81 Facts About Sheep To Know Before Your Next Visit To A Farm

One of the most endearing and useful animals for humans happens to be sheep.

Sheep's wool has been used by humans for generations. As a matter of fact, the entire world battles winters with the help of wool derived from sheep.

The sheep that the sheep industry chooses to breed are very profitable. Sheep cannot exactly be classified as cattle but they are used as farm animals around the world.

Exotic species of sheep are used for various purposes. Sheep are herbivores, which means they feed on plants. The American sheep industry adds about $2 billion to the economy every year!

A young sheep is known as a lamb. Lambs are generally younger than 12 months. Baby lambs are taken between 6-10 weeks for meat purposes around the world. Lamb meat is almost as profitable as mutton. Sheep meat is served as food all around the world while sheep derive their food from cellulose.

Sheep wool is very popular around the world and sheep’s wool is fire resistant. Now you have another reason to flaunt your wool coat when you go out!

A male sheep is known as a ram, while a female sheep is called a ewe and a baby sheep is called a lamb. Sheep have wild species as well as ones who are domestic breeds. One of the more famous wild sheep is the 'Ovis Canadensis' found in North America.

There are much more fun facts about sheep which we will look into together. Afterward, also understand the difference between lamb and sheep and explore our facts about goat vs lamb.

Fun Facts About Sheep

There are a lot of facts about sheep that are very fascinating. These facts include details about sheep milk, sheep wool, and sheep lamb, amongst other things.

• These animals are generally domestic in nature. They are friendly enough and they stay in groups called a flock.
• The domestic sheep can see only up to 20 ft (6.1 m) in front of it. Wild sheep have much better vision since they have to look out for predators.
• Sheep tend to cry in pain or during situations that release stress hormones.
• Sheep actually like being petted, and they are friendly.
• Sheep were the first animals to be cloned. In 1995, Dolly the sheep came into existence, making sheep the first mammal to be successfully cloned.
• Sheep fat, called tallow, is used for roasting vegetables or meat searing.
• Sheep gut has been used to make the strings for instruments like guitars and violins while also being used for surgical purposes.
• Sheep horns have a distinct turn in their structure; sheep tend to have four horns later in life due to genetic mutations.
• The wool from domestic sheep is used for clothing purposes as well as stuff like carpets, and blankets.
• Sheep need to stay in a flock for proper farming purposes.

Facts About Sheep's Wool

Sheep wool is very popular since it serves a lot of purposes and is environmentally friendly. All kinds of sheep species are domesticated for wool purposes.

A well-fed sheep can be very fond of humans, providing them enough wool. A single sheep can produce about 2-30 lb (0.9-13.6 kg) of wool annually. Just think about how much wool could be generated from a flock full of sheep!

• Sheep wool contains enormous amounts of nitrogen and water, which is why it has such a high ignition point.
• Due to the presence of nitrogen and water, wool is environmentally friendly as well.
• Wool is biodegradable (which means it can be decomposed by natural forces) and renewable (can be used again after processing). For this very reason, wool is the most recycled fiber around the world.
• Sheep wool tends to reduce body odor when worn. Wool deals with the moisture from sweat on our skin which cuts off body odor.
• Wool is very strain resistant as well and wool is very flexible and durable.
• Australia is the highest wool-producing country in the entire world. Australian wool is of very good quality as well.
• Humans have been using wool for clothing since the early Stone Age! This makes wool one of the oldest and most important commodities in the world.

Facts About Sheep's Milk

You’ll be disappointed to know that a male sheep or ram does not produce milk but female sheep produce more than enough milk to suffice.

• Sheep milk is profitable for any farm in addition to the wool that sheep produce.
• Typically, a domestic sheep can produce up to 0.6 gal (2.3 l) per day, which is a huge amount.
• Sheep milk is considered to be nutritious as well and is a great source of calcium.
• One of the reasons why sheep milk is so popular is its nutritional value (even more than cow or goat milk). It is loaded with healthy fats, proteins with vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, sheep milk also contains magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and various vitamins. The protein content of sheep milk is higher than cow milk.
• A lot of people are intolerant to milk while many also have allergies. Sheep milk is actually good for people with such problems. Sheep milk is more digestible which makes it good for people with lactose intolerance.
• Due to the thick nature of sheep milk, one of the most common uses of this milk is making cheese. Feta and Ricotta are popular examples.
• Sheep milk enhances the body’s immunity due to the presence of vitamins like vitamins A and E. It also has antioxidants in it.
• Since sheep milk is very rich in protein, it enhances the build of muscle cells and tissues while also providing nourishment to the bones.
• One of the main reasons to consume sheep's milk is the fact that it helps prevent cancer due to the presence of nucleotides/nucleosides.

Facts About Sheep Farming

The main thing about sheep is that they have to be maintained properly in order to provide nutritious milk and wool. Sheep farming is obviously a huge investment since you need a large area and processing plants around the same region to make profits.

Sheep farmers are, therefore, very careful about their farming methods and we shall take a look at the processes and facts about sheep farming around the world.

• Sheep are herbivores which means whichever area they're being kept at should have plenty of plants, grass, and seeds so that their food requirements are met.
• Sheep farming cannot happen with a lone sheep. A lone sheep tends to suffer from isolation and stress symptoms which leads to negative results. Thus, a farm needs to have a huge flock of sheep to keep the sheep happy. Since sheep are very friendly and expressive in their needs, it's easier to tend to them.
• Sheep farming actually requires a huge amount of labor since different parts of sheep require different needs. Some people are assigned to shear sheep and cut the wool. This wool then needs to be produced into thinner fibers so that it can be used by clothing industries to make garments.
• One of the reasons why sheep farming is really tough is because lambs are susceptible to a host of diseases. The most common of these diseases is anthrax (which is a bacterial infection).
• Sheep infected with anthrax generally tend to succumb to sudden death. Other diseases include blackleg, tetanus, and enterotoxemia. Most of these are avoidable if the farms maintain proper hygiene.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 81 Facts about sheep to know before your next visit to a farm then why not take a look at smallest goat breed, or how to raise goats?