Chapter 2. HOW TO CHOOSE GOOD SHEEP

ORIGIN AND KINDS OF SHEEP

ORIGIN OF SHEEP

Sheep of different breeds were introduced in the Caribbean 300 years ago.

They came from Europe and  Africa.

Sheep arrived from different countries,  got together in the Caribbean and finally produced native sheep.

These kinds of sheep are easily raised and live without difficulty in the Caribbean.

THE NATIVE SHEEP

The native sheep is a hardy  sheep and has adapted very well to local conditions in the Caribbean.

This is why sheep are so  popular in the Caribbean.

HAIR SHEEP

Wool is not a good coat in  a hot and humid climate.

These sheep have lost their  wool.

They are often called  "hair sheep".

They are also called "tropical sheep"  because they are well adapted to the tropics.

The hair sheep's outstanding feature is:

KINDS OF SHEEP

In the Caribbean there are different kinds of hair sheep, such as:

West African
Virgin Island Sheep
Bahamas Natives
Pelibuey
Blackhead Persian
Tabasco

 Let us see how much you have learned

Fill in the blanks  with the correct word:

1. Native sheep are easily _____.
2. Native sheep are ___ adapted to the tropics.
3. Wool is ___ a good coat in the Caribbean.
4. Sheep that have ____ their wool are called "hair sheep".
5. The most important characteristic of hair sheep is __ .
6. In the Caribbean there are ____ kinds of hair sheep.

Answers to page 23:

1. Native sheep are easily raised.
2. Native sheep are well adapted to the tropics.
3. Wool is not a good coat in the Caribbean.
4. Sheep that have lost their wool are called "hair sheep".
5. The most important characteristic of hair sheep is fertility.
6. In the Caribbean there are different kinds of hair sheep.

CHOOSING GOOD SHEEP

What can you do in order to have good  productive sheep ?

First: Select good animals.

Second: Breed them well.

Third: Raise and feed them properly.

Why select good animals?

Good sheep assure you a  superior production. This means: healthy lambs and high quality meat.

Poor sheep produces loss in  forage, time and money.

It is important to select animals

If you have a large herd,  you can select breeding stock from the ones you raise.

If you want to buy sheep, you have to choose a young healthy animal.

How can we know a good sheep from a poor one?

This is a good sheep.

It has: bright eyes
shiny coat
large body

This is a poor sheep.

It has: cloudy eyes
dull coat
small body

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SHEEP

A healthy sheep has the skin  free of sores and dandruff.

A good sheep is medium or  large framed.

A good sheep has straight  legs.

A good sheep has strong  healthy feet.

Which sheep would you choose:

Answers

Either 3 or 4 are a good choice. Looking at their teeth we will know the age, and decide which to select.

Sheep 1 is lame, it could not find food easily.

Sheep 2 is too small, this means poor meat yield.

Sheep 5 has wool, she may be a poor producer.

A good sheep has

Sheep are for meat

So, pay special attention to the body.

It should have:

- Wide loins, good legs

- Rear legs with a large round  deep down to the hock to produce a good leg of lamb.

 Please underline the correct answer

A good sheep has :

1. bright eyes -------- cloudy eyes
2. dull coat ----------- shiny coat
3. clean skin ---------- skin with dandruff
4. unhealthy feet ------ healthy feet
5. large loin -------- narrow loin
6. large or medium ---- small body framed body
7. straight legs ------ crooked legs

 Answers to page 34:

A good sheep has:

1)	bright eyes
2)		shiny coat
3)	clean skin
4)		healthy feet
5)	large loin
6)	large or medium framed body
7)	straight legs

The age of sheep

 You know the age of sheep by looking at their teeth

From 3 to 4 years old, sheep have 6 permanent teeth.

From 4 to 5 years old, they have 8 permanent teeth (full mouth).

After 5 years old, teeth wear out, they spread apart, they become loose and some fall out.

Test on age of sheep

Have a look at these teeth.

What age may the sheep be?

Answers to page 37:

Principal characteristics of a good ewe

Udder and teats are not  large as in milk goats.

Udder should be without  hard places, warts, sores or scars.

A good ram

BUYING SHEEP

What to buy if you have money for one or two sheep?

- a one or two year old ewe	good
- a lactating young ewe	better
- a pregnant young ewe	best

Do not buy

lambs: because they might die.

fat sheep: because they are poor breeders and they give little milk.

Do not forget

Sheep for replacement

- keep sheep that grow faster

- keep lambs with a high weight at birth

- keep lambs of multiple births, if their  parents have other good traits

Remember

TEST N° 1

1. Native sheep are _____ adapted to the tropics.
2. Sheep that have _____ their wool are called "hair sheep".
3. The most important characteristic of hair sheep is _____.
4. A lame sheep cannot find _____ easily.
5. A small sheep will have ____ meat yield.
6. A good sheep has _____ eyes, _____ coat, ______ legs and _____ skin.
7. If we look at the teeth, we will know the _____ of a sheep.
8. A sheep with, two adult teeth and 6 milk teeth is _____ year old.
9. A good ewe has its _____ without hard places, scars or sores.
10. A good ram has _____ testicles and wide apart squarely set _____.
11. It is better not to buy lambs, because they might _____.
12. The best ewe to buy is a young _____ ewe.

Answers to Test N°1

1. Native sheep are well adapted to the tropics.
2. Sheep that have lost their wool are called "hair sheep".
3. The most important characteristic of hair sheep is fertility.
4. A lame sheep cannot find food easily.
5. A small sheep will have poor meat yield.
6. A good sheep has bright eyes, shiny coat, straight legs and clean skin.
7. If we look at the teeth, we will know the age of a sheep.
8. A sheep with two adult teeth and 6 milk teeth is one year old.
9. A good ewe has its udder without hard places, scars or sores.
10. A good ram has two testicles and wide apart squarely set legs.
11. It is better not to buy lambs, because they might die.
12. The best ewe to buy is a young pregnant ewe.