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Fundamental information on sheep biology

Raising sheep is a fun and rewarding way of life, and it can also be quite lucrative. If you are interested in obtaining rams and prey for sheep farming, it is important that you know all aspects of sheep farming. This includes obtaining, breeding, insemination, calving, nutrition, feeding, and much more. All of this educational obligation can be a bit overwhelming at first, so starting with basic sheep biology is a good way to go. Read on to learn about sheep taxonomy, domestication, life expectancy, vital signs, and more.

Sheep classification

Sheep are classified as their own species of cattle; however, they are more similar to goats in terms of origin, structure, and more. In addition to being closely related to goats, sheep retain the following taxonomy:

Kingdom = Animalia

Phylum = Chordata

Subphylum = Vertibrata

Class = Mammalia

Order = Ungulata

Suborder = Artiodactyla

Family = Bovids

Subfamily = Caprinae

Gender = Ovis

Species = Aries

Domestication

Like dogs and cats, sheep can also be domesticated, but for agricultural purposes and not as companionship. In fact, sheep were one of the first animals to be domesticated for agricultural purposes, beginning more than 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic and Mesolithic eras.

Life expectancy

If properly cared for and never subjected to predators in the wild, sheep can live a long time. On average, the life expectancy of sheep ranges from 10 to 12 years. This is similar to the average life expectancy of large breed canines. The oldest sheep to date is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It was a merino sheep that lived to be 23 years old. Interestingly, cows live longer than sheep!

Productivity expectation

Regarding productivity (calving, wool, milk, etc.), sheep have an earlier expiration date. Sheep usually start to lose productivity after 6 or 7 years. This is when they are generally removed from flocks. Younger sheep and lambs are genetically superior to older sheep. You can determine the age of a sheep by checking its incisors. The placement and growth of your teeth change distinctively with each age cycle.

Vital signs

Sheep vital signs are how breeders can measure their biological and physiological statistics. This helps to determine the state of health and whether the sheep is suffering or not. Common vital signs used to do this include body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Average body temperature is between 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit, average heart rate is between 60 and 90 beats per minute, and average breathing readings are between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. If the vital signs are within these averages, the sheep are healthy.

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