What’s the difference between goats and sheep?

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Sheep and Goats

Sheep & Goats look alike. They are closely related and

have been domesticated for a long time (8,000-10,000 years).

Both are ruminants. Both are raised for food and

clothing.

Products

ClothingWool from sheepMohair & Cashmere from goats

FoodMeat

Sheep = mutton/lambGoat = chevon

MilkPrimarily goats

Problems

Foot Rot – caused by bacteria. Occurs when the animals are in wet conditions. Animal becomes lame and smell bad.

Ringworm – fungus *contagious Rectal Prolapse – protrusion of

the rectum

Sheep Production

Why choose sheep?

Sheep can survive where cows can’t

Sheep will eat problem weeds and plants

Easier to get started due to less equipment needed

Breed Categories

Wool TypeMeat TypeDual Purpose

Feeding Sheep

Mostly roughages (grasses)

Concentrates (grains) for finishing

Average adult eats about 4 lbs..... dry feed per day

Sheep Management

Identification: mark lambs with paint brands, or ear tags or tattoo ears (purebreds)

Docking: cut off tailstails are a botherbetween 1st and 2nd vertebrae of tailElastrator: rubber band cuts off circulationHot Iron: electric, heated knife stops

bleeding

Sheep Management

Castration: remove testicles ElastratorCut with a knifeBurdizzo crushes cords

Dock & Castrate before 6 weeks old

Wean at 5-6 months or 100 lbs..... Shear at least once per year = $

Shearing Sheep

Cutting or shaving the wool off of a sheep is called shearing. Shearing doesn't hurt a sheep. It's

just like getting a haircut. Sheep are usually sheared once per

year, usually in the spring before the onset of warm weather. Sheep with long fleeces are sometimes sheared twice a year.

Sheep Terms

What do you call an adult male? Ram What do you call an adult female? Ewe What do you call the act of giving

birth? Lambing

Sheep Terms

What do you call a castrated male? Wether What is the gestation for sheep? 147 days What do you call a young female? Ewe Lamb

Breeds of Sheep

1,000 distinct breeds of sheep, with 50 breeds in North America

Many of these breeds are rare and some are in danger of extinction

In the U.S., four breeds account for more than two-thirds of the sheep population

Sheep Breeds Four major uses of

sheep: Meat Wool Milk Multipurpose

Two major types of sheep breeds Wool sheep Hair sheep (meat)

Breeds of Sheep

Sheep are raised for wool and meat; some provide milk for cheese-making

Breeds can be classified according the type of wool they produce: Fine wool Medium wool Long wool Crossbred wool Hair sheep

www.damaras.com

Dorsetdual purpose & great breeders/mothers

Dorset Originated in Europe Medium-sized breed

with high quality, white wool

Most popular white-faced breed in the United States

Horned and polled varieties exist

Great breeders

Interesting fact

Polled Dorsets originated at North Carolina State, Raleigh, NC, and were apparently the result of a mutation which occurred in the purebred Horned Dorset flock at the college.

Cheviot Originated in Scotland Resistant to cold, windy

conditions Smaller breed White, wool free faces Long wool type Wool has a crimp Tend to be resistant to

worms and footrot Good mothers

Columbia

Developed by the US Department of Ag

Developed to thrive on Western ranges

Produce medium wool and large amounts of meat

Corriedale

Developed in New Zealand & Australia

Dual purpose breed Produces bulky,

high density wool Most popular breed

in South America

Shropshire Heaviest wool

producers among medium-wool breeds

Medium-sized Dual purpose

breed suitable for both meat and wool

Dorper From South Africa Thick skin that is made

up of hair and wool Extremely adaptable

with a high ability to flourish, grow and produce and reproduce in irregular and low rainfall events

Hampshire Originated in

Hampshire, England Black face and legs Mild demeanor Unbroken wool cap

should extend from the neck over the forehead

Jacob

Originated in England Two, four, or six horns Black and white fleece Fleece is highly sought

after Unimproved breed

Lincoln

Originated in England

The largest breed of sheep

Long-wooled breed White faces Pronounced forelock

between the ears

Merino Originated in Australia Primarily a wool breed Fine wool White-faced Most popular breed in Australia Long life span High quality wool used in the

