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 A research flock at US Sheep Experiment Station near Dubois, Idaho | ||||||||||||||||
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| Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758 |
Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals kept as livestock. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Quadrupedalism (from Latin meaning "four legs" is a form of land animal locomotion using four legs. Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food Like all ruminants, sheep are even-toed ungulates, also commonly called cloven-hoofed animals. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about A cloven hoof is a Hoof split into two toes This is found on members within the Mammalian order Artiodactyla. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries. Domestic sheep are the most numerous species in their genus, and are most likely descended from the wild mouflon of Europe and Asia. This article refers to the sheep genus For the species commonly referred to simply as "sheep" see Domestic sheep. The mouflon ( Ovis orientalis orientalis group is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis.
One of the earliest animals to be domesticated for agricultural purposes, sheep are primarily valued for their fleece and meat. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture Wool is the fiber derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles of animals in the Caprinae family principally sheep, but the hair of certain species A sheep's wool is the most widely used of any animal, and is typically harvested by shearing. Wool is the fiber derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles of animals in the Caprinae family principally sheep, but the hair of certain species Sheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a Sheep is cut off Ovine meat is called lamb when from younger animals and mutton when from older ones. Lamb, hogget, and mutton are the meat of Domestic sheep. The meat of an animal in its first year is lamb; that of an older sheep is hogget Lamb, hogget, and mutton are the meat of Domestic sheep. The meat of an animal in its first year is lamb; that of an older sheep is hogget They continue to be important for wool and meat today, and are also occasionally raised for pelts, as dairy animals, or as model organisms for science. Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep, sometimes also called lambskin or lambswool. A dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal Milk &mdashmostly from goats or cows, but also from buffalo, Sheep A model organism is a Species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological Phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made
Sheep husbandry is practised throughout the inhabited world, and has played a pivotal role in many civilizations. Sheep husbandry is the raising and breeding of Domestic sheep, and a subcategory of Animal husbandry. In the modern era, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonian nations, and the United Kingdom are most closely associated with sheep production. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Llao LLaojpg|thumb|250px| Lake Nahuel Huapi, near Bariloche, Argentina The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Sheep-raising has a large lexicon of unique terms which vary considerably by region and dialect. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος dialektos) is a variety of a Language that is characteristic of a particular group of Use of the word sheep began in Middle English as a derivation of the Old English word scēap; it is both the singular and plural name for the animal. Middle English is the name given by Historical linguistics to the diverse forms of the English language spoken between the Norman invasion of A group of sheep is called a flock, herd or mob. A herd is a large group of animals The term is usually applied to mammals particularly Ungulates. Adult female sheep are referred to as ewes, intact males as rams, castrated males as wethers, and younger sheep as lambs. Castration (also referred to as Gelding, Neutering, Fixing, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy is any action surgical, chemical Many other specific terms for the various life stages of sheep exist, generally related to lambing, shearing, and age.
Being a key animal in the history of farming, sheep have a deeply entrenched place in human culture, and find representation in much modern language and symbology. Also known as processual symbolic analysis, symbology was developed by Victor Turner in the mid-1970s to refer to the use of symbols within cultural contexts in As livestock, sheep are most-often associated with pastoral, Arcadian imagery. Pastoral, as an adjective refers to the lifestyle of Shepherds and Pastoralists moving livestock around larger areas of land according to seasons and availability This page is about the proverbial land of Arcadia for the province in modern Greece see Arcadia; for other uses see Arcadia (disambiguation Sheep figure in many mythologies—such as the Golden Fleece—and major religions, especially the Abrahamic traditions. The word mythology (from the Greek grc μυθολογία mythología, meaning "a story-telling a legendary lore" In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece (Χρυσόμαλλον Δέρας is the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos (Χρυσόμαλλος In both ancient and modern religious ritual, sheep are used as sacrificial animals. Animal Sacrifice is the Ritual killing of an Animal as part of a Religion. In contemporary English language usage, people who are timid, easily led, or stupid are often compared to sheep. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States
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Etymology
- See also: Glossary of sheep husbandry
Etymologically, the word modern English language speakers now use to denote ovines is derived from the Old English term scēap, which is akin to the Old High German scāf and probably ultimately originated from Proto-Germanic or Gothic. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Proto-Germanic, or Common Germanic, is the hypothetical common ancestor ( Proto-language) of all the Germanic languages such as modern English Gothic is an extinct Germanic language that was spoken by the Goths. [1][2] Before 1200 AD, English spelling preferred scheap, and the shift to the currently used spelling did not occur until about 1280. [2]
The word ram derives from the Old English rom (dated to 725) and subsequently ramm (in use before 1325). [2] The word has always been closely associated with implements used in the application of force, such as the battering ram or the weight of a pile driver, but its earliest usage is in reference to male sheep. A battering ram is a Siege engine originating in ancient times to break open Fortification walls or doors A pile driver is a mechanical device used to drive Piles into soil to provide foundation support for buildings or other structures [2] Before 1300, ewe was usually written as ouwe, and it stems from the Old English ēowu. [2] Lamb is thought to be the oldest ovine term still used in an unchanged form; its first appearance is in 858. [2] It sprang from the Old English lomb (dated to 725), and the verb form is first recorded from 1611. [2]
Description
Domestic sheep are relatively small ruminants, typically with horns forming a lateral spiral and crimped hair called wool. The Merino is the most economically influential breed of sheep in the world prized for its Wool. Human anatomical terms make up a distinct nomenclature to describe areas of the body to provide orientation when describing parts of Human anatomy, and to In Mathematics, a spiral is a Curve which emanates from a central point getting progressively farther away as it revolves around the point Wool classing is an occupation in which people are trained to produce uniform predictable low risk lines of Wool. Domestic sheep differ from their wild relatives and ancestors in several respects, having become uniquely neotenic as a result of man's influence. Neoteny (niːˈɒtɨniː also called juvenilization, is the retention by adults in a species of traits previously seen only in juveniles ( pedomorphosis/paedomorphosis [3][4] A few primitive breeds of sheep retain some of the characteristics of their wild cousins, such as short tails. Depending on breed, domestic sheep may have no horns at all (polled), or horns in both sexes (as in wild sheep), or in males only. Most horned breeds have a single pair. [5]
Another trait unique to sheep are their wide variation in color. Wild sheep are largely variations of brown hues. Colors of domestic sheep range from pure white to dark chocolate brown and even spotted or piebald. A piebald is an animal especially a Horse, that has a spotting pattern of large white and black patches [6][7] Selection for easily dyeable white fleeces began early in sheep domestication, and as white wool is a dominant trait it spread quickly. However, colored sheep do appear in many modern breeds, and may even appear as a recessive trait in white flocks. [7][6] While white wool is desirable for large commercial markets, there is a niche market for colored fleeces, mostly for handspinning. A niche market is a focused targetable portion (subset of a market Spinning is an ancient textile art in which plant, animal or synthetic Fibers are twisted together to form Yarn (or thread [8]
Depending on breed, sheep show a range of heights and weights. Their rate of growth and mature weight is a heritable trait that is often selected for in breeding. In Genetics, Heritability is the proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that is attributable to genetic variation among individuals [9] Ewes typically weigh between 100 and 225 pounds (45–100 kg), with the larger rams between 100 and 350 pounds (45–160 kg). [10] Mature sheep have 32 teeth (dental formula: I:0/4 C:0/0 P:3/3 M:3/3). Dentition is the development of Teeth and their arrangement in the Mouth. As with other ruminants, the eight incisors are in the lower jaw and bite against a hard, toothless pad in the upper jaw; picking off vegetation. There are no canines, instead there is a large gap between the incisors and the premolars. Until the age of four (when all the adult teeth have erupted), it is possible to see the age of sheep from their front teeth, as a pair of incisors erupts each year.
The front teeth are gradually lost as sheep age, making it harder for them to feed and hindering the health and productivity of the animal. For this reason, domestic sheep on normal pasture begin to slowly decline from four years on, and the average life expectancy of a sheep is 10 to 12 years, though some sheep may live as long as 20 years. [5][11][12]
Sheep have good hearing, and are sensitive to noise when being handled. [13] Sheep have horizontal slit-shaped pupils, possessing excellent peripheral vision; with visual fields of approximately 270° to 320°, sheep can see behind themselves without turning their heads. Peripheral vision is a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze [14][8] However, sheep have poor depth perception; shadows and dips in the ground may cause sheep to balk. Depth perception is the visual ability to perceive the world in three Dimensions Although any animal capable of moving around its environment must be able to In general, sheep have a tendency to move out of the dark and into well-lit areas. [15] Sheep also have an excellent sense of smell, and—like all species of their genus—have scent glands just in front of the eyes, and interdigitally on the feet. The purpose of these glands is uncertain,[16] but those on the face may be used in breeding behaviors. [9] The interdigital glands might also be used in reproduction,[9] but alternative reasons, such as secretion of a waste product or a scent marker to help lost sheep find their flock, have also been proposed. [16]
Sheep and goats are closely related (both are in the subfamily Caprinae), and it can be difficult to distinguish them by their appearance. However, they are separate species, so hybrids rarely occur, and are always infertile. In Biology, hybrid has two meanings The first meaning is the result of interbreeding between two animals or plants of different taxa. A hybrid of a ewe and a buck (a male goat) is called a sheep-goat hybrid, and is not to be confused with the genetic chimera called a geep. A sheep–goat hybrid is the hybrid offspring of a Sheep and a Goat. In Zoology, a chimera is an animal that has two or more different populations of genetically distinct cells that originated in different Zygotes if the Geep can also refer to a series of railroad locomotives A sheep-goat chimera (sometimes called a geep in popular media is a chimera Visual differences between sheep and goats include the beard and divided upper lip unique to goats. Sheep tails also hang down, even when short or docked, while the tails of goats are held upwards. Docking is used as a term for the intentional removal of part of an animal's Tail or Ears The term Sheep breeds are also often naturally polled (either in both sexes or just in the female), while naturally polled goats are rare (though many are polled artificially). Polled livestock (or pollards) are Livestock of normally-horned species that are lacking horns either naturally or as a result of humans removing them Males of the two species differ in that buck goats acquire a unique and strong odor during the rut, whereas rams do not. The Rut is the period of time when antlered Ungulates mate Ungulates include Deer, Sheep, Elk, Moose, Caribou, [12]
Breeds
- See also: List of sheep breeds
The domestic sheep is a multi-purpose animal, and the more than 200 breeds now in existence were created to serve these diverse purposes. This is a list of domestic sheep breeds. Domestic sheep ( Ovis aries) are partially derived from Mouflon ( Ovis orientalis) stock and have diverged This is a list of domestic sheep breeds. Domestic sheep ( Ovis aries) are partially derived from Mouflon ( Ovis orientalis) stock and have diverged [17][5] Some sources give a count of a thousand or more breeds, but these numbers cannot be verified. [8][12] Almost all sheep are classified as being best suited to furnishing a certain product: wool, meat, milk, hides, or a combination in a dual-purpose breed. Other features used when classifying sheep include face color (generally white or black), tail length, presence or lack of horns, and the topography for which the breed has been developed. Topography ( topo-, "place" and graphia, "writing" is the study of Earth 's Surface features or those of Planets This last point is especially stressed in the UK, where breeds are described as either upland (hill or mountain) or lowland breeds. [15] A sheep may also be of a fat-tailed breed, which is a dual-purpose sheep common in Africa and Asia with larger deposits of fat within its tail. The fat-tailed sheep is a category of Domestic sheep that comprise approximately 25% of the world Sheep population (Davidson 1999
Breeds are also grouped based on how well they are suited to producing a certain type of breeding stock. Generally, sheep are thought to be either "ewe breeds" or "ram breeds". Ewe breeds are those that are hardy, and have good reproductive and mothering capabilities—they are for replacing breeding ewes in standing flocks. Ram breeds are selected for rapid growth and carcass quality, and are mated with ewe breeds to produce meat lambs. Lowland and upland breeds are also crossed in this fashion, with the hardy hill ewes crossed with larger, fast-growing lowland rams to produce ewes called mules, which can then be crossed with meat-type rams to produce prime market lambs. In Sheep farming the term Mule is used to refer to a cross between a Lowland ram (usually a Bluefaced Leicester) and a purebred Upland [15] Many breeds, especially rare or primitive ones, fall into no clear category.
