However,

production efficiency tends to favour females of
moderate body size.
Sex character:

Rams should appear rugged, stout

and masculine. Ewes should be feminine and more

refined in their features. Femininity is usually associated
with a longer head and neck and a more angular body
type.

Feet and legs: A sound sheep has straight legs

that are set squarely under the corners of the body.

They are not too close at the hocks or knees. The
pasterns are neither too straight nor too angled.
Sheep with severe feet and leg problems may break
down in difficult production situations.
Sheep with slight structural defects usually do not
have any problems.

Knock-kneed Splay-footed

Normal

Buck-kneed
Normal

Calf-kneed

Check shoulder, back and loin area

for covering
of firm flesh; See also if the ram to be
selected
has bold masculine head with bright
eye and
correct mouth.

Cow-hocked
Normal

Bowlegged

Check spring of rib, width of

loin area and fleshing over
rump.

MATERNAL FLOCK SELECTION

You are less likely to "purchase" problems if you purchase

ewe lambs and yearlings that have never lambed.

Because young ewes have more productive years ahead

of them, they usually sell for higher prices than mature

ewes.
A ewe lamb will not produce as much milk for her lamb(s)

as a mature ewe.
Sometimes, ewe lambs do not have enough milk for their

lamb(s), especially if they have multiple lambs.

Yearlings (bred to lamb for the first time as two year olds)

will experience fewer problems than ewe lambs. They

usually sell for higher prices than ewe lambs.

 For people that are inexperienced raising sheep or

have fewer dollars to spend, it may be a good idea to

start with mature ewes (ewes that have previously
raised lambs).
Mature ewes give birth to more lambs, are better

mothers, and produce more milk for their lambs.

A ewe's performance usually peaks between 3 and 6

years of age.
When purchasing mature ewes, it is especially

important to make sure they are sound (udders and

teeth).

Ram selection
A ram is "half the flock." His genetics will be spread over many

more offspring than a ewe. Rams will be the primary means by

which genetic improvement will be made in a flock.
If the ram will be used to sire market lambs, he should be of

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

deep his loin is and by measuring the circumference of his lower

leg with your hands.
The forearm is another good indicator of muscling. Heavy-boned

animals are usually more heavily muscled.

Ultrasound can be used to more accurately predict carcass traits.

The old rule of thumb is that a ram is worth

five times the value of a market lamb. If

market lambs are worth $100, you should be
willing to pay $500 for a breeding ram.
It is better to start with mediocre ewes (so

long as they are healthy) and a superior ram

rather than superior ewes and a mediocre
ram.

Ideally, a breeding soundness exam (BSE)

should be conducted on any ram that is

purchased for breeding.
A breeding soundness exam evaluate's the
ram's breeding potential and includes a
physical exam and semen test.
A serving capacity test evaluates a ram's
desire to mate with ewes. It also tests the
Libido.
Some studies have found that more than 10
percent of rams are homosexual and will not
mate with ewes.
A mature ram will be able to service more
ewes than a ram lamb.

Ram lambs
A ram lamb at 5 months of age will settle some

ewes, but he will be a better breeder by the time he

is 7 or 8 months of age.
As a general rule of thumb, ram lambs should be 50
to 60 percent of their mature weight before being
used for breeding.
A well-grown ram lamb should be able to mate 15 to
30 ewes in a 34 day breeding season.
Ram lambs should be fed separately from mature
rams.
Ram lambs and mature rams should never be run
together in the same breeding group.
The older ram(s) will dominate and may injure the
younger ram(s).
Ram lambs should be observed closely to monitor

Ram Management
A ram may lose up to 15 percent of his body weight during

the breeding season.

Consequently, rams need to be in good body condition at
the time of breeding (condition score 3 to 4).
Thin rams (condition score 1 or 2) may have difficulty
getting the ewes bred,
while fat (condition score 5) rams may be too lazy to breed,
and their fertility may be affected during periods of hot
weather.
Rams should be sheared, treated for internal parasites (if
necessary), have their feet trimmed, and be started on the
diet that they will be consuming during breeding 2 to 4
weeks prior to breeding.
They should be included in the flock vaccination program

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.

Ram to Ewe Ratio

A ram can usually mate 3 to 4 ewes per day.
In general, the recommended ratio for mature

rams is 1:35 to 1:50.

In large flocks, the percentage of rams to
ewes is often higher.
Ratios of 1:100 or 1:150 are not uncommon.
If estrus has been synchronized, more ram
power is needed, 1 ram for every 5 to 10
ewes.

The Ram Effect

The "ram effect" is when non-cycling

(anestrus) ewes are stimulated to ovulate by

the sudden introduction of a ram or "teaser"
ram.
Rams produce a chemical substance called a
pheromone, the smell of which stimulates the
onset of estrus.
When ewes and rams are in constant contact
(sight or smell), the pheromones are much
less effective at inducing estrus.

Although recommendations vary, rams should

be isolated from ewes for at least 6 weeks in

order for the ram effect to work.
Ewes must have no contact with rams by
either sight, sound, or smell, which means
that they must be separated by distance.
The ram effect is not as effective with ewe
lambs, and is most effective during the
transitional period when ewes have not begun
to cycle, but are almost ready.
Breed of ram can affect ewes' response to the
ram effect, with the less-seasonal breeds
being more effective at bringing non-cycling
ewes into estrus.

Care and Management of Pregnant

Ewes/Does
Early or first month of pregnancy
During this period, it is generally recommended that the

body condition of the ewe/doe is maintained, thus

minimizing embryo and early fetal losses.
A very high level of nutrition can be as detrimental for
embryo survival as a very low one.
Mid or second and third months of pregnancy
This period is characterized by rapid growth of the
placenta. Growth of the fetus in absolute terms is very
small.
Loss in body weight should not exceed 5% over this
period.
Feeding during this period should be targeted at avoiding
excessive loss.

Late or fourth month of pregnancy up to

parturition
In this phase, the gain in mass of the fetus amounts

to 85% of its birth weight.

Nutrient intake should be increased during this period.
Concentrate sources of energy should be available as

the rumen size is limited because of the developing

fetus.
However, care should be taken to avoid excessive

feeding to reduce the chance of difficult birth.

 Multiple-bearing dams should receive more feed than

single-bearing dams.
It is advisable to separate dams at an advanced stage of

pregnancy from the main flock.

This will help to give them effective care.
Bring pregnant animals into lambing/kidding corrals 4 to

6 days before parturition and provide the maximum

possible comfort.
If possible, provide bedding material.
It is not advisable to handle pregnant animals too

frequently.