The success of a sheep enterprise is determined by several factors. One of the factors is getting it right when it comes to choosing breeding stock lambs. Getting this part right will ensure that one has the appropriate animals on their farm. As much as other methods of selecting sheep are used, visual appraisal still tops the list. As with other selection criterion, one cannot tell with certainty the future productivity of an animal. When in search of Breeding stock lambs KY should be given priority.
Health of the animal must be the first aspect to consider. One is likely to fail if they start off with unhealthy lambs. Normally, besides being bright, healthy lambs stay alert. They will never isolate themselves from others. A healthy lamb appears to be in better body condition relative to its age, plane of nutrition, and stage of production.
All breeding farms or lambs which show symptoms of being unhealthy must be avoided. Very poor body condition, sore oral lesions, pink eyes, limping, animals that show respiratory signs or have abscesses are some of the signs to watch out for. Snorting, sneezing, and running noses are respiratory signs one should be careful about. Such animals must not be bought for breeding. Being safe than sorry is better.
Soundness of the animal is another visual appraisal criterion. It is only a lamb in good physical state and lacks any severe physical defects that a person should consider sound. Livestock with physical difficulties cannot stay beneficial for a long period. For breeders, absence of lambing can be pretty counterproductive.
The oral cavity of the ewe is another aspect to inspect on the visual appraisal list. Well aligned bottom and top jaws describe a good mouth. It implies that the pad and incisor teeth must be flush with no instances of overshot or undershot. Sheep with such defects should be avoided because the trait is hereditary.
However, slight variations in jaw alignment should be expected as they are quite normal. The slight variations are not an inherited defect. When in doubt whether the variations in jaw orientation are normal or abnormal, one should observe the structure of the jaw from the side. Also, one should feel the teeth in order to further confirm what is seen. Overshot or undershot jaws affect the grazing ability of the animal.
Visual appraisal of the condition of the teeth should also be done. Mostly, the condition of the teeth depends on certain factors. Such factors include condition of the land and diet. Easily eaten diet grinds the teeth of sheep slowly while animals on coarse diet tend to have their teeth grind away faster. The focus should be on the molar teeth rather than the incisors since they do are the ones that grind food.
Lastly, the structure of the lamb generally is another aspect to watch. Its legs and feet need to be straight. It must also be squarely set on the corners of the torso. One needs to consider conformation as well. It tends to differ among different breeds. However, there is a tendency of smooth shoulders and straight backs being desirable.
Health of the animal must be the first aspect to consider. One is likely to fail if they start off with unhealthy lambs. Normally, besides being bright, healthy lambs stay alert. They will never isolate themselves from others. A healthy lamb appears to be in better body condition relative to its age, plane of nutrition, and stage of production.
All breeding farms or lambs which show symptoms of being unhealthy must be avoided. Very poor body condition, sore oral lesions, pink eyes, limping, animals that show respiratory signs or have abscesses are some of the signs to watch out for. Snorting, sneezing, and running noses are respiratory signs one should be careful about. Such animals must not be bought for breeding. Being safe than sorry is better.
Soundness of the animal is another visual appraisal criterion. It is only a lamb in good physical state and lacks any severe physical defects that a person should consider sound. Livestock with physical difficulties cannot stay beneficial for a long period. For breeders, absence of lambing can be pretty counterproductive.
The oral cavity of the ewe is another aspect to inspect on the visual appraisal list. Well aligned bottom and top jaws describe a good mouth. It implies that the pad and incisor teeth must be flush with no instances of overshot or undershot. Sheep with such defects should be avoided because the trait is hereditary.
However, slight variations in jaw alignment should be expected as they are quite normal. The slight variations are not an inherited defect. When in doubt whether the variations in jaw orientation are normal or abnormal, one should observe the structure of the jaw from the side. Also, one should feel the teeth in order to further confirm what is seen. Overshot or undershot jaws affect the grazing ability of the animal.
Visual appraisal of the condition of the teeth should also be done. Mostly, the condition of the teeth depends on certain factors. Such factors include condition of the land and diet. Easily eaten diet grinds the teeth of sheep slowly while animals on coarse diet tend to have their teeth grind away faster. The focus should be on the molar teeth rather than the incisors since they do are the ones that grind food.
Lastly, the structure of the lamb generally is another aspect to watch. Its legs and feet need to be straight. It must also be squarely set on the corners of the torso. One needs to consider conformation as well. It tends to differ among different breeds. However, there is a tendency of smooth shoulders and straight backs being desirable.
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