Breeds are categorized by the type of their wool. Fine wool breeds are those that have wool of great crimp and density, which are preferred for textiles. Most of these were derived from Merino sheep, and the breed continues to dominate the world sheep industry. The Merino is the most economically influential breed of sheep in the world prized for its Wool. The record for the most valuable sheep belongs to an Australian Merino ram that was sold for $16,000 AUD. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas [18] Medium wool breeds have wool between the extremes, and are typically fast-growing meat and ram breeds with dark faces. Some major medium wool breeds, such as the Corriedale, are dual-purpose crosses of long and fine-wooled breeds and were created for high-production commercial flocks. Corriedale sheep are a dual purpose breed, meaning they are used both in the production of Wool and meat. Long wool breeds are the largest of sheep, with long wool and a slow rate of growth. Long wool sheep are most valued for crossbreeding to improve the attributes of other sheep types. For example: the American Columbia breed was developed by crossing Lincoln rams (a long wool breed) with fine-wooled Rambouillet ewes. The Columbia is one of the first breeds of Sheep developed in the United States. The Lincoln, sometimes called the Lincoln Longwool, is a breed of sheep from England. The Rambouillet is also known as the Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino
Coarse or carpet wool sheep are those with a medium to long length wool of characteristic coarseness. A carpet is any loom-woven felted textile or grass floor covering Breeds traditionally used for carpet wool show great variability, but the chief requirement is a wool that will not break down under heavy use (as would that of the finer breeds). As the demand for carpet-quality wool declines, some breeders of this type of sheep are attempting to use a few of these traditional breeds for alternative purposes. Others have always been primarily meat-class sheep. [19]
A minor class of sheep are the dairy breeds. A dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal Milk &mdashmostly from goats or cows, but also from buffalo, Sheep Dual-purpose breeds that may primarily be meat or wool sheep are often used secondarily as milking animals, but there are a few breeds that are predominantly used for milking. These sheep do produce a higher quantity of milk and have slightly longer lactation curves. [20] In the quality of their milk, fat and protein content percentages of dairy sheep vary from non-dairy breeds but lactose content does not. [21]
A last group of sheep breeds is that of fur or hair sheep, which do not grow wool at all. Hair sheep are similar to the early domesticated sheep kept before woolly breeds were developed, and are raised for meat and pelts. Some modern breeds of hair sheep, such as the Dorper, result from crosses between wooled and hair breeds. The Dorper is a South African breed of Domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep For meat and hide producers, hair sheep are cheaper to keep, as they do not need shearing. [19] Hair sheep are also resistant to parasites and hot weather. [12]
With the modern rise of corporate agribusiness and the decline of localized family farms, many breeds of sheep are in danger of extinction. In Agriculture, agribusiness is a generic term that refers to the various Businesses involved in Food production including Farming, Seed A family farm is a farm owned and operated by a family and passed down from Generation to generation The Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the UK lists 25 native breeds as having only 3,000 registered animals, and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists 14 as having fewer than 10,000. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust ( RBST) is a conservation charity whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the United Kingdom ’s native The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a Nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in based in Pittsboro North Carolina. [22][23] Preferences for breeds with uniform characteristics and fast growth have pushed heritage (or heirloom) breeds to the margins of the sheep industry. [19] Those that remain are maintained through the efforts of conservation organizations, breed registries, and individual farmers dedicated to their preservation.
Diet
Sheep are exclusively herbivorous mammals. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell Like all ruminants, sheep have a complex digestive system composed of four chambers, allowing them to break down cellulose from stems, leaves, and seed hulls into simpler carbohydrates. Digestion is the breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed Cellulose is an Organic compound with the formula, a Polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4 Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most When sheep graze, vegetation is chewed into a mass called a bolus, which is then passed into the first chamber: the rumen. The rumen, also known as a paunch, forms the larger part of the Reticulorumen, which is the first chamber in the Alimentary canal of Ruminant The rumen is a 5- to 10-gallon (19–38 l) organ which ferments feed via a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria, protozoa, and yeasts of the gut flora. This article is about the biological phenomenon for other uses see Symbiosis (disambiguation The term symbiosis (from the Greek The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have Protozoa (in Greek πρῶτον proton "first" and ζῷα zoia "animals" are unicellular Eukaryotes (singular Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic Microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1500 Species currently described The gut flora are the Microorganisms that normally live in the Digestive tract and can perform a number of useful functions for their hosts [24] The bolus is periodically regurgitated back to the mouth as cud for additional chewing and salivation. CUD is an acronym sometimes used to describe the genetic disorder Primary carnitine deficiency. For the band see Saliva (band; for the village in Azerbaijan see Səliva. [24] Cud chewing is an adaptation allowing ruminants to graze more quickly in the morning, and then fully chew and digest feed later in the day. An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and [25] This is beneficial as grazing, which requires lowering the head, leaves sheep vulnerable to predators, while cud chewing does not. [12]
During fermentation, the rumen produces gas that must be expelled; disturbances of the organ, such as sudden changes in a sheep's diet, can cause potentially fatal conditions such as bloat. Bloat is a medical condition in which the Stomach becomes overstretched by excessive Gas content After fermentation in the rumen, feed passes in to the reticulum and the omasum; special feeds such as grains may bypass the rumen altogether. This article is about an anatomical part The reticulum is the second chamber in the Alimentary canal of a Ruminant animal The omasum, also known as the bible, the fardel Following the first three chambers, food moves in to the abomasum for final digestion before processing by the intestines. The abomasum, also known as the maw, and the rennet-bag In Anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the Stomach to the Anus and in humans and other mammals consists The abomasum is the only one of the three chambers analogous to the human stomach (being the only one that absorbs nutrients for use as energy), and is sometimes called the "true stomach". [26]
Sheep follow a diurnal pattern of activity, feeding from dawn to dusk, stopping sporadically to rest and chew their cud. In Animal behavior, diurnality indicates an Animal that is active during the Daytime and rests during the Night. CUD is an acronym sometimes used to describe the genetic disorder Primary carnitine deficiency. Ideal pasture for sheep is not lawn-like grass, but an array of grasses, legumes and forbs. Grass is the common word that generally describes Monocotyledonous green Plants The family Gramineae ( Poaceae) are the "true grasses" and include A legume is a Plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae or a Fruit of these specific plants Forbs are Herbaceous Flowering plants that are not Graminoids ( grasses, sedges and rushes) [27] Types of land where sheep are raised vary widely, from pastures that are seeded and improved intentionally to rough, native lands. Common plants toxic to sheep are present in most of the world, and include (but are not limited to) oak and acorns, tomato, yew, rhubarb, potato, and rhododendron. Taxus is a Genus of yews small coniferous Trees or Shrubs in the yew family Taxaceae. Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose" and dendron, "tree" is a genus of flowering plants in the family [28]
Sheep are largely grazing herbivores, unlike browsing animals such as goats and deer that prefer taller foliage. Grazing generally describes a type of Predation in which an Herbivore feeds on Plants (such as Grasses, or more broadly on a multicellular With a much narrower face, sheep crop plants very close to the ground and can overgraze a pasture much faster than cattle. Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to Livestock Grazing for extended periods of time or without sufficient recovery periods [12] For this reason, many shepherds use managed grazing, where a flock is rotated through multiple pastures, giving plants time to recover. [12][15] Paradoxically, sheep can both cause and solve the spread of invasive plant species. Introduced species|Weed Invasive species is a phrase with several definitions By disturbing the natural state of pasture, sheep and other livestock can pave the way for invasive plants. However, sheep also prefer to eat invasives such as cheatgrass, leafy spurge, kudzu and spotted knapweed over native species such as sagebrush, making grazing sheep an effective way of restoring native pastures. Drooping brome ( Bromus tectorum) is a grass native to Europe, southwestern Asia and northern Africa. Euphorbia esula aka The Green Spurge ( Leafy Spurge) is a species of spurge native to central and southern Europe (north to England Pueraria lobata (syn P montana P thunbergiana) (sometimes known as foot a night vine, mile a minute vine, Gat Gun, Ge Gan and Centaurea maculosa, the Spotted Knapweed is a species of Centaurea native to eastern Europe. [29]
Other than forage, the other staple feed for sheep is hay, often during the winter months. Hay is a generic term for grass or Legumes that have been cut dried and stored for use as animal feed, particularly for grazing animals like The ability to thrive solely on pasture (even without hay) varies with breed, but all sheep can survive on this diet. [19] Also included in most sheep's diets are minerals, either in a trace mix or in licks. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific A salt lick is a Salt deposit that animals regularly lick In an ecosystem salt/mineral licks sometimes occur naturally providing the Sodium, Calcium
Naturally, a constant source of potable water is also a fundamental requirement for sheep. Water of sufficient quality to serve as drinking water is termed potable water whether it is used for drinking or not The amount of water needed by sheep fluctuates with the season and the type and quality of the food they consume. [30] When sheep feed on large amounts of new growth and there is precipitation (including dew, as sheep are dawn feeders), sheep need less water. In Meteorology, precipitation (also known as one class of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric Formation Water will condense into droplets depending on the temperature When sheep are confined or are eating large amounts of cured hay, more water is typically needed. Hay is a generic term for grass or Legumes that have been cut dried and stored for use as animal feed, particularly for grazing animals like Sheep also require clean water, and may refuse to drink water that is covered in scum or algae. Algae ( sing. alga are a large and diverse group of simple typically Autotrophic organisms ranging from Unicellular to Multicellular forms [30]
Sheep are one of the few livestock animals raised for meat today that have never been widely kept in an intensive, confined animal feeding operation. Intensive farming or intensive agriculture is an Agricultural production system characterized by the high Inputs of Capital, Fertilizers Factory farming is the practice of raising Farm animals in confinement at high stocking density where a farm operates as a Factory &mdash a practice typical in [8] Although there is a growing movement advocating alternative farming styles, a large percentage of beef cattle, pigs, and poultry are still produced under such conditions. Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times Poultry is the category of Domesticated Birds which some humans keep for the purpose of collecting their eggs, or kill for their Meat and/or [9] In contrast, only a few specific categories of sheep are regularly given high-concentration grain feed, much less kept in confinement. Where there is not enough pasture available or the pasture is not rich enough, sheep producers may fatten market lambs before slaughter (called "finishing"), sometimes in feedlots. A feedlot or feedyard is a type of Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO (also known as " Factory farming " which is used for finishing livestock [12] Many sheep breeders flush ewes and rams with grain during breeding to increase fertility. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population [31] Ewes are also flushed during pregnancy to increase birth weights, as 70% of a lamb's growth occurs in the last five to six weeks of gestation. [8] Otherwise, only lactating ewes and especially old or infirm sheep are commonly provided with grain. [8][19] Feed provided to sheep must be specially formulated, as most cattle, poultry, pig, and even some goat feeds contain levels of copper that are lethal to sheep. Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 [8] The same danger applies to mineral supplements such as salt licks. A salt lick is a Salt deposit that animals regularly lick In an ecosystem salt/mineral licks sometimes occur naturally providing the Sodium, Calcium [32]
