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Questions and Answers
What is the recommended housing condition for goats?
How often should milk be given to kids in the 2nd week after birth?
What is the purpose of keeping a few goats with sheep?
What is the recommended temperature for a kids' house according to the text?
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What should be done if a dam refuses to suckle her young?
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Why is bad ventilation a concern for goats?
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What is an essential practice in kid nursing and rearing?
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What are the breeds of sheep mentioned in the text that are native to East and West Arab lands, Iran, China, Turkey, and Soviet Union?
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Name 3 breeds of sheep native to Lower Egypt as mentioned in the text.
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In Egypt, during which seasons do sheep mainly breed according to the text?
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At what age do ewe lambs typically reach puberty according to the text?
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What is the usual age at which ram lambs reach puberty based on the text?
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At what age are ram lambs usually used for breeding?
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What is the range of the normal oestrus cycle length in non-pregnant ewe according to the text?
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How long does the duration of oestrus typically last in ewe according to the text?
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What are some signs of heat in ewe as mentioned in the text?
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How long after the onset of oestrus does service usually occur according to the text?
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Study Notes
Sheep Management
Origin and Domestication
- Sheep were probably domesticated before cattle and originated from wild species found in Asia and Europe.
- The domestic species originated and spread in the Mediterranean zone.
Common Terms in Sheep
- Lamb: Newly born sheep
- Ram: Adult uncastrated male sheep
- Ewe: Adult female sheep
Identification of Sheep
- Collective identification (flock identification): used by applying a special mark on the wool with marking fluid or coloring material.
- Ear tags or ear notch is widely used in sheep.
- Individual identification: conducted by tattooing either inside the ear or on the gums, or by ear tags or notches.
Advantages of Sheep Rearing
- Suitable for grazing in dry scanty areas.
- Considered as sweeper animals, feeding on field remains after harvesting.
- High digestion coefficient for converting food into products.
- Kept for purposes such as lamb, mutton, milk, and wool productions.
Breeds of Sheep
- Native breeds
- Lower Egypt breeds: Rahmani, Barki, Fallahi
- Upper Egypt breeds: Osimi, Sieidi
- Carpet breeds: Awasi, Nagdi, Barbary, Karamen, Balbas
Biological Characteristics
- Breed during a restricted season, mainly late summer, autumn, and early winter in temperate zones.
- Age of puberty and sexual maturity: • Ewe lambs: 6-16 months • Lamb rams: 5-7 months
- Oestrus cycle and duration: • Length of normal oestrus cycle: 16-18 days (17 days on average) • Duration of oestrus: 20-30 hours (up to 5 days)
- Period of gestation: 150 days (21 weeks)
Management Before Breeding Seasons
- Shearing free from parasites
- Male balanced ration
- Flushing ration and exercise
Management During Breeding Seasons
- Detect ewes in oestrus using teaser ram or fertile ram systems
- Leave rams with ewes for at least 35-40 days
Care and Management During Pregnancy
- Detect serviced ewes using teaser ram
- No special precautions during the first 2/3 of pregnancy
- Provide sufficient food and daily exercise during the last 1/3
- Any disturbance may lead to abortion
Care During Parturition and Nursing
- Pregnant ewes may lamb in the field or in lambing pen
- Skilled care and attention required during lambing
- Umbilical cord should be cut and disinfected after tying up
- Lamb should suckle within the first 1/2 hour after birth
- Mother allows suckling at any time, with decreasing frequency after the first week
Special Sheep Behavior
- Flocks of sheep will leave the site and go out to graze, then lie down and start chewing the cud.
- Unlike cattle, sheep do not groom or lick each other.
- Increased sexual behavior and fighting between males during autumn and spring.
- Sheep reject plants contaminated with sheep urine or feces odor.
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Description
Test your knowledge on sheep breeding management, including the period of gestation, pre-breeding season care, and breeding season management techniques such as detecting ewes in oestrus and the ratio of rams to ewes. Learn about the optimal length of the breeding season and proper care practices for successful breeding.
