Sheep SAQ's Q & A.docx

What is the average birth weight of lambs and what is their weight at slaughter? ANSWER: Lambs weigh between 3-5 kg at birth and 30-40 kg at slaughter. What is the gestation period of sheep and how long does the oestrous cycle last? ANSWER: The gestation period is 149 days (5 months) and the oest...

What is the average birth weight of lambs and what is their weight at slaughter? ANSWER: Lambs weigh between 3-5 kg at birth and 30-40 kg at slaughter. What is the gestation period of sheep and how long does the oestrous cycle last? ANSWER: The gestation period is 149 days (5 months) and the oestrous cycle lasts 17 days. Describe the unique features of a sheep\'s digestive system. ANSWER: Sheep are ruminants with a 4-chambered stomach consisting of the Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, and Abomasum, and have a specific dental formula of (0033/4033) x2. What is the purpose of scanning in sheep farming? ANSWER: Scanning is used to determine the reproductive status of ewes, detecting pregnancy and fetal numbers. What is the purpose of SBLAS (Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme) in sheep farming? ANSWER: SBLAS is an environmental/sustainability scheme that ensures sheep farms operate in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. What is the dental formula for sheep, and what does it indicate about their dentition? ANSWER: The dental formula is (0033/4033) x2, and it indicates that sheep have a specific arrangement of incisors, canines, and molars in their upper and lower jaws. What is the difference between a ram, a weather, and an ewe in sheep farming? ANSWER: A ram is an uncastrated male sheep, a weather is a castrated male sheep, and an ewe is a female sheep. What are the different methods of fostering in sheep farming, and how do they work? ANSWER: The methods of fostering include using a fostering crate, a dog, or skinning a dead lamb. These methods help to encourage the ewe to adopt an orphaned lamb. What is the significance of ACRES in environmental sustainability schemes for sheep farming? ANSWER: ACRES is an environmental sustainability scheme that promotes responsible and sustainable farming practices in sheep farming What is the main difference between a lamb at birth and at slaughter in terms of weight? ANSWER: The lamb weighs between 3-5 kg at birth and 30-40 kg at slaughter. What is the duration of the oestrous cycle in sheep, and how long does the ewe remain in oestrous? ANSWER: The oestrous cycle lasts for 17 days, and the ewe remains in oestrous for 36 hours. What is unique about the digestive system of sheep, and how does it relate to their dental formula? ANSWER: Sheep have a ruminant digestive system with 4 stomach chambers, and their dental formula is (0033/4033) x2. What is the purpose of dipping and foot bathing in sheep farming, and how do they contribute to animal health? ANSWER: Dipping and foot bathing help to prevent and treat parasitic infections and hoof diseases in sheep. What is the significance of SBLAS and ACRES in promoting environmental sustainability in sheep farming? ANSWER: SBLAS and ACRES are environmental sustainability schemes that promote responsible and eco-friendly practices in sheep farming. What is the significance of the 4 stomach chambers in a sheep\'s digestive system, and how does it impact their ability to digest food? ANSWER: The 4 stomach chambers (Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, and Abomasum) allow sheep to digest cellulose in plant cell walls, making them ruminants and efficient at breaking down fibrous plant material. How does the duration of the oestrous cycle influence the breeding program of sheep farming? ANSWER: The 17-day oestrous cycle allows for frequent breeding opportunities, enabling sheep farmers to implement a controlled breeding program and optimize flock productivity. How do environmental sustainability schemes like SBLAS and ACRES contribute to the overall sustainability of sheep farming? ANSWER: SBLAS and ACRES promote environmentally sustainable practices in sheep farming by ensuring responsible land use, minimizing waste, and reducing the industry\'s ecological footprint. What is the significance of the 17-day oestrous cycle in sheep farming, and how does it impact the breeding program? ANSWER: The 17-day oestrous cycle allows for frequent breeding opportunities, enabling farmers to maximize reproductive efficiency and optimize lamb production. How do the unique features of a sheep\'s digestive system, including the 4 stomach chambers and dental formula, contribute to their ability to digest food? ANSWER: The 4 stomach chambers and specialized dental formula enable sheep to break down and extract nutrients from plant-based foods, particularly cellulose, facilitating their ability to thrive on a diet of grasses and forages. What is the primary purpose of dagging and docking in sheep farming, and how do these practices contribute to animal health and welfare? ANSWER: Dagging and docking are practices that improve animal health and welfare by reducing the risk of flystrike and promoting cleanliness, thereby minimizing the incidence of health issues. What is the significance of scanning in sheep farming, and how does it inform breeding and management decisions? ANSWER: Scanning enables farmers to identify pregnant ewes, determine fetal numbers, and detect potential health issues, informing breeding and management decisions to optimize reproductive performance and lamb production.