Behavior and intelligence
Sheep are prey animals with a strong gregarious instinct, and a majority of sheep behaviors can be defined in these terms. The dominance hierarchy of Ovis aries and its natural inclination to follow a leader to new pastures were the pivotal factors in it being one of the first domesticated livestock species. A dominance hierarchy (in humans Social hierarchy) is the organization of individuals in a group that occurs when competition of resources lead to aggression [33] All sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of a flock, although this behavior varies with breed. [13] Farmers exploit this behavior to keep sheep together on unfenced pastures and to move them more easily. Shepherds may also use sheepdogs in this effort, whose highly bred herding ability can assist in moving flocks. A sheepdog is a type of domestic Dog whose original purpose was to herd or guard Sheep. Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group ( Herd) maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place&mdashor any combination of Sheep are also extremely food-oriented, and association of humans with regular feeding often results in sheep soliciting people for food. [34] Those who are moving sheep may exploit this behavior by leading sheep with buckets of feed, rather than forcing their movements with herding. [35][36]
In regions where sheep have no natural predators, none of the native breeds of sheep exhibit a strong flocking behavior. [12] Sheep can also become hefted to one particular local pasture (heft) so they do not roam freely in unfenced landscapes. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon Ewes teach the heft to their lambs, and if whole flocks are culled it must be retaught to the replacement animals. [37][9]
Flock dynamics in sheep are as a rule only exhibited in a group of four or more sheep. Fewer sheep may not react as normally expected when alone or with few other sheep. [8] For sheep, the primary defense mechanism is simply to flee from danger when their flight zone is crossed. The flight zone of an animal is the area surrounding the animal that will cause alarm and Escape behavior when encroached upon Secondly, cornered sheep may charge or threaten to do so through hoof stamping and aggressive posture. This is particularly true for ewes with newborn lambs. [8]
In displaying flocking, sheep have a strong lead-follow tendency, and a leader often as not is simply the first sheep to move. However, sheep do establish a pecking order through physical displays of dominance. Pecking Order is a Card game, where players try to claim the best feeding spots in the jungle by playing their birds on the perches and determining who's stronger Dominant animals are inclined to be more aggressive with other sheep, and usually feed first at troughs. [38] Primarily among rams, horn size is a factor in the flock hierarchy. [39] Rams with different size horns may be less inclined to fight to establish pecking order, while rams with similarly sized horns are more so. [39]
Sheep become highly stressed when separated from their flock members. [9] Sheep can recognize individual human and ovine faces, and remember them for years. [40][41] Relationships in flocks tend to be closest among related sheep: in mixed-breed flocks same-breed subgroups tend to form, and a ewe and her direct descendants often move as a unit within large flocks. [8]
Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely stupid animals. [42] A sheep's herd mentality and quickness to flee and panic in the face of stress often make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the uninitiated. Herd mentality describes how people are influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors follow trends and/or purchase items Despite these perceptions, a University of Illinois monograph on sheep found them to be just below pigs and on par with cattle in IQ,[8] and some sheep have shown problem-solving abilities; a flock in Yorkshire, England found a way to get over cattle grids by rolling on their backs as well as hurdling 5ft (1. The University of Illinois is a system of public Universities in Illinois consisting of three campuses Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and A monograph ( Classical Greek, "One Writer" or "Single Writing") is a work of writing upon a single subject usually also by a single An Intelligence Quotient or IQ is a score derived from one of several different Standardized tests attempting to measure Intelligence. Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A cattle grid or cattle guard – also known as a vehicle pass or in New Zealand, a cattle stop – is a type of obstacle used to 5m) fences and squeezing through 8in (20cm) gaps. [43] In addition to long-term facial recognition of individuals, sheep can also differentiate emotional states through facial characteristics. [40][41] If worked with patiently, sheep may learn their names, and many sheep are trained to be led by halter for showing and other purposes. A halter, headcollar, or less often headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up an animal it fits behind the ears (behind the poll) and [8] Sheep have also responded well to clicker training. Clicker training is the process of training an animal using a conditioned reinforcer, which indicates to the animal ("marks" the precise Behavior [8] Very rarely, sheep are used as pack animals. Tibetan nomads distribute baggage equally throughout a flock as it is herded between living sites. The Tibetan people are indigenous to Tibet and surrounding areas stretching from Central Asia in the North and West to Myanmar and China Proper [8]
Reproduction
Sheep follow a similar reproductive strategy to other herd animals. As with other Mammals Domestic sheep reproduction occurs sexually. Reproduction is the Biological process by which new individual Organisms are produced A flock of ewes is generally mated by a single ram, who has either been chosen by a farmer or has established dominance through physical contest with other rams (in feral populations). A feral organism is one that has escaped from Domestication and returned partly or wholly to its wild state [19] Most sheep are seasonal breeders, although some are able to breed year-round. [19] Ewes generally reach sexual maturity at six to eight months of age, and rams generally at four to six months. [19] Ewes have estrus cycles about every 17 days,[44] during which they emit a scent and indicate readiness through physical displays towards rams. Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin A minority of sheep display a preference for homosexuality (8% on average)[45] or are freemartins (female animals that are behaviorally masculine and lack functioning ovaries). Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. A freemartin or free-martin (sometimes martin heifer) is a female bovine or Ovine with a masculinized behavior and non-functioning "Ovaria" redirects here This is also a proposed section and a Synonym of Solanum. [46]
Without human intervention, rams fight during the rut to determine which individuals may mate with ewes. The Rut is the period of time when antlered Ungulates mate Ungulates include Deer, Sheep, Elk, Moose, Caribou, Rams, especially unfamiliar ones, will also fight outside the breeding period to establish dominance; rams can kill one another if allowed to mix freely. [19] During the rut, even normally friendly rams may become aggressive towards humans due to increases in their hormone levels. [9]
After mating, sheep have a gestation period of about five months,[47] and normal labor may take one to three hours. Gestation is the carrying of an Embryo or Fetus inside a Female Viviparous Animal. [48] Although some breeds may regularly throw larger litters of lambs, most produce single or twin lambs. [9][49] During or soon after labor, ewes and lambs may be confined to small lambing jugs,[50] small pens designed to aid both careful observation of ewes and to cement the bond between them and their lambs. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon [19][15]
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Ovine obstetrics can be problematic. Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by" is the surgical speciality dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during Pregnancy By selectively breeding ewes that produce multiple offspring with higher birth weights for generations, sheep producers have inadvertently caused some domestic sheep to have difficulty lambing; balancing ease of lambing with high productivity is one of the dilemmas of sheep breeding. [51] In the case of any such problems, those present at lambing may assist the ewe by extracting or repositioning lambs. [19] After the birth, ewes ideally break the amniotic sac (if it is not broken during labor), and begin licking clean the lamb. The amniotic sac is the sac in which the Fetus develops Some sources consider it to be equivalent to the Amnion. [19] Most lambs will begin standing within an hour of birth. [19] In normal situations, lambs nurse after standing, receiving vital colostrum milk. Beestings redirects here or you may have wanted Bee sting or beasting. Lambs that either fail to nurse or that are rejected by the ewe require aid to live, such as bottle-feeding or grafting on to another ewe. [52]
After lambs are stabilized, lamb marking—the process of ear tagging, docking, and castrating—is carried out. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon Docking is used as a term for the intentional removal of part of an animal's Tail or Ears The term Castration (also referred to as Gelding, Neutering, Fixing, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy is any action surgical, chemical [19] Vaccinations are usually carried out at this point as well. Ear tags with numbers are attached for ease of later identification of sheep. Castration is performed on ram lambs not intended for breeding, although some shepherds choose to avoid the procedure for ethical, economic or practical reasons. [19] Ram lambs that will either be slaughtered or separated from ewes before sexual maturity are not usually castrated. [15] Docking, which is the shortening of a lamb's tail, is practiced for health reasons. [53] Objections to all these procedures have been raised by animal rights groups, but farmers defend them by saying they solve many practical and veterinary problems, and inflict only temporary pain. [9][19]
Health
Sheep may fall victim to poisons, infectious diseases, and physical injuries. As a prey species, a sheep's system is adapted to hide the obvious signs of illness, to prevent being targeted by predators. [9] However, there are some obvious signs of ill health, with sick sheep eating little, vocalizing excessively, and being generally listless. [54] Throughout history, much of the money and labor of sheep husbandry has aimed to prevent sheep ailments. Historically, shepherds often created remedies by experimentation on the farm. In countries including the United States, sheep lack the economic importance for drugs companies to perform expensive clinical trials to approve drugs for use with sheep. [55] In such instances, shepherds resort to extra-label usage of drugs approved for other animals. [9] In the 20th and 21st centuries, a minority of sheep owners have turned to alternative treatments such as homeopathy, herbalism and even traditional Chinese medicine to treat sheep veterinary problems. This article has been the subject of edit wars and has been placed on probation Herbalism is a traditional Medicinal or Folk medicine practice based on the use of Plants and Plant extracts Herbalism is also known as Traditional Chinese medicine (also known as TCM,) includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China. [9][8] Despite some favorable anecdotal evidence, the effectiveness of alternative veterinary medicine has been met with skepticism in scientific journals. The expression anecdotal evidence has two quite distinct meanings For a broader class of publications which include scientific journals see Academic journal. [9][8][56] The need for traditional anti-parasite drugs and antibiotics is widespread, and is the main impediment to certified organic farming with sheep. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on Crop rotation, Green manure, Compost, Biological pest control, and mechanical Cultivation [19]
Many breeders take a variety of preventative measures to ward off problems. Generally speaking preventive medicine is the part of Medicine engaged with preventing Disease rather than curing it The first is to ensure that all sheep are healthy when purchased. Many buyers avoid outlets known to be clearing houses for animals culled from healthy flocks as either sick or simply inferior. [9] This can also mean maintaining a closed flock, and quarantining new sheep for a month. For other uses see Quarantine (disambiguation Quarantine is voluntary or compulsory isolation typically to contain the spread of something Two fundamental preventative programs are maintaining good nutrition and reducing stress in the sheep. Handling sheep in loud, erratic ways causes them to produce cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol is a Corticosteroid Hormone produced by the Adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata of the Adrenal cortex) Stress hormones such as Cortisol and Norepinephrine are released at periods of high stress This can lead to a weakened immune system, thus making sheep far more vulnerable to disease. An immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an Organism that protects against Disease by identifying and killing Pathogens and Tumor [8] Signs of stress in sheep include: excessive panting, teeth grinding, restless movement, wool eating, and wood chewing. Thermoregulation is the ability of an Organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries even when temperature surrounding is very different Bruxism (from the Greek βρυγμός (brugmós gnashing of teeth) is the grinding of the teeth and is typically accompanied by the clenching [8] Avoiding poisoning is also important, common poisons are pesticide sprays, inorganic fertilizer, motor oil, as well as radiator coolant (the ethylene glycol antifreeze is sweet-tasting). A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used to kill a pest. Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant Motor oil, or engine oil, is an Oil used for lubrication of various Internal combustion engines While the main function is to lubricate Moving A coolant is a fluid which flows through a device in order to prevent its overheating transferring the heat produced by the device to other devices that utilize or dissipate it Ethylene glycol ( monoethylene glycol ( MEG) 12-ethanediol, IUPAC name: ethane-12-diol) is an Alcohol with two -OH Antifreeze is a Cryoprotectant used in Internal combustion engines and for many other heat transfer applications such as electronics cooling and Chillers [57]
