Breeding Sheep Essentials
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Topics to Discuss
The following topics will be discussed:
• Selection
• Facilities and Equipment
• Nutrition
• Health
• Fitting and Showing
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
Breeds
• Choice of wooled breeding sheep (Columbia,
Corriedale, Delaine-Merino, and Rambouillet),
medium wool breeding sheep (Dorset, Hampshire,
Southdown, and Suffolk), or hair breeding sheep
(Dorper and Royal White).
• Major shows that have breeding sheep shows:
State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Southwestern
Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, San
Antonio Livestock Exposition, San Angelo Livestock
Show, and Houston Livestock Show.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
• Breeds
Shows
Breeds
Dallas (junior & open)
Columbia, Delaine-Merino, Dorper, Dorset,
Hampshire, Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk
Fort Worth (junior & open)
Delaine-Merino, Dorset, Hampshire,
Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk
San Antonio (junior & open)
Delaine-Merino, Dorset, Hampshire,
Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk
San Angelo (junior & open)
Junior – Delaine-Merino, Dorper,
Rambouillet, Ewe Lamb futurity
Open – Columbia, Delaine-Merino, Dorper,
Rambouillet, Southdown
Houston (junior & open)
Columbia, Corriedale, Delaine-Merino,
Dorper, Dorset, Hampshire, ORB,
Rambouillet, Royal White, Southdown,
Suffolk
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Age
• Divided into classes based on teeth.(rules
vary)
• Some times they are shown according to
age on registration papers.
• Generally three age divisions: Lamb, twotooth(yearling), four to six-tooth(aged)
• Sheep with more than six permanent teeth
may not exhibit
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Quality Considerations
• The following considerations should be taken
when selecting a sheep:
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Structural correctness
Growth
Muscle
Breed and sex characteristics
• Approx. 40-50% of evaluation of wooled breeding
sheep is on fleece
• Little emphasis placed on wool in medium and hai
breeding sheep.
• Wool characteristics to watch: lbs of wool, grade
and uniformity of grade, length, density, character,
belly wool, wool blindness, hairy britch
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Shearing guidelines
• Apply primarily to wooled breeding sheep
• Most shows require Rambouillet, Columbia, and
Corriedale sheep to be shorn on or after October
20th of the calendar year preceding the show.
• Rambouillet with staple length in excess of 2
inches will be disqualified
• Delaine-Merino sheep aged(4 to 6 tooth) sheep
only must be shorn to the skin on or before March
15, of the calendar year preceding the show.
• Many shows require medium wool to be slick
shorn above the knee and hock joint
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Ownership
• All sheep must be registered in the
Handbook of their Association in the name
of the Junior owner on or before
November 1, the preceding year.
• Open shows require ownership in
Handbook of Association 30 days prior to
the show.
• State Fair of Texas requires ownership 90
days prior to show Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and Equipment
• Minimum space of 500 ft2 of pen space and 30
ft2 of shelter space per sheep is recommended
• Should be well drained.
• Pen height should be at least 42 inches to
discourage jumping and predators
• Can be hand-fed or self-fed
• If hand-feeding allow for 1 1/2 linear feet of
trough space per sheep
• If self-feeding allow for 6-8 inches of trough
space per sheep
• Access to clean water most important when
feeding.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition
• No particular feed that should be fed
• Sheep must have basic daily nutritional
requirements:
– Water
– Protein
– Energy
– Minerals
– Vitamins
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition cont.
• If raising own lambs important to not only feed brod
sheep but also creep feed young lambs
• Good creep feed contains 16-18% crude protein,
proper mineral balance, not too much roughage or
fiber, contain antibiotics
• After buying sheep should be put on growing ration
(14-16% protein), proper mineral balance, roughage,
and antibiotics if necessary
• Can either be self-fed or hand-fed
• Recommended to hand-feed breeding sheep to
allow more accurate evaluation and prevention over
conditioning
• Feed should be fresh and consistent
• Should gain 3-4% of their body weight a day.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health
• Keeping breeding sheep healthy is very
important!
• Prevention is the key to a successful
health program.
• Administer vaccination program
recommended by local veterinarian
– Vaccinate for enterotoxemia and soremouth
and treated for internal parasites
• Regular hoof trimming is also necessary
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health cont.
• When administering drugs follow all
directions on drug labels to Quality
Assurance.
• The use of drugs in manner unintended
violates laws set by the Food and Drug
Administration
• Texas livestock shows have strict laws for
illegal drug use and will disqualify animals
if illegal drugs are used
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing
• Fitting breeding sheep is an ART!!
• Wooled breeding sheep are generally fitted
differently than medium wool and hair breeding
sheep because they are shown in the wool and
are not washed.
• Necessary equipment to fit wooled breeding
sheep:
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Electric clippers with blades
Hand shears
Wool cards(2)
Hoof trimmers
Curry comb
Brush
Blankets and hoods
- Bucket
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Spray bottle
Wool rag
Soap
Trimming table
Rope halters
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing cont.
• Wooled breeding sheep must be fitted
completely
• Medium and haired breeding sheep can be
shown in the wooled or slick shorn depending on
show rules.
• If shown in wooled must be shorn 1-2 months
before show.
• If shown slick then must be washed and shorn
immediately before the show.
• Do not use artificial coloring
• Can be led on halters, but should learn to lead
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional questions to
address with Exhibitors
• What are the goals of the 4-H member and
family?
• At what major shows do you wish to exhibit
breeding sheep?
• Do you need assistance in locating and
selecting your project?
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional Resources for
Breeding Sheep
Texas Breeding Sheep Guide
By Frank Craddock and Ross Stultz
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Conclusions
• All aspects of the selection process
should be understood. (breeds, quality,
ownership, age, shearing guidelines)
• Proper facilities should be available.
• Proper diets and nutritional information
about feeding sheep should be identified.
• Health is one of the most important
aspects of raising breeding sheep.
• All rules should be followed in regards to
fitting prior to show.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development