textile industry Cadillac of the wool industry

Oxford

Originated in England Second largest sheep

breed Meat-type breed Tends to forage for its

own food White with black ears

and bridge of nose

Rambouillet

Originated in Spain Shipped to France in

1801 White in color Largest fine wool

breed Good mothers Good foragers

Southdown

Developed in England

Well suited to farm flock production

Gray face with white body

Adapted to wet conditions

Suffolk

Originated in England Most popular breed in

the US today Produce large

amounts of meat Low quality wool White with black faces

and legs

Montadale Medium-wool,

dual-purpose breed

Produce high quality carcasses and excellent wool that is very white in color

Finnsheep

Developed in Finland

Small and very adaptable

Large lamb crop Great mothering

ability and milk production

Katahdin hair sheep a breed of hair sheep

developed in the United States Maine

Their smooth hair coat and other adaptive characteristics allow them to tolerate heat and humidity well.

also significantly tolerant of internal and external parasites

Polypay

Developed by USDA High lifetime

prolificacy Large lamb crop at

one year of age Ability to lamb more

frequently than once per year

Rapid growth rate of lambs

Barbado Hair sheep originated

in Texas Males are horned and

females are polled Color is usually tan,

tan with pale or black belly, or “pied” (has two or more colors in large spots or blotches

Shetland A small, wool-producing

breed of sheep originating in the Shetland Isles

Known for it’s fine wool and meat

small and slow-growing compared to commercial breeds, they are hardy, thrifty, easy lambers, adaptable and long-lived

GoatsGoats

goat Termsgoat Terms

•What do you call an adult male?What do you call an adult male?

Buck/BillyBuck/Billy•What do you call an adult What do you call an adult

female?female?

DoeDoe•What do you call the act of giving What do you call the act of giving

birth? birth?

KiddingKidding

Goat TermsGoat Terms

•What do you call a castrated What do you call a castrated male?male?

WetherWether•What is the gestation for goat?What is the gestation for goat?

151 days151 days•What do you call a young goat?What do you call a young goat?

KidKid

Goat TypesGoat Types

1.1. Milk/Dairy GoatsMilk/Dairy Goats

2.2. Meat GoatsMeat Goats• Chevon – adult goatChevon – adult goat• Cabritto – young goatCabritto – young goat

3.3. Fiber Goats (Mohair, Fiber Goats (Mohair, Cashmere)Cashmere)

4.4. Pygmy Goats – kept as petsPygmy Goats – kept as pets

South African Boer GoatSouth African Boer Goat This breed is used This breed is used

mainly for meatmainly for meat Good muscle to bone Good muscle to bone

ratioratio Mix of Indian, angora, Mix of Indian, angora,

and European goats.and European goats. The name boar comes The name boar comes

from the Dutch word from the Dutch word meaning ‘farmer’meaning ‘farmer’

Characteristically white Characteristically white body, droopy brown body, droopy brown ears, brown face, and ears, brown face, and horns, short curled tail.horns, short curled tail.

Fine, short coatFine, short coat

More on the Boer GoatMore on the Boer GoatEwe (female) usually weighs between 200-225lbs, and is 25” in height.

Ram (male) weighs 200-225lbs.

First goat breed involved in meat production performance testing.

Quiet temperament

Usually have twins, triplets, or quads, and are good milk producers for their kids.

Originally bred in South Africa.

Pygmy Goats! Pygmy Goats! Pygmy GoatsPygmy Goats

Pygmies!!!Pygmies!!! Originated from Originated from

Cameroon dwarf goatsCameroon dwarf goats Very small breed, 8-Very small breed, 8-

36lbs, 15-17”36lbs, 15-17” Produce milk, but are Produce milk, but are

raised mainly for show raised mainly for show or petting farmsor petting farms

Can come in various Can come in various color combinations, color combinations, but the main colors but the main colors are black, dark are black, dark brown/mahogany, and brown/mahogany, and medium brown.medium brown.

Native to west AfricaNative to west Africa

More PygmiesMore Pygmies

Pygmies are very docile and affectionate Pygmies are very docile and affectionate creatures, some people even keep them creatures, some people even keep them as pets.as pets.

Pygmies hair is straight and Pygmies hair is straight and

medium-long and varies withmedium-long and varies with

seasons.seasons. Wethers (castrated males)Wethers (castrated males)

are known to have urinary are known to have urinary

problemsproblems

AngorasAngoras Used mainly for their soft, Used mainly for their soft,

thick white wool.thick white wool. Originally from the Himalayas.Originally from the Himalayas. Males have horns, some Males have horns, some

females also have them, but females also have them, but smaller.smaller.

