Taking good care of the infant sheep is very important if you want to be successful in sheep farming business. Because ensuring good care of the infant sheep will ensure good growth. And this will ultimately produce good and healthy rams and ewes in the future. And good quality rams and ewes will ensure good production from your business.
So, emphasis infant sheep caring and other management in your commercial sheep farming business plan. However, before discussing more about the caring process, let us first explain what infant sheep actually is.
What is infant sheep?
Infant sheep are the young of the sheep species which are under one year old. They are also called lambs, and they are easily characterized by their soft, woolly coats and rapid growth. Once the lambs cross one year, the males are called ram and the females are called as ewe.
Birth and early life
Infant sheep are born after a gestation period of approximately 145-155 days. A lamb is generally covered in a woolly fleece after birth, which may be wet and matted from the birthing process. The newborn lambs are highly dependent on their mothers for nutrition and warmth. They can stand and walk within a few hours after birth. Because they are born with a full set of hooves. The lambs grow rapidly, and it is very important for their survival on farms and also in the wild.
Rapid physical growth
Infant sheep grow quickly in their early months. They rely entirely on their mother’s milk for nutrition during their first week of age. They gradually begin to graze on grass and other forage, and reduce their dependence on their mother’s milk. They start to develop their rumen at their one to three months of age. After that, they continue to grow rapidly during their 3 to 12 months of age period. They are generally weaned within their 3-4 months of age. After this period, they may start to exhibit behaviors typical of adult sheep (such as social interactions and territorial behaviors).
Dietary and nutritional requirements
Ensuring proper nutrition of the infant sheep is very important. They rely on colostrum initially. But they require a balanced and nutritious diet once weaned. Grass and hay provide the necessary fiber for rumen development and overall good health. Grains and supplements can help to meet their energy and protein needs. And this is very important especially if you raise your sheep in intensive farming systems. Also add adequate vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure that the lams receive essential nutrients. And always provide them enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Never provide them contaminated food or polluted water.
health care
Perform regular health checkups and vaccinate your lambs timely. Worms and parasites are very common in infant sheep, and they can cause significant health problems. Deworming regularly and good pasture management can help to reduce these problems. Sometimes the lambs may suffer from some common conditions like joint ill or scours (diarrhea). Contact a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any of these conditions. Also perform regular hoof trimming and inspection. Doing this will help to prevent lameness and other foot-related issues.
housing and shelter
Providing the infant sheep with adequate shelter or housing facilities is also very important. A good shelter helps the lambs to stay safe from the predators and extreme weather conditions. Always keep their shelters clean, dry and well-ventilated. Ensuring these facilities will help the sheep to prevent diseases and other health problems. Also arrange good and comfortable bedding for the lambs inside their shelter.
Importance and uses
The infant sheep has many uses and it is very important in agriculture. The lambs are used for their wool and meat. Lamb meat is a very popular product in many cuisines throughout the world. And lamb wool is valued in the textile industry. The lambs are also used in scientific research, mainly because of their rapid growth and reproductive characteristics. Scientists use them to study animal health, genetics, and farming practices.
Taking good care of the infant sheep is very important. So, always try to take good care of them. Consider sharing this guide with your friends and family members if you find it helpful. Good luck and may God bless you!