A common form of preventative medication for sheep are vaccinations and treatments for parasites. Vaccination is the administration of Antigenic material (the Vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between Organisms of different Species. Both external and internal parasites are the most prevalent malady in sheep, and are either fatal, or reduce the productivity of flocks. [9] Worms are the most common internal parasites. A worm is a common name given to a diverse group of invertebrate animals that have a long soft body and no legs They are ingested during grazing, incubate within the sheep, and are expelled through the digestive system (beginning the cycle again). Oral anti-parasitic medicines known as drenches are given to a flock to treat worms, sometimes after worm eggs in the feces has been counted to assess infestation levels. Drench® is a brand of bottled Spring water owned by Britvic. Afterwards, sheep may be moved to a new pasture to avoid ingesting the same parasites. [15] External sheep parasites include: lice (for different parts of the body), sheep keds, nose bots, sheep itch mite, and maggots. Hippoboscidae, the louse flies or keds are obligate Parasites of Mammals and Birds. Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis (also called nose bot) is a species of the Genus Gasterophilus that lays eggs on and Maggot is the common name of the Larval phase of development in insects of the order Diptera (flies Keds are blood-sucking parasites that cause general malnutrition and decreased productivity, but are not fatal. Maggots are those of the bot fly and the blow-fly. Oestridae (also called botfly or "bumfly" bot fly) is a family of Oestroidea. Fly maggots cause the extremely destructive condition of flystrike. Myiasis (ˈmaɪəsɨs or /maɪˈaɪəsɨs/ is an animal or human disease caused by parasitic dipterous fly larvae feeding on the host 's Necrotic Flies lay their eggs in wounds or wet, manure-soiled wool, when the maggots hatch they burrow into a sheep's flesh, eventually causing death if untreated. In addition to other treatments, crutching (shearing wool from a sheep's rump) is a common preventative method. Crutching refers to the removal of Wool from around the tail and between the rear legs of a Sheep. Nose bots are flies that inhabit a sheep's sinuses, causing breathing difficulties and discomfort. Paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces communicating with the nasal cavity within the bones of the Skull and face Common signs are a discharge from the nasal passage, sneezing, and frantic movement such as head shaking. External parasites may be controlled through the use of backliners, sprays or immersive sheep dips. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon The term sheep dip refers to a liquid formulation of Insecticide and Fungicide which Shepherds and Farmers may use to protect their Sheep [9]
A wide array of bacterial diseases affect sheep. Diseases of the hoof, such as foot rot and foot scald may occur, and are treated with footbaths and other remedies. Foot rot, or infectious Pododermatitis, is a Hoof Infection that is commonly found in Sheep, Goat, and Cattle. These painful conditions cause lameness and hinder feeding. Ovine Johne's disease is a wasting disease that affects young sheep. Johne's disease (pronounced "yo-knees" is a contagious chronic and sometimes fatal Infection that affects primarily the Small intestine of Ruminants Blue tongue disease is an insect-borne illness causing fever and inflammation of the mucous membranes. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in
A few sheep conditions are transmittable to humans. Soremouth (also known as scabby mouth, contagious ecthyma or orf) is a skin disease leaving lesions that is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. More seriously, the organisms that can cause spontaneous enzootic abortion in sheep are easily transmitted to pregnant women. An Also of concern are the prion disease scrapie and the virus that causes foot and mouth disease, as both can decimate entire flocks. A prion (ˈpriːɒn is thought to be an infectious agent that according to current scientific consensus is comprised entirely of a propagated, mis-folded Scrapie is a fatal degenerative Disease that affects the Nervous systems of Sheep and Goats It is one of several Transmissible spongiform A virus (from the Latin virus meaning Toxin or Poison) is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable Foot-and-mouth disease ( FMD) or hoof-and-mouth disease ( Aphtae epizooticae) is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral The latter poses a slight risk to humans. During the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease, hundreds of sheep in the UK were culled, and some rare British breeds were at risk for extinction from the pandemic. [9]
Predation
Other than parasites and disease, predation is a threat to sheep and the profitability of sheep raising. Other than parasites and disease Predation is a threat to Sheep health and thereby the profitability of sheep raising Sheep have little ability to defend themselves, compared with other species kept as livestock. Even if sheep survive an attack, they may die from their injuries, or simply from panic. [9] However, the impact of predation varies dramatically with region. In Africa, Australia, the Americas, and parts of Europe and Asia predators are a serious problem. In the United States, for instance, over 1/3 of sheep deaths in 2004 were caused by predation. [58] In contrast, other nations are virtually devoid of sheep predators, particularly islands known for extensive sheep husbandry. [9] Worldwide, canids—including the domestic dog—are responsible for most sheep deaths. The Canidae (ˈkænədiː ′kanə′dē family is a part of the order Carnivora within the Mammals (Class Mammalia [59][60][61] Other animals that occasionally prey on sheep include: felines, bears, birds of prey, ravens and feral hogs. Razorbacks, also referred to as an Old World swine, Eurasian wild Boar, or Russian wild boar, are Feral Pigs that were brought [62][58] Sheep deaths have even been attributed to cryptids such as the Chupacabra, big cats in Britain and the Drekavac. Cryptid is a term used in the study of Cryptozoology to refer to a creature whose existence has been suggested but not demonstrated scientifically Chupacabra (also Chupacabras /tʃupa'kabɾas/ from Spanish chupar to suck, cabra goat goat sucker) is a Legendary British big cats, also known as ABCs (Alien Big Cats or Anomalous Big Cats phantom cats and mystery cats, are Felidae not native to Britain Drekavac (/drɛkaʋaʦ/ (literally "the yeller" also called drek and drekalo is a Mythical creature in south Slavic mythology. [63]
Sheep producers have used a wide variety of measures to combat predation. Pre-modern shepherds used their own presence, livestock guardian dogs, and protective structures such as barns and fencing. A livestock guardian dog ( LGD) is a domesticated canine used to defend Livestock against Predators LGDs are also commonly referred to as Fencing (both regular and electric), penning sheep at night and lambing indoors all continue to be widely used. An electric fence is a barrier that uses Electric shocks to deter animals or people from crossing a boundary [19] More modern shepherds used guns, traps, and poisons to kill predators,[65] causing significant decreases in predator populations. The activity of animal trapping has two separate but related meanings In the wake of the environmental and conservation movements, the use of these methods now usually falls under the purview of specially designated government agencies, rather than sheep producers. [66]
The 1970s saw a resurgence in the use of livestock guardian dogs and the development of new methods of predator control by sheep producers, many of them non-lethal. [15] Donkeys and guard llamas have been used since the 1980s in sheep operations, using the same basic principle as livestock guardian dogs. A guard llama is a Llama used in farming to protect sheep alpacas goats or other Livestock from Coyotes, Dogs and other predators [9] Interspecific pasturing, usually with larger livestock such as cattle or horses, may help to deter predators, even if such species do not actively guard sheep. [19] In addition to animal guardians, contemporary sheep operations may use non-lethal predator deterrents such as motion-activated lights and noisy alarms. [9]
History
Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated by mankind; sources provide a domestication date between nine and eleven thousand years ago in Mesopotamia. Agriculture was developed at least 10000 years ago and it has undergone significant developments since the time of the earliest cultivation Rhyton (plural rhyta) is the ancient Greek word (ῥυτόν rutón) for a container from which fluids were intended to be drunk or else poured in some Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding [67][8][5][9] The species has several characteristics—such as a relative lack of aggression, a manageable size, early sexual maturity, a social nature, and high reproduction rates—that made it particularly amenable to taming. [33] Today, Ovis aries is an entirely domesticated animal that is largely dependent on man for its health and survival. [68] Small feral populations of sheep exist, but exclusively in areas devoid of predators (usually islands). [33] No feral sheep population has ever reached the scale of feral horses, goats, pigs, or dogs. Feral horses are free-roaming untamed horses descended from domesticated Horses. Razorbacks, also referred to as an Old World swine, Eurasian wild Boar, or Russian wild boar, are Feral Pigs that were brought The term pariah dog is used to refer to feral dogs of a particular type, a subspecies of dog, and a purebred dog category or group [33]
The exact line of descent between domestic sheep to their wild ancestors is presently unclear. [69] The most common hypothesis states that Ovis aries is jointly descended from the European (O. musimon) and Asiatic (O. orientalis) species of mouflon. It has also been proposed that the European mouflon is an ancient breed of domestic sheep turned feral rather than an ancestor. A feral organism is one that has escaped from Domestication and returned partly or wholly to its wild state [5] A few breeds of sheep, such as the Castlemilk Moorit from Scotland, were formed through crossbreeding with wild European mouflon. The Castlemilk Moorit is a unique extremely rare breed of Domestic sheep originating in Dumfriesshire. The urial (O. The Urial ( Ovis orientalis vignei group is a subpecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. vignei) was once thought to have been a forebear of domestic sheep, as they occasionally interbreed with mouflon in the Iranian part of their range. [5] However, the urial, argali (O. The argali, or the mountain sheep (species Ovis ammon) is the globally endangered wild sheep, which roams the highlands of Central Asia ammon), and snow sheep (O. The snow sheep ( Ovis nivicola) is a Species of Sheep, which comes from the mountainous areas in the northeast of Siberia. nivicola) have a different number of chromosomes than other Ovis species, making a direct relationship implausible, and phylogenetic studies show no evidence of urial ancestry. A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and Protein that is found in cells. [69] Further studies comparing European and Asian breeds of sheep showed significant genetic differences between the two. Two explanations for this phenomenon have been posited. The first is that there is a currently unknown species or subspecies of wild sheep that contributed to the formation of domestic sheep. [70] A second hypothesis suggests that this variation is the result of multiple waves of capture from wild mouflon, similar to the known development of other livestock. [71]
