One of the essential things dairy farmers should do is test the quality of the milk they produce. So many factors could go wrong and adversely affect the milk, which could lead to severe health risks. That’s why the government controls milk production so strictly. So, how can you test the quality of your milk, …
Sheep
Mastitis is a dairy farmer’s nightmare and a condition that most must deal with at some stage. It is a common disease in dairy sheep, occurring in five to ten percent of a herd. Dairy farmers must know how to deal with mastitis, including how to milk a sheep with mastitis. Sheep with mastitis cannot be …
Sheep milk is a versatile and nutritious dairy product that is enjoyed around the world. Not only is it an excellent source of protein and minerals, but also it has a wide range of uses. From cheeses and yogurts to soaps and lotions, sheep milk is a multi-purpose ingredient that can be used in many …
Did you know that foot problems account for two-thirds of antibiotic use in sheep? Yet, despite its significance, foot health is often overlooked in sheep. A lame sheep cannot graze adequately and becomes stressed if it is left behind when the flock moves off. A sheep unable to walk to the water trough soon becomes …
Many people know that puppies and kittens like to play, but they are surprised to learn that lambs also play. Stock animals such as lambs, calves, and piglets are not often viewed as playful animals. So it is surprising for some that lambs like to play, and they may want to know what lambs like …
Sheep are thought of as docile, calm, gentle animals. Generally, they are, but as with any species, a sheep can become aggressive. Many people are not intimidated by sheep, but a charging sheep should not be taken lightly. They can cause significant blunt-force trauma to the human body. Knowing what to do if a dairy …
Sheep milk is used for producing specialty cheeses, and the United States imports more than 50% of the world’s specialty cheeses. So, the country has a growing market for commercial dairy sheep farming. It’s still a small market, but it’s got huge potential. So, how can we get ewe to produce more milk? Dairy sheep will …
Dairy sheep sometimes reject their lambs, causing a major problem for farmers and shepherds. Lambing is a work-intensive time for shepherds, and having complications with ewes rejecting lambs adds to the general mayhem and exhaustion. It is useful to know what to do if a dairy sheep rejects her lamb. It allows the shepherd to …
On commercial dairy farms, lambs are often taken away from their mothers a day or two after they are born. This is quite traumatic for the lambs and the ewes. The wonderful thing about having a small-scale sheep dairy is that you can approach the process in a more ethical, humane way. A lamb should be …
How you store hay and feed it to your animals should minimize losses as far as possible while ensuring their nutritional intake is stable. Hay that is not stored well is subject to losing its nutritional value or becoming moldy. Additionally, how hay is fed to the animals will determine the percentage of feed loss …
The goal of a milking parlor is to milk dairy animals efficiently and ergonomically without causing them stress or harm. Ruminants need to spend most of their day resting and eating so they can make milk. They shouldn’t be cramped in holding areas for extended periods because the milking parlor is too small. But how …
If you own a herd of horned dairy sheep, you may have experienced the challenges that come with dealing with a broken horn. The injury can cause a significant amount of bleeding, which can be difficult to stop, and it’s essential to provide prompt treatment to ensure the well-being of your sheep. But how serious …
Sheep milk has slowly gained popularity in the United States dairy industry. Of the 40,000 estimated dairy farms in the US, only 200 are sheep dairy farms. However, people are learning of the health benefits of sheep milk and the advantages of sheep farming as a whole. United States law states that sheep milk must be …
The feral sheep of the old world didn’t have much wool. Instead, they had more hair than wool. Through selective breeding over the years, we’ve got a plethora of wooly sheep breeds that are useful for meat and dairy production, too. However, shearing sheep costs money and takes a lot of effort, so sheep farmers …
It’s utterly sweet watching lambs frolic around their mums in green pastures, but even that season must come to an end. Lambs must be weaned, ewes dried up, and everyone sorted before the next breeding season begins. Commercially fed ewes will take up to two weeks to dry up after weaning. However, they must be prepared …
As a sheep owner, one of your biggest concerns should be ensuring you feed them properly. A vital aspect of this proper feeding regime is knowing what to avoid feeding your sheep. As any sheep owner will tell you, controlling everything your lovable woolly friends eat is almost impossible. Still, you can try to mitigate …
Butter is a staple ingredient in many popular dishes, but very few recipes specify that you should use goat or sheep butter. Yet there are many benefits to using these alternatives to cow’s milk butter. But what are the differences between goat and sheep butter? What makes each unique? Goat butter and sheep butter have distinct …
The maturation of lambs is measured according to their complete independence from their dams and when they reach puberty. Until the age of one year, lambs are called ewe lambs or ram lambs, depending on their gender. After that, they are referred to as fully-grown ewes or rams. Lambs are considered mature and fully grown by …
When constructing a shelter for dairy sheep, it is essential to consider variables such as the sheep’s need for protection from the elements and potential predators. The amount of ventilation that will be provided and what type of flooring will be utilized in the space. Will you employ automated feeding and milking systems, and how …
If you want to start farming dairy sheep, you’ll no doubt research the best milk-producing sheep available. But what if you get a cranky ewe with horns? How easy is it to milk a sheep in a milking parlor or a homemade stanchion, and should you get a milk-producing ewe with horns or not? Not all …
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