Usually good jumpers, and are Usually good jumpers, and are less active than normal dairy less active than normal dairy goats.goats.

Although they are usually kept Although they are usually kept for their mohair, they are good for their mohair, they are good milk producers; they can milk producers; they can make up to 15 pints a day.make up to 15 pints a day.

More on AngorasMore on Angoras

When born, Angoras can weigh 4-8lbs, When born, Angoras can weigh 4-8lbs, when they are 16-18 months old, up to 55-when they are 16-18 months old, up to 55-65lbs. 65lbs.

Fully mature does weigh 75-100lbs, bucks Fully mature does weigh 75-100lbs, bucks weigh 85-125 lbs.weigh 85-125 lbs.

Angoras are known to be more at risk for Angoras are known to be more at risk for health problems than other livestock, kids health problems than other livestock, kids can get coccidiosis.can get coccidiosis.

CoccidiosisCoccidiosis: parasites that infect the : parasites that infect the intestine intestine

NubianNubian Used for milk and meatUsed for milk and meat Large goat with big, floppy ears, mainly brown or Large goat with big, floppy ears, mainly brown or

black hairblack hair One of the most commonly used dairy breeds.One of the most commonly used dairy breeds. Originally from Egypt.Originally from Egypt. Average less milk than otherAverage less milk than otherdairy breedsdairy breeds Very friendly and love Very friendly and love people.people. Males weight up to 50-70 kg, Males weight up to 50-70 kg, 85 cm wither height.85 cm wither height. Short, sleek coatShort, sleek coat

ToggenburgToggenburg Swiss dairy goat named Swiss dairy goat named

after Toggenburg Valley, after Toggenburg Valley, Switzerland, so they like Switzerland, so they like cooler whether.cooler whether.

Known for being the oldest Known for being the oldest dairy breed of goat.dairy breed of goat.

Very strong, can carry Very strong, can carry large quantities.large quantities.

Excellent milk productionExcellent milk production Medium-sized sturdy Medium-sized sturdy

breed, does weigh 120lbs.breed, does weigh 120lbs. Hair is medium, flat, and Hair is medium, flat, and

soft.soft.

Toggenburgs continuedToggenburgs continued

Have 2 white Have 2 white stripes on either stripes on either side of their face, side of their face, hind legs and back hind legs and back of tail also white; of tail also white; brown bodybrown body

Straight or dished Straight or dished profile, erect ears.profile, erect ears.

Generally easy to Generally easy to managemanage

SaanenSaanen

Originated in Originated in SwitzerlandSwitzerland

White is the only White is the only acceptable coloracceptable color

Sensitive to heat Sensitive to heat and sunlightand sunlight

Heavy milk Heavy milk producersproducers

MyotonicMyotonic

Meat breedMeat breed Breed out of seasonBreed out of season Easy kiddersEasy kidders Good milkersGood milkers Also Known As:Also Known As:

– Tennessee Stiff-Tennessee Stiff-Legged GoatLegged Goat

– Fainting GoatFainting Goat You Tube Video of You Tube Video of

Fainting GoatsFainting Goats

La ManchaLa Mancha

Dairy goatDairy goat Naturally Naturally

“earless”“earless” Developed in Developed in

Oregon with goats Oregon with goats from Spainfrom Spain

Hardy dairy breed Hardy dairy breed with a high with a high butterfatbutterfat

AlpinesAlpines Originated in Switzerland Originated in Switzerland Then later moved to France, Then later moved to France,

England and then the United England and then the United States.States.

They are mostly brown, black They are mostly brown, black or white but can be any other or white but can be any other color as well. color as well.

They have a strait faceThey have a strait face Contain curved, dished or Contain curved, dished or

roman noses roman noses Upright, erect, medium sized Upright, erect, medium sized

ears ears They are mostly shorthaired They are mostly shorthaired

but bucks usually have long but bucks usually have long hair along their spinehair along their spine

Alpines cont.Alpines cont. Females are usually 30 inches Females are usually 30 inches

tall and should weigh at least tall and should weigh at least 135 pounds.135 pounds.

Males can range from 34 to Males can range from 34 to 40 inches tall. They usually 40 inches tall. They usually weigh at least 170 pounds.weigh at least 170 pounds.

Females are usually excellent Females are usually excellent milkersmilkers

These can adapt in any These can adapt in any climate while maintaining climate while maintaining their health and good their health and good production production

The EndThe End