Initially, sheep were kept solely for meat, milk and skins. Archaeological evidence from statuary found at sites in Iran suggests that selection for woolly sheep may have began around 6000 BC,[5][8] but the earliest woven wool garments have only been dated to two to three thousand years later. A statue is a Sculpture in the round representing a person or persons an animal or an event normally full-length as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size [72] By that span of the Bronze Age, sheep with all the major features of modern breeds were widespread throughout Western Asia. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia (largely overlapping with the Middle East) is the southwestern portion of Asia. [5] However, one chief difference between ancient sheep and modern breeds is the technique by which wool could be collected. Primitive sheep cannot be shorn, and must have their wool plucked out by hand in a process called "rooing". The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon This is because fibers called kemps are still longer than the soft fleece. Kemp is generally a chalky-white Brittle, weak fibre which may be mixed with normal fibers in a sheep's Wool Fleece. The fleece may also be collected from the field after it falls out. This trait survives today in unrefined breeds such as the Soay. Soay sheep are a primitive breed of Domestic sheep ( Ovis aries) descended from a population of Feral sheep on the 250-acre island of Soay in Indeed, the Soay, along with other Northern European breeds with short tails, unshearable fleece, diminutive size, and horns in both sexes, are closely related to ancient sheep. Originally, weaving and spinning wool was a handicraft practiced at home, rather than an industry. Babylonians, Sumerians, and Persians all depended on sheep; and although linen was the first fabric to be fashioned in to clothing, wool was a prized product. Babylonia was an Amorite state in lower Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq) with Babylon as its capital The history of Sumer, taken to include the prehistoric Ubaid and Uruk periods spans the 5th to 3rd millennia BC ending with the downfall of the Third layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox Linen is a Textile made from the Fibers of the Flax plant Linum usitatissimum. The raising of flocks for their fleece was one of the earliest industries, and flocks were a medium of exchange in barter economies. Barter is a type of Trade in which goods or services are directly exchanged Numerous Biblical figures kept large flocks, and subjects of the king of Israel were taxed according to the number of rams they owned. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin [5]
In Africa
Sheep entered the African continent not long after their domestication in Western Asia. The fat-tailed sheep is a category of Domestic sheep that comprise approximately 25% of the world Sheep population (Davidson 1999 [73] A minority of historians alternatively posit a contentious African theory of origin for Ovis aries. [73] This theory is based primarily on rock art interpretations, and osteological evidence from Barbary Sheep. Rock art is a term in Archaeology for any man-made markings made on natural stone Osteology is the scientific study of Bones. A Subdiscipline of Anthropology and Archeology, osteology is a detailed study The Barbary Sheep ( Ammotragus lervia, also called Aoudad, Arui and Waddan (in Libya) is a Species of Caprinae [73] The first sheep entered North Africa via Sinai, and were present in Ancient Egyptian society between eight and seven thousand years ago. The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai ( Coptic: sina; Egyptian Arabic: sina سينا Arabic, sina'a سيناء Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now [73] Sheep have always been part of subsistence farming in Africa, but today the only country that keeps an influential number of sheep is South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa South African sheep producers, in an attempt to deal with the numerous predators of Africa, invented the livestock protection collar, which holds poison at the jugular to sicken or kill predators. [5]
In Europe
- See also: British Agricultural Revolution
From Southwest Asia, sheep husbandry spread quickly in to Europe. The British Agricultural Revolution describes a period of development in Britain between the 18th century and the end of the 19th century which saw a massive increase in agricultural Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia (largely overlapping with the Middle East) is the southwestern portion of Asia. Practically from its inception, ancient Greek civilization relied on sheep as primary livestock, and were even said to name individual animals. The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca [8] Scandinavian sheep of a type seen today—with short tails and multi-colored fleece—were also present early on. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well Later, the Roman Empire kept sheep on a wide scale, and the Romans were an important agent in the spread of sheep raising throughout the continent. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History (Naturalis Historia), speaks at length about sheep and wool. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. [74] Declaring "Many thanks, too, do we owe to the sheep, both for appeasing the gods, and for giving us the use of its fleece. ", he goes on to detail the breeds of ancient sheep and the many colors, lengths and qualities of wool. [74] Romans also pioneered the practice of blanketing sheep, in which a fitted coat (today usually of nylon) is placed over the sheep to improve the cleanliness and luster of its wool. Overview Nylon is a Thermoplastic silky material first used commercially in a nylon- Bristled Toothbrush (1938 followed more famously by [5]
During the Roman occupation of the British Isles, a large wool processing factory was established in Winchester, England in about 50 AD. Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre [8] By 1000 AD, England and Spain were recognized as the epicenters of sheep production in the Western world. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. [8][5] As the original breeders of the fine-wooled merino sheep that have historically dominated the wool trade, the Spanish gained great wealth. Wool money largely financed Spanish rulers and thus the voyages to the New World by conquistadors. This article is about the Spanish explorer soldiers of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuriesfor other uses see Conquistador (disambiguation A Conquistador [8] The powerful Mesta (its full title was Honrado Concejo de la Mesta, the Honorable Council of the Mesta) was a corporation of sheep owners mostly drawn from Spain's wealthy merchants, Catholic clergy and nobility that controlled the merino flocks. The Mesta (Spanish Honrado Concejo de la Mesta, Honored Council of the Mesta was a powerful association of Sheep holders in the medieval Kingdom of A corporation is a separate legal entity usually used to conduct business Merchants function as professionals who deal with Trade, dealing in commodities that they do not produce themselves in order to produce Profit. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime [75] By the 17th century, the Mesta held in upwards of two million head of merino sheep. [75]
Mesta flocks followed a seasonal pattern of transhumance across Spain. The Aberdeen Bestiary ( Aberdeen University Library MS 24 is a 12th century English Illuminated manuscript Bestiary that was first listed Transhumance is a term with two accepted usages Older sources use transhumance for vertical seasonal Livestock movement typically to higher In the spring, they left the winter pastures (invernaderos) in Extremadura and Andalusia to graze on their summer pastures (agostaderos) in Castile, returning back again in the autumn. Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area A former kingdom, Castile (Castilla kasˈt̪iʎa or) gradually merged with its neighbors to become the Crown of Castile and later the Kingdom of Spain [75] Spanish rulers eager to increase wool profits gave extensive legal rights to the Mesta, often to the detriment of local peasantry. A peasant is an agricultural worker who subsists by working a small plot of ground [75] The huge merino flocks had a lawful right of way for their migratory routes (cañadas). Towns and villages were obliged by law to let the flocks graze on their common land, and the Mesta had its own sheriffs that could summon offending individuals to its own tribunals. SHERIFF is a telecom fraud detection and management system originally developed by BT and MCI. Tribunal is a generic term for any body acting judicially whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title [75] Exportation of merinos without royal permission was also a punishable offense, thus ensuring a near-absolute monopoly on the breed until Napoleon's invasion of Spain in the mid-18th century. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. After the breaking of the export ban, fine wool sheep began to be distributed worldwide. The export to Rambouillet by Louis XVI in 1786 formed the basis for the modern Rambouillet (or French Merino) breed. Rambouillet is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. Louis XVI ( 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793) Louis-Auguste de France, ruled as King of France and Navarre The Rambouillet is also known as the Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino [76] After the Napoleonic Wars and the global distribution of the once-exclusive Spanish stocks of Merinos, sheep raising in Spain reverted to hardy coarse-wooled breeds such as the Churra, and was no longer of international economic significance. The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions An ancient Iberian breed of Sheep, the Churra (renamed Churro by American frontiersmen was first imported to North America in the 16th century and used to feed Spanish
The sheep industry in Spain was an instance of migratory flock management, with large homogenous flocks ranging over the entire nation. Comparatively, the ovine model used in England was quite different but had a similar importance to economy of the British Empire. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. Up until the early 20th century, owling (the smuggling of sheep or wool out of the country) was a punishable offense, and to this day the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords sits on a cushion known as the Woolsack. Owling was a common term for the smuggling of Sheep or Wool from England to another country particularly France. The Lord Speaker is the speaker of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords" The Woolsack is the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords, the Upper House of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The high concentration and more sedentary nature of shepherding in the UK allowed sheep especially adapted to their particular purpose and region to be raised, thereby giving rise to an exceptional variety of breeds in relation to the land mass of the country. [5] This greater variety of breeds also produced a valuable variety of products to compete with the superfine wool of Spanish sheep. By the time of Elizabeth I's rule, sheep and wool trade was the primary source of tax revenue to the Crown of England and the country was a major influence in the development and spread of sheep husbandry. [5][77]
An important event not only in the history of domestic sheep, but of all livestock, was the work of Robert Bakewell in the 1700s. Robert Bakewell (1725 - 1795 was a revolutionary in the field of Selective breeding. Before his time, breeding for desirable traits was often based on chance, with no scientific process for selection of breeding stock. Bakewell established the principles of selective breeding—especially line breeding—in his work with sheep, horses and cattle; his work later influenced Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin. This article focuses on selective breeding in domesticated animals Gregor Johann Mendel ( July 20, 1822 &ndash January 6, 1884) was Charles Robert Darwin (February 12 1809 &ndash April 19 1882 was an English naturalist, who realised and demonstrated that all Species of life [8][78] His most important contribution to sheep was the development of the Leicester Longwool, a quick-maturing breed of blocky conformation that formed the basis for many vital modern breeds. [9] Today, the sheep industry in the UK has diminished significantly. [79]
In the Americas
No ovine species native to the Americas has ever been domesticated, despite being closer genetically to domestic sheep than many Asian and European species. The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America The first domestic sheep in North America—most likely of the Churra breed—arrived with Christopher Columbus' second voyage in 1493. An ancient Iberian breed of Sheep, the Churra (renamed Churro by American frontiersmen was first imported to North America in the 16th century and used to feed Spanish Christopher Columbus (1451–1506 was a Navigator and an Admiral for the Crown of Castile whose voyages to America greatly expanded [5][8] The next transatlantic shipment to arrive was with Hernán Cortés in 1519, landing in Mexico. The term transatlantic refers to something occurring all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro 1st Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca ( 1485&ndash December 2, The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. [5] No export of wool or animals is known to have occurred from these populations, but flocks did disseminate throughout what is now Mexico and the Southwest United States with Spanish colonists. [8] Churras were also introduced to the Navajo tribe of Native Americans, and became a key part of their livelihood and culture. Navajo (sometimes spelled Navaho) or Diné, (means The People in Navajo) refers or relates to the Navajo people, currently For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. The modern presence of the Navajo-Churro breed is a result of this heritage. Navajo-Churro sheep are a Breed of Domestic sheep originating with Churra sheep obtained by the Navajo Native American tribe [19]
North America
The next transport of sheep to North America was not until 1607, with the voyage of the HMS Susan Conant to Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state [5] However, the sheep that arrived in that year were all slaughtered because of a famine, and a permanent flock was not to reach the colony until two years later in 1609. [5] In two decades time, the colonists had expanded their flock to a total of 400 head. By the 1640s there were about 100,000 head of sheep in the 13 colonies, and in 1662, a woolen mill was built in Watertown, Massachusetts. The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. [5][8] Especially during the periods of political unrest and civil war in Britain spanning the 1640s and 50s which disrupted maritime trade, the colonists found it pressing to produce wool for clothing. [80] Many islands off the coast were cleared of predators and set aside for sheep: Nantucket, Long Island, Martha's Vineyard and small islands in Boston Harbor were notable examples. Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches Martha's Vineyard (adjoining the smaller Chappaquiddick Island) is an Island off the US east coast to the south of Cape Cod, both The Port of Boston is a major Seaport located in Boston Harbor and adjacent to the City of Boston. [80] There remain some rare breeds of American sheep—such as the Hog Island sheep—that were the result of island flocks. The Hog Island sheep is a breed of Domestic sheep that developed from a Feral population of sheep on Virginia's Hog Island beginning in the 17th century Placing semi-feral sheep and goats on islands was common practice in colonization during this period. [80] Early on, the British government banned further export of sheep to the Americas, or wool from it, in an attempt to stifle any threat to the wool trade in the British Isles. One of many restrictive trade measures that precipitated the American Revolution, the sheep industry in the Northeast grew despite the bans. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" [5]
