A Shropshire sheep standing in front of an example of proper winter shelter. Are your sheep ready for winter? The most important thing you can do is to make sure they have enough wool for the cold months. If a sheep has enough wool, it will never be cold. Fortunately, sheep do not need a lot of wool to handle New Jersey winters. A couple of inches will be fine. Sheep shorn in … [Read more...]
Feeding Young Lambs
When lambs are born, usually on the one of the coldest days of the year, they need to get nourishment within the first hour of birth. The mother’s first milk (colostrum) “comes in” by the time the lamb(s) are ready to nurse. If not, be prepared to supplement with a powdered colostrum from your local feed store. They may drink about 4-6 oz. By the time they’re hungry again, … [Read more...]
Market Lamb Selection: Finding the Cream of the Flock, Part 2
In our first blog post, we began the process of planning to find just the right lamb for your 4-H market project. I hope you have been studying up on the parts of the lamb, good conformation traits and determining what size lamb you will need. Now, let’s take a look at your next big steps. The Search for the Right Match Now it’s time for the second phase of your planning. … [Read more...]
Understanding Lambing Behavior
Lambing can be a stressful time for both shepherd and sheep alike. Understanding different behavioral signs in sheep provides insight for shepherds when making management decisions. Behavioral signs often precede other physical signs and can be used as an early detection system. Remember, not all ewes will exhibit all of behaviors described below. They tend to be more common … [Read more...]
Market Lamb Selection: Finding the Cream of the Flock, Part 1
A 4-H market lamb project is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for youth members. You will develop important life skills through practicing smart planning and good management techniques. From the beginning of your project to the end, usually between 5-7 months, success will depend on four things: smart selection, strong management, proper nutrition, and … [Read more...]