Sheep Barn
Most common breeds
*Hampshire- is a large, open-faced, and active sheep with a mild disposition. Mature rams should weigh 275 pounds or more and mature ewes should weigh 200 pounds or more in breeding condition. medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep
*Shropshire- is a dual-purpose breed of domestic sheep. Medium to large-sized breed. The body is covered with fine and dense wool. The fleece of these animals is of good length, dense and elastic to touch.
*Dorset- both horned and polled Dorsets are an all-white sheep of medium size having good body length and muscle conformation to produce a desirable carcass. The fleece is very white, strong, close, and free from dark fiber. Ewes weigh from 150 to 200 pounds at maturity, rams weigh from 225 to 275 pounds at maturity.
*Southdown- a breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep. They are sturdy, wide, deep, compact, and refined. They are usually of white color with mouse-colored faces. They have wool on their faces, ears, and legs.
*Cheviot- is a dual-purpose breed, being raised primarily for meat and wool. Stoutly-built body with sturdy, round legs, well-developed rumps, and a short tail.
*Suffolks- a common breed of domestic sheep. They are polled and have black open faces along with black legs and white bodies. Are considered a large breed of sheep, their large frame and muscular bodies make them an ideal breed for meat production.
*Rambouillet- rams weigh between 250 and 300 pounds, ewes range from 150 to 200 pounds at maturity. The largest of fine wool sheep. The breed has a white face and white legs. The lambs grow rapidly under good feeding conditions to produce satisfactory market weights from six to nine months of age.
*Corriedale- a dual-purpose sheep. It is large-framed, polled with good carcass quality. Both rams and ewes are generally polled. They are usually white in color with a white face and black points. Their nose and hooves are black.
*Targhee- is among the medium to large sheep breeds. It is light brown or pure white in color. These animals are very good for quality wool production. They are very strong and hardy animals.
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Interesting Sheep Facts
Female sheep (ewes) are very caring mothers and form deep bonds with their lambs that can recognize them by their call (bleat) when they wander too far away.
Sheep Terms
Sheep are over one year of age. They have usually produced offspring.
Lambs are less than one year of age. They have usually not produced offspring.
Ewe is a female sheep. Yoe is a slang term for ewe. A young female is called a ewe lamb.
Lambing is the process of giving birth to lambs.
Ram is a male sheep. Buck is the slang term for ram. A young male is called a ram lamb.
Wether is a castrated male sheep.
Flock is a group of sheep. Larger groups of sheep are called bands or mobs.
Shearing is cutting off the fleece.
In lamb pregnant ewe.
Gimmer a female sheep in her second year but before she has her first lamb. Also theave.
What do sheep sing for birthdays?
-Happy birthday to Ewe!
What do business sheep read every day?
-The Wool Street Journal.
Sheep Activities
What did the young lamb want to be when she grew up?
-A baa-lerina.
Where do sheep get haircuts?
-At the baa-baa shop!