Gradually, beginning in the 1800s, sheep production in the U. Mutton busting is an event held at Rodeos similar to Bull riding or Bronc riding. S. moved westward. Today, the vast majority of flocks reside on Western range lands. During this westward migration of the industry, competition between sheep and cattle operations grew more heated, eventually erupting in to range wars. A range war (taken from the term " open range " is a type of (typically undeclared conflict that occurs in agrarian or stockrearing societies Other than simple competition for grazing and water rights, cattlemen believed that the secretions of the foot glands of sheep made cattle unwilling to graze on places where sheep had stepped. Grazing rights is a legal term referring to the right of a user to allow their Livestock to feed (graze in a given area This article discusses water usage laws in common law. For a discussion of the right to water as a human right under international law, see Right [16][12] As sheep production centered on the U. S. western ranges, it became associated with other parts of Western culture, such as the rodeo. Rodeo (ˈroʊdioʊ or /roʊˈdeɪoʊ/ is a sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States In modern America, a minor event in rodeos is mutton busting, in which children compete to see who can stay atop a sheep the longest before falling off. Mutton busting is an event held at Rodeos similar to Bull riding or Bronc riding. Another effect of the westward movement of sheep flocks in North America was the decline of wild species such as Bighorn sheep (O. Bighorn Sheep ( Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep in North America and Siberia with large horns which can weigh up to. canadesis). Most diseases of domestic sheep are transmittable to wild ovines, and such diseases, along with overgrazing and habitat loss, are named as primary factors in the plummeting numbers of wild sheep. [81] Sheep production peaked in North America during 1940s and 50s at more than 55 million head. [8] Henceforth and continuing today, the number of sheep in North America has steadily declined with wool prices and the lessening American demand for sheep meat. [9]
South America
In South America, especially in Patagonia, there is an active modern sheep industry. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Llao LLaojpg|thumb|250px| Lake Nahuel Huapi, near Bariloche, Argentina [82] Sheep keeping was largely introduced through immigration to the continent by Spanish and British peoples, for whom sheep were a major industry during the period. [83] South America has a large number of sheep, but the highest-producing nation (Brazil) kept only just over 15 million head in 2004, far fewer than most centers of sheep husbandry. [84] The primary challenges to the sheep industry in South America are the phenomenal drop in wool prices in the late 20th century and the loss of habitat through logging and overgrazing. Logging is the process in which Trees are cut down for Forest management and Timber. [85] The most influential region internationally is that of Patagonia, which has been the first to rebound from the fall in wool prices. [83][82] With few predators and almost no grazing competition (the only large native grazing mammal is the guanaco), the region is prime land for sheep raising. The guanaco ( Lama guanicoe) is a Camelid animal native to South America that stands between 107 and 122 centimeters (3 [83] The most exceptional area of production is surrounding the La Plata river in the Pampas region. The Río de la Plata ( Spanish: " Silver River" &mdash which is often referred to in English-speaking countries as the River Plate Laguna de Gomezjpg|thumb|left|240px|Lake Gomez near Junín in the heart of the Pampas grain belt [5] Sheep production in Patagonia peaked in 1952 at more than 21 million head, but has steadily fallen to fewer then ten today. [83] Most operations focus on wool production for export from Merino and Corriedale sheep; the economic sustainability of wool flocks has fallen with the drop in prices, while the cattle industry continues to grow. [83]
In Australia and New Zealand
- See also: 1891 Australian shearers' strike
Australia and New Zealand are crucial players in the contemporary sheep industry, and sheep are an iconic part of both countries' culture and economy. The Merino is the most economically influential breed of sheep in the world prized for its Wool. Agriculture in Australia is a major Industry. 402000 people are employed in Agriculture and agriculture related services and agriculture accounts for approximately The 1891 Shearers' Strike is one of Australia 's oldest and most important industrial disputes New Zealand has the highest density of sheep per capita (sheep outnumber the human population 12 to 1), and Australia is the world's indisputably largest exporter of sheep and cattle. [86] In 2007, New Zealand even declared February 15 their official National Lamb Day to celebrate the country's history of sheep production. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor [87] The First Fleet brought the initial population of 70 sheep from the Cape of Good Hope to Australia in 1788. The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 Ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787 to establish the first European colony in New South Wales. The Cape of Good Hope ( Afrikaans: Kaap die Goeie Hoop, Kaap de Goede Hoop Cabo da Boa Esperança Persian Language: دماغه امید نیک [88] The next shipment was of 30 sheep from Calcutta and Ireland in 1793. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world [88] All of the early sheep brought to Australia were exclusively used for the dietary needs of the penal colonies. The beginnings of the Australian wool industry were due to the vision and efforts of Captain John Macarthur. John Macarthur (1766 – 11 April 1834 was a soldier entrepreneur politician and pioneer of the Australian Wool industry [88] At Macarthur's urging 16 Spanish merinos were imported in 1797, effectively beginning the Australian sheep industry. [88] By 1801 Macarthur had 1,000 head of sheep, and in 1803 he exported 245 lbs (111 kg) of wool to England. [88] Today, Macarthur is generally thought of as the father of the Australian sheep industry. [88]
The growth of the sheep industry in Australia was explosive. The raising of Domestic sheep has existed in nearly every inhabited part of the globe and the variations in cultures and languages which have kept sheep has produced a vast Lexicon Walcha (pronounced "wolka" is a town and parish at the south-eastern edge of the Northern Tablelands New South Wales, Australia. In 1820, the continent held 100,000 sheep, a decade later it had one million. [89] By 1840, New South Wales alone kept 4 million sheep; flock numbers grew to 13 million in a decade. [89] While much of the growth in both nations was due to the active support of Britain in its desire for wool, both worked independently to develop new high-production breeds: the Corriedale, Coolalee, Coopworth, Perendale, Polwarth, Booroola Merino, Peppin Merino, and Poll Merino were all created in New Zealand or Australia. The Coolalee is an Australian short wool meat sheep breed developed from an eight year breeding program commenced in 1968 Coopworth breed of sheep was developed by a team of scientists at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) in Canterbury New Zealand, to increase lambing The Perendale is a breed of sheep developed in New Zealand by Massey Agricultural College (now Massey University) for use in steep hill situations Polwarth sheep were developed in Australia, they are named after a region of Victoria State The Booroola is a Merino strain that has a high rate of multiple births. The Peppin Merino is a breed of Merino Sheep raised for its Wool, mostly in Australia. The Poll Merino is a subtype of the Australian Merino breed of Domestic sheep without horns. [9] Wool production was a fitting industry for colonies far from their home nations. Before the advent of fast air and maritime shipping, wool was one of the few viable products that was not subject to spoiling on the long passage back to British ports. Shipping is physical process of Transporting goods and Cargo. Decomposition (or spoilage) refers to the break down of tissue of a formerly living Organism into simpler forms of matter [89] The abundant new land and milder winter weather of the region also aided the growth of the Australian and New Zealand sheep industries. [89]
Flocks in Australia have always been largely range bands on fenced land, and are aimed at production of superfine wool for clothing and other products as well as meat. New Zealand flocks are kept in a fashion similar to English ones, in fenced holdings without herders. Although wool was once the primary income source for New Zealand sheep owners, today it has shifted to meat production. [5][90]
Animal welfare concerns
The Australian sheep industry is the only sector of the industry to receive strident international criticism for its practices. Sheep stations in Australia are cited in Animal Liberation, the seminal book of the animal rights movement, as the author's primary evidence in his argument against retaining sheep as a part of animal agriculture. A sheep station is a large property ( station, the equivalent of a Ranch) in Australia or New Zealand whose main activity is the raising Animal Liberation is a book by Australian philosopher Peter Singer, published in 1975 For the concept see Animal rights. For other uses see Animal liberation (disambiguation. Animal husbandry, also called Animal science, stockbreeding or simple husbandry, is the agricultural practice of breeding [91] The practice of mulesing, in which skin is cut away from an animal's perineal area without anesthesia to prevent cases of flystrike, has been condemned widely as painful and unnecessary. Mulesing is the surgical removal of strips of wool-bearing wrinkle skin from around the breech of a Sheep. In Human anatomy, the perineum is generally defined as the surface region in both males and females between the Pubic symphysis and the Coccyx. Anesthesia, or anaesthesia (see spelling differences; from Greek grc αν- an-, "without" and grc αἲσθησις [92] In response, a program of phasing out mulesing is currently being implemented,[93] New Zealand has already phased out the procedure. [94]
Most of the sheep meat exported from Australia are either frozen carcasses to the UK or live animals to the Middle East. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Shipped on converted oil tankers in what has been called crowded, unsafe conditions by critics, live sheep are desired by Middle Eastern nations to meet the requirements ritual halal slaughter. Halal (حلال ḥalāl, halaal) is an Arabic term meaning permissible. [95] Opponents of the export—such as PETA—say that sheep exported to countries outside the jurisdiction of Australia's animal cruelty laws are treated with horrendous brutality and that halal facilities exist in Australia to make export of live animals redundant. Cruelty to animals refers to the infliction of unnecessary Suffering or Harm to animals [95] A few celebrities and companies have pledged to boycott all Australian sheep products in protest. A boycott is a form of Consumer activism involving the act of voluntarily abstaining from using buying or dealing with someone or some other organization as an expression of [96][92]
Economic importance
| Global Sheep stocks in 2004 | |
| (million) | |
 People's Republic of China | 157. Agricultural economics originally applied the principles of Economics to the production of Crops and Livestock — a discipline known as Agronomics Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES 9 |
 Australia | 101. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. 3 |
 India | 62. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country 5 |
 Iran | 54. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. 0 |
 Sudan | 48. Sudan (officially the Republic of Sudan) ( السودان al-Sūdān is a country in northeastern Africa. 0 |
 New Zealand | 39. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island 2 |
 United Kingdom | 35. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 8 |
 South Africa | 25. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 3 |
| World Total | 1,059,810,132 |
| Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) | |
Sheep are an important part of the global agricultural economy. However, their once-vital status has been largely replaced by other livestock species, especially the pig, chicken, and cow. [15] China, Australia, India, and Iran have the largest modern flocks, and serve both local and exportation needs for wool and mutton. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. [97] Other countries such as New Zealand have smaller flocks but retain a large international economic impact due to their export of sheep products. Sheep also play a major role in many local economies, which may be niche markets focused on organic or sustainable agriculture and local food customers. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals environmental Stewardship, Farm Profitability and prosperous Farming communities Local food (also regional food or food patriotism) or the local food movement is a "collaborative effort to build more locally based self-reliant [98][8] Especially in developing countries, such flocks may be a part of subsistence agriculture rather than a system of trade. Developing countries are countries that haven't reached Western-style standards of democratic government free market economy industrialization social programs and human rights guaranties Subsistence agriculture is self-sufficient farming in which farmers grow only enough food to feed the family and to pay taxes or feudal dues Sheep themselves may be a medium of trade in barter economies. Barter is a type of Trade in which goods or services are directly exchanged [8]
