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 livestock should be the first concern. Beginning with unhealthy sheep is recipe for disappointment, making health the most vital aspect. Normally, healthy lambs are bright and alert and do not isolate themselves from the rest of the flock. A lamb which is healthy should look healthy based on its age, nutrition, and stage of production.
Farms where lambs display certain symptoms of being ill should be avoided. Limping, pink eyes, awfully poor body shape up, animals having abscesses, sore oral lesions and respiratory symptoms are some of the signs to look for. Sneezing, running noses and snorting consist of respiratory signs one should pay attention to. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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.
In conclusion, the overall structure of the sheep is another aspect to focus on. Its feet and legs should be squarely at the corner of the body and straight. The conformation varies from one breed to the other. However, people tend to have a preference for smooth shoulders and straight backs.
Health of the livestock should be the first concern. Beginning with unhealthy sheep is recipe for disappointment, making health the most vital aspect. Normally, healthy lambs are bright and alert and do not isolate themselves from the rest of the flock. A lamb which is healthy should look healthy based on its age, nutrition, and stage of production.
Farms where lambs display certain symptoms of being ill should be avoided. Limping, pink eyes, awfully poor body shape up, animals having abscesses, sore oral lesions and respiratory symptoms are some of the signs to look for. Sneezing, running noses and snorting consist of respiratory signs one should pay attention to. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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.
In conclusion, the overall structure of the sheep is another aspect to focus on. Its feet and legs should be squarely at the corner of the body and straight. The conformation varies from one breed to the other. However, people tend to have a preference for smooth shoulders and straight backs.
About the Author:
If you are interested in breeding stock lambs KY area we urge you to pay a quick visit to our updated website. Find the relevant link to click on right here http://www.kentuckylamb.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment