SHEEP — TYPES OF SHEEP

Most woolgrowers have flocks producer may have a range of different of sheep that include a variety of on the property. animals depending on their age and gender (sex). Lambs

Although woolgrowers rely mostly on Lambs are young sheep (male and adult sheep, most producers breed female) less than one year old, which their own replacement animals. This still rely on their mother for food (milk). means that at any one time a Weaners Weaners are young sheep (male and Fast facts female) which have been recently separated from their mothers as they • A flock of sheep is usually made are old enough to support themselves Ewes and lambs: Ewes are used for wool up of different types of animals through . production and to breed the future generations including: ewes, rams, wethers, of sheep on a wool-producing property. lambs, weaners and hoggets. Hoggets Ewes • The age of a sheep can Hoggets are immature male and be estimated by the number of female sheep older than weaners but Ewes are mature adult female sheep. permanent incisors (front teeth). not yet adults. Although often kept Ewes are used for breeding and for through to adults, hoggets do not wool production. • A ewe may have one or more produce as much wool as adult sheep. lambs each year. Rams Wethers • Every ewe recognises her own Rams are adult male sheep kept for offspring by their smell and the Wethers are adult male sheep that have breeding and for wool production. Rams noise they make. been castrated so they cannot breed. may or may not have horns. Rams Wethers are used for wool production. without horns are known as ‘polled’.

Ram power: Rams are adult male sheep used for breeding and for wool production.

SECONDARY FACT SHEET - SHEEP — TYPES OF SHEEP The gestation period for a ewe is 150 Lambs stay with their mother until days — about five months. Ewes in most they can get all their nutrition from wool‑producing enterprises lamb once grazing — usually when lambs are a year and usually give birth to a single about 3–5 months old. lamb, although are common. Triplets can occur, but not often.

Lambing Glossary As they get close to lambing, ewes look — substances that for a sheltered spot, away from the protect animals against disease. other ewes, in the paddock to give birth. Castrated — male animals that Unlike , lambs can stand and have had their removed, walk soon after birth. As soon as they to prevent them from breeding. Close bond: A ewe will bond with her lamb soon stand, lambs seek out the ewe’s udder after it is born. for their first of milk. This first Gestation period — the amount of time a female remains milk is called and contains high levels of nutrients and antibodies pregnant before giving birth. It is common for ewes to be mated to to give the newborn lamb strength and Pasture — plants that are managed rams for the first time at about 18 months protection against disease. by for production. of age, depending on their breed. In the first few minutes of life a ewe Replacement animals — as Ewes are generally managed in large will bond with her lamb (or lambs) animals in a flock are sold or die, flocks (mobs) and there is usually one so she can identify them from all the replacement animals are needed ram to every 30–80 ewes at mating, other lambs in the flock. Each ewe to keep total flock numbers stable depending on the amount and quality recognises the individual smell and or to increase total flock numbers. of pasture available. sound of her own offspring.

Telling the age of a sheep

Teeth help indicate the age of a Permanent teeth replace the milk teeth When sheep have all their permanent sheep. Sheep only have front teeth in pairs — first the two front teeth, teeth they are called a ‘full–mouth’. in their lower jaw. followed by one either side until they have Adult sheep also have 24 teeth eight incisors (permanent front teeth). Sheep are born without teeth, but at the back of the jaw, with six each most have eight milk teeth by As sheep grow they are known by the side on both the top and bottom. the time they are two months old. number of permanent front teeth they have. For example, a sheep that is about As sheep get older they lose their milk 12–18 months, with two permanent teeth, which are replaced by permanent incisors is called a ‘two–tooth’. teeth — just like humans.

Milk teeth Two-tooth Four-tooth Six-tooth Full–mouth Showing your age: This four–tooth wether is (lamb) (12–18 months) (18 months–2 yrs) (2–3 yrs) (adult) about two years old.

More information • Beyond the Bale: beyondthebale.wool.com For more information about different • makingmorefromsheep.com.au types of sheep, go to: • woolmarklearningcentre.com • learnaboutwool.com

SECONDARY FACT SHEET - SHEEP — TYPES OF SHEEP GD3270_C