Domestic sheep provide a wide array of raw materials. Wool was one of the first textiles, although in the late 20th century wool prices began to fall dramatically as the result of the popularity and cheap prices for synthetic fabrics. Synthetic fabrics are Textiles made from Synthetic fibres They are used primarily to make clothing [8] For many shepherds, the cost of shearing is greater than the possible profit from the fleece, making subsisting on wool production alone practically impossible without farm subsidies. An agricultural subsidy is a governmental Subsidy paid to Farmers and Agribusinesses to supplement their income manage the supply of agricultural [8] Fleeces are used as material in making alternative products such as wool insulation. [99] In the 21st century, the sale of meat is the most profitable enterprise in the sheep industry, even though far less sheep meat is consumed than chicken, pork or beef. [15]
Sheepskin is likewise used for making clothes, footwear, rugs, and other products. Byproducts from the slaughter of sheep are also of value: sheep tallow can be used in candle and soap making, sheep bone and cartilage has been used to furnish carved items such as dice and buttons as well as rendered glue and gelatin. Tallow is a rendered form of Beef or Mutton Fat, processed from Suet. Cartilage is a type of dense Connective tissue. It is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix Gelatin (also gelatine, from French gélatine) is a translucent colourless brittle nearly tasteless solid substance, extracted from the [100] Sheep intestine can be formed into sausage casings, and lamb intestine has been formed into surgical sutures, as well as strings for musical instruments and tennis rackets. In Anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the Stomach to the Anus and in humans and other mammals consists [5] Sheep droppings have even been sterilized and mixed with traditional pulp materials to make paper. Wood pulp is a dry fibrous material prepared by chemically or mechanically separating the fibers which make up Wood. [101] Of all sheep byproducts, perhaps the most valuable is lanolin: the water-proof, fatty substance found naturally in sheep's wool and used as a base for innumerable cosmetics and other products. Lanolin, also called Adeps Lanae, wool wax, wool fat, anhydrous wool fat or wool grease, is a greasy yellow substance secreted by [5]
Some farmers who keep sheep also make a profit from live sheep. Providing lambs for youth programs such as 4-H and competition at agricultural shows is often a dependable avenue for the sale of sheep. 4-H in the United States is a Youth organization administered by the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES of the United States An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment animals sports and recreation associated with Agriculture and Animal husbandry. [102] Farmers may also choose to focus on a particular breed of sheep in order to sell registered purebred animals, as well as provide a ram rental service for breeding. Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal Species, achieved through the process of Selective breeding [103] A new option for deriving profit from live sheep is the rental of flocks for grazing; these "mowing services" are hired in order to keep unwanted vegetation down in public spaces and to lessen fire hazard. [104]
Despite the falling demand and price for sheep products in many markets, sheep have distinct economic advantages when compared with other livestock. They do not require the expensive housing[105] used in the intensive farming of chickens or pigs. Intensive farming or intensive agriculture is an Agricultural production system characterized by the high Inputs of Capital, Fertilizers They are an efficient use of land; roughly six sheep can be kept on the amount that would suffice for a single cow or horse. [9][106] Sheep can also consume plants, such as noxious weeds, that most other animals will not touch, and produce more young at a faster rate. [107] Also, in contrast to most livestock species, the cost of raising sheep is not necessarily tied to the price of feed crops such as grain, soybeans and corn. [108] Combined with the relatively lower cost of quality sheep, all these factors combine to equal a lower overhead for sheep producers, thus entailing a higher profitability potential for the small farmer. [108] Sheep are especially beneficial for independent producers, including family farms with limited resources, as the sheep industry is one of the few types of animal agriculture that has not been vertically integrated by agribusiness. In Microeconomics and Management, the term vertical integration describes a style of Management control. In Agriculture, agribusiness is a generic term that refers to the various Businesses involved in Food production including Farming, Seed [109]
As food
- See also: Category:Sheep's-milk cheeses
Sheep meat and milk were one of the earliest staple proteins consumed by human civilization after the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. Lamb, hogget, and mutton are the meat of Domestic sheep. The meat of an animal in its first year is lamb; that of an older sheep is hogget A hunter-gatherer society is one whose primary subsistence method involves the direct procurement of edible plants and animals from the wild Foraging and Hunting [9] Sheep meat prepared for food is known as either mutton or lamb. "Mutton" is derived from the Old French moton, which was the word for sheep used by the Anglo-Norman rulers of much of the British Isles in the Middle Ages. Old French was the Romance Dialect continuum spoken in territories which span roughly the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. This became the name for sheep meat in English, while the Old English word sceap was kept for the live animal. [110] Throughout modern history, "mutton" has been limited to the meat of mature sheep usually at least two years of age; "lamb" is used for that of immature sheep less than a year. [111][112][113]
In the 21st century, the nations with the highest consumption of sheep meat are the Persian Gulf states, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, Uruguay, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Uruguay.(official full name in República Oriental del Uruguay;, Oriental Republic of Uruguay) is a country located in the southeastern part of South America [8] These countries eat 14–40 lbs (3–18 kg) of sheep meat per capita, per annum. Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' P Q R [8][113] Sheep meat is also popular in France, Africa (especially the Maghreb), the Caribbean, the rest of the Middle East, India, and parts of China. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Maghreb (المغرب العربي al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī) also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb) meaning "place of Sunset The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National [113] This often reflects a past history of sheep production. In these countries in particular, dishes comprising alternative cuts and offal may be popular or traditional. Offal is the Entrails and Internal organs of a Butchered Animal. Sheep testicles—called animelles or lamb fries—are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male Animelles is the culinary term for a type of Offal, the Testicles of animals especially young rams when used as food Lamb fries is the name generally given to lamb Animelles ( Testicles) that have been peeled rolled in cracker meal fried and served as food Perhaps the most infamous dish of sheep meat is the Scottish haggis, composed of various sheep innards cooked inside its stomach. Infamy, in common usage is notoriety gained from a negative incident or reputation (as opposed to fame) Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish There are many recipes most of which have in common the following ingredients Sheep 's ' pluck ' ( Heart [114] In comparison, countries such as the U. S. consume only a pound or less (under 0. 5 kg), with Americans eating 50 pounds (22 kg) of pork and 65 pounds (29 kg) of beef. [113] In addition, such countries rarely eat mutton, and may favor the more expensive cuts of lamb: mostly lamb chops and leg of lamb. A chop of meat is a cut of meat cut perpendicularly to the spine and usually containing a Rib or part of a Vertebra and served as an individual portion Lamb, hogget, and mutton are the meat of Domestic sheep. The meat of an animal in its first year is lamb; that of an older sheep is hogget [8]
Though sheep's milk may have been drunk in antiquity, it today is used predominantly in cheese and yogurt. Sheep have only two teats, and produce a far smaller volume of milk than cows. Teat is an alternative word for the Nipple of a Mammary gland, in humans referred to as a Breast, from which Milk is discharged [9] However, as sheep's milk contains far more fat, solids, and minerals than cow's milk, it is ideal for the cheese-making process. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. [21] It also resists contamination during cooling better because of its much higher calcium content. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 [21] Well-known cheeses made from sheep milk include the Feta of Greece, Roquefort of France, Manchego from Spain, the Pecorino Romano (the Italian word for sheep is pecore) and Ricotta of Italy. Feta ( φέτα, also spelled fetta) is a brined Curd Cheese traditionally made in Greece with goat's and Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Roquefort ( AmE, BrE, French; from Occitan ròcafòrt) is a Sheep milk blue Cheese from the south Manchego cheese is a Sheep milk Cheese made in the La Mancha region of '''Spain'''. Pecorino Romano is a hard salty Italian Cheese, suitable primarily for grating, made out of Sheep milk (the Italian word Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. Ricotta (pronounced in Italian) is an Italian Sheep milk Whey cheese. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Yogurts, especially some forms of strained yogurt, may also be made from sheep milk. Strained yoghurt, yoghurt cheese, labneh / labaneh ( Arabic لبنة) or Greek yoghurt is Yoghurt which has [115] Many of these products are now often made with cow's milk, especially when produced outside their country of origin. [8] Sheep milk contains 4. 8% lactose, which may affect those who are intolerant. Lactose (also referred to as milk sugar) is a Sugar which is found most notably in Milk. Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize Lactose, a sugar found in Milk and other Dairy products because the required enzyme [8]
.jpg/180px-Dollyscotland_(crop).jpg)
In science
Sheep are generally too large and reproduce too slowly to make ideal research subjects, so are not a common model organism. A model organism is a Species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological Phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made [116] They have, however, played an influential role in some fields of science. In particular, the Roslin Institute of Edinburgh, Scotland used sheep for genetics research that produced groundbreaking results. The Roslin Institute is a government research institute at Roslin, a village in Midlothian, Scotland, that is sponsored by the Biotechnology Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is In 1995, two ewes named Megan and Morag were the first mammals cloned from differentiated cells. Megan and Morag (born June 1995 were two Domestic sheep, and the first Mammals to have been successfully cloned from differentiated cells Cloning in Biology is the process of producing populations of genetically-identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as Bacteria, Insects In Developmental biology, cellular differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized Cell type. A year later, a Finnish Dorset sheep named Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell. A Finnish Dorset is a crossed-breed Sheep, half Finnsheep, and half Dorset breed Dolly was a ewe ( July 5, 1996 – February 14, 2003) that was the first Animal to be cloned from an adult Cloning in Biology is the process of producing populations of genetically-identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as Bacteria, Insects Somatic cells are any cells forming the body of an organism as opposed to Germline cells Following this, Polly and Molly were the first mammals to be simultaneously cloned and transgenic. Polly and Molly (Born 1997 - died unknown two ewes, This article is about organisms which have been genetically modified As of 2008, the sheep genome has not been fully sequenced, although a detailed genetic map has been published,[117] and a draft version of the complete genome produced by assembling sheep DNA sequences using information given by the genomes of other mammals. In classical genetics the genome of a Diploid Organism including Eukarya refers to a full set of chromosomes or genes in a Gamete, thereby Genetic linkage occurs when particular genetic loci or Alleles for genes are inherited jointly [118]
In the study of natural selection, the population of Soay sheep that remain on the island of Hirta have been used to explore the relation of body size and coloration to reproductive success. Natural selection is the process by which favorable Heritable traits become more common in successive Generations of a Population of Not to be confused with Hitra Hirta ( Scottish Gaelic language Hiort) is the largest island in the St Kilda archipelago [119] Soay sheep come in several colors, and researchers investigated why the larger, darker sheep were in decline; this occurrence contradicted the rule of thumb that larger members of a population tend to be more successful reproductively. [120] The feral Soays on Hirta are especially useful subjects because they are isolated. [121]
Sheep are one of the few animals where the molecular basis of the diversity of male sexual preferences has been examined. [122] However, this research has been controversial, and much publicity has been produced by a study at the Oregon Health and Science University that investigated the mechanisms that produce homosexuality in rams. Oregon Health & Science University ( OHSU) is a public University in Oregon with a main campus including three Hospitals in Portland Organizations such as PETA campaigned against the study, accusing scientists of trying to cure homosexuality in the sheep. [45] OHSU and the involved scientists vehemently denied such accusations. [45]
Domestic sheep are sometimes used in medical research, particularly for researching cardiovascular physiology, in areas such as hypertension and heart failure. Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the Blood pressure is chronically elevated Heart failure is a Cardiac condition that occurs when a problem with the structure or function of the Heart impairs its ability to supply [123][124] Pregnant sheep are also a useful model for human pregnancy,[125] and have been used to investigate the effects on fetal development of malnutrition and hypoxia. Malnutrition is a general term for a medical condition caused by an improper or insufficient diet. Chronic Hypoxia is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole ( generalized hypoxia) or region of the body ( tissue hypoxia) is deprived of adequate [126] In behavioral sciences, sheep have been used in isolated cases for the study of facial recognition, as their mental process of recognition is qualitatively similar to humans. Behavioural science (or Behavioral science) is a term that encompasses all the disciplines that explore the activities of and interactions among Organisms in the natural Face perception is the process by which the Brain and Mind understand and interpret the Face, particularly the human face [127]
Cultural impact
- See also: List of fictional sheep and Bellwether
Sheep have had a strong presence in many cultures, especially in areas where they form the most common type of livestock. This is a list of fictional Sheep. Television Casserole, a sheep kept by the Kennedys in Australian soap opera Neighbours A bellwether is any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings In the English language, to call someone a sheep or ovine may allude that they are timid and easily led, if not outright stupid. [1] In contradiction to this image, male sheep are often used as symbols of virility and power, such as for the St. Louis Rams and the Dodge Ram. The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St This article is about the full-size truck For other uses such as the full-size van see Dodge Ram (disambiguation. Sheep are key symbols in fables and nursery rhymes like The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, Little Bo Peep, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. A fable is a succinct story in prose or verse that features Animals Plants inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are A nursery rhyme is a traditional Song or Poem taught to young children originally in the nursery. Little Bo Peep is an Eponymous character from a Nursery rhyme. "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is a Nursery rhyme of 19th-century American origin Novels such as George Orwell's Animal Farm, Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd and Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story utilize sheep characters or plot devices. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Animal Farm is a Novel by George Orwell, and is the most famous satirical Allegory of Soviet Totalitarianism Thomas Hardy OM (2 June 1840 – 11 January 1928 was an English novelist Short story writer and poet of the naturalist movement though he saw Far from the Madding Crowd (1874 is Thomas Hardy's fourth novel and his first major literary success Three Bags Full A Sheep Detective Story (original German title Glennkill Ein Schafskrimi) is a work of Detective fiction which features a A plot device is an element introduced into a story solely to advance or resolve the plot of the story Poems like William Blake's "The Lamb", songs such as Pink Floyd's "Sheep" and Bach's aria Sheep may safely graze (Schafe können sicher weiden) use sheep for metaphorical purposes. William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827 was an English poet, painter, and Printmaker. " The Lamb " is a poem by William Blake, published in Songs of Innocence in 1789. Pink Floyd are " Sheep " is a song by the English band Pink Floyd. It was released on the album Animals in 1977 WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section.2 This article is written in British English including maximised use of "-ise" Was mir behagt ist nur die muntre Jagd ( The lively hunt is all my heart's desire) BWV 208 also known as the Hunting Cantata, is a secular Cantata Metaphor (from the Greek: μεταφορά - metaphora, meaning "transfer" is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects In more modern popular culture, the 2007 film Black Sheep exploits sheep for horror and comedic effect, ironically turning sheep into blood-thirsty killers. Black Sheep is a New Zealand made comedy / Horror film directed by Jonathan King and made in a similar style to Peter Jackson
Counting sheep is popularly said to be an aid to sleep, and some ancient systems of counting sheep persist today. Counting sheep is a mental exercise used in some European cultures as a means of lulling oneself to sleep Yan Tan Tethera was a traditional numeric Jargon used by Shepherds to count Sheep in northern England and southern Scotland Sheep also enter in colloquial sayings and idiom frequently with such phrases as "black sheep". An idiom is a Phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal Definition, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only Black sheep is an English language Idiom which describes an odd or disreputable member of a group especially within one's family To call an individual a black sheep implies that they are an odd or disreputable member of a group. [128] This usage derives from the recessive trait that causes an occasional black lamb to be born in to an entirely white flock. These black sheep were considered undesirable by shepherds, as black wool is not as commercially viable as white wool. [128] Citizens who accept overbearing governments have been referred to by the portmanteau neologism of sheeple. A neologism (from Greek neo = "new" + logos = "word" is a word that although devised relatively recently in a specific time period has been Sheeple is a Term of disparagement, a Portmanteau created by combining the words " Sheep " and " people. Somewhat differently, the adjective "sheepish" is also used to describe embarrassment. [129]
In religion and folklore
Religious symbolism and ritual involving sheep began with some of the first faiths: skulls of rams (along with bulls) occupied central placement in shrines at the Çatalhöyük settlement in 8,000 BCE. Çatalhöyük (ʧɑtɑl højyk in Turkish also Çatal Höyük and Çatal Hüyük, or any of the three without Diacritics çatal is Turkish [130] In Ancient Egyptian religion, the ram was the symbol of several gods: Khnum, Heryshaf and Amun (in his incarnation as a god of fertility). Ancient Egyptian religion encompasses the various religious beliefs and rituals practiced in Ancient Egypt from the predynastic period until the adoption of Christianity In Egyptian mythology, Khnum (also spelled Chnum, Knum, or Khnemu) was one of the earliest Egyptian deities originally the god of the source In Egyptian mythology, Heryshaf ( Egyptian Ḥry-š=f "He who is on his lake" transcribed in Greek as " Harsaphes " Amun, reconstructed Egyptian Yamānu (also spelled Amon, Amoun, Amen, and rarely Imen, Greek Ἄμμων Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population [8] Other deities occasionally shown with ram features include: the goddess Ishtar, the Phoenecian god Baal-Hamon, and the Babylonian god Ea-Oannes. Ishtar ( D IŠTAR 𒀭𒌋𒁯 is the Assyrian and Babylonian counterpart to the Sumerian Inanna and to Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun [8] There are also many ancient Greek references to sheep. The god legend of Chrysomallos the golden-fleeced ram continues to be told through the modern era. In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece (Χρυσόμαλλον Δέρας is the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos (Χρυσόμαλλος
Sheep play an important role in all the Abrahamic faiths; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David were all shepherds. Abraham ( Ashkenazi Avrohom or Avruhom; ابراهيم, {{Unicode|Ibrāhīm}}; Ge'ez: According to the Hebrew Bible, Isaac ( Hebrew: Yitzchak יִצְחָק, Standard Yiẓḥaq Jacob ( Hebrew: יַעֲקֹב, Standard Yaʿaqov Tiberian Yaʿăqōḇ; Moses ( Latin: Moyses,; Greek: grc Mωυσής in both the Septuagint and the New Testament; Arabic: ar موسىٰ David, Arabic: داوود or داود dawud, "beloved" was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible Sheep are also the first animals mentioned in the Old Testament. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. [131] According to the story of the Binding of Isaac, a ram is sacrificed as a substitute for Isaac after an angel stays Abraham's hand. The Binding of Isaac, in Genesis, is a story from the Hebrew Bible in which God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah Eid al-Adha is a major annual festival in Islam in which sheep (or other animals) are sacrificed in remembrance of this act. Eid al-Adha ( Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd ul-’Aḍḥā, Urdu: بقرعید or the Festival of Sacrifice is a religious festival celebrated For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. [132][133] Greeks and Romans also sacrificed sheep regularly in religious practice, and Judaism also once sacrificed sheep as part of the Korban. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Korban ( Hebrew: "sacrifice" קרבן (plural Korbanot קרבנות in Judaism, is the term for a variety of sacrificial offerings [134] Ovine symbols—such as the Passover lamb and the ceremonial blowing of a shofar—still find a presence in modern Judaic traditions. The Passover Seder Plate Hebrew: ke'ara (קערה is a special plate containing symbolic foods used by Jews during the Passover Seder. A shofar (שופר is a horn used for Jewish religious purposes In Christianity, a congregation is often referred to as a flock, and sheep are an element in the Christian iconography of the birth of Jesus. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Iconography is the branch of Art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images The Nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century Many Christian saints are considered patrons of sheep and shepherds. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity A list of Patron saints of occupations activities and communication mediums: Please do NOT add anything that is not an occupation or activity Christ is also portrayed as the Sacrificial lamb of God (Agnus Dei) and Easter celebrations in Greece and Romania traditionally feature a meal of Paschal lamb. A sacrificial lamb is a lamb (or metaphorical parallel killed or discounted in some way (as in a Sacrifice) in order to further some other cause Agnus Dei is a Latin term meaning Lamb of God, and was originally used to refer to Jesus Christ in his role of the perfect sacrificial Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania
Astrologically, the ram is the first sign of the Western zodiac, in which it is known as Aries. Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the Ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the heavens through the Constellations that divide the ecliptic Aries, the ram, is the first Astrological sign in the Zodiac. The sheep is also the eighth of the twelve animals associated with the 12-year cycle of in the Chinese zodiac, related to the Chinese calendar. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year cycle Each year of the 12 year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, incorporating elements of a Lunar calendar with those of a Solar calendar. [134] Sheep were not eaten in Madagascar as they were believed to be incarnations of the souls of ancestors. [134]
See also
References
- Budiansky, Stephen (1999). A sheep shearer is a worker who uses (hand-powered-blade or machine Shears to remove the wool from Domestic sheep. Shrek is a Merino wether (castrated male sheep in New Zealand, who gained international fame in 2004 after he avoided being caught and shorn The Covenant of the Wild: Why animals chose domestication. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300079931.
- Ensminger, Dr. M. E. ; Dr. R. O. Parker (1986). Sheep and Goat Science, Fifth Edition. Danville, Illinois: The Interstate Printers and Publishers Inc. ISBN 0-8134-2464-X.
- Simmons, Paula; Carol Ekarius (2001). Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-58017-262-2.
- Smith M. S. , Barbara; Mark Aseltine PhD, Gerald Kennedy DVM (1997). Beginning Shepherd's Manual, Second Edition. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press. ISBN 0-8138-2799-X.
- Weaver, Sue (2005). Sheep: small-scale sheep keeping for pleasure and profit. 3 Burroughs Irvine, CA 92618: Hobby Farm Press, an imprint of BowTie Press, a division of BowTie Inc. . ISBN 1-931993-49-1.
- Wooster, Chuck; Geoff Hansen (Photography) (2005). Living with Sheep: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Flock. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-59228-531-7.
Notes
- ^ a b Sheep. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-12-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican
- ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1995). The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0062700847.
- ^ Budiansky, pp. 97