4-H Animal Science Resource Blog

STEM Connections, know-how & Inspiration

  • Alpaca/Llama
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Dog
  • Goat
  • Herpetology
  • Horse and Pony
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal
  • Sheep
  • Swine

Getting Your Sheep Barn Ready for Winter

November 15, 2018

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, care, health

Feeding Young Lambs

May 13, 2018

Lambs are shown in a creep feeder eating.

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Project Areas, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, feeds, New Jersey 4-H, youth STEM

Market Lamb Selection: Finding the Cream of the Flock, Part 2

April 15, 2018

4-H Member Patrick Kelly with his Suffolk market lamb.

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...]

Filed Under: Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: selection

Understanding Lambing Behavior

March 15, 2018

ewe licking newborn lamb

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...]

Filed Under: Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science

Market Lamb Selection: Finding the Cream of the Flock, Part 1

January 31, 2018

photo of lambs with ewes

  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...]

Filed Under: Focus on STEM, Sheep

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A Project of New Jersey 4-H Youth Development

New Jersey 4-H provides educational outreach programming for youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school) through 4-H clubs, special interest programs, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and overnight camping.

Regardless of the subject matter – whether it be science, healthy living or citizenship, 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth learn responsibility, community awareness and character development.

New Jersey 4-H Youth Development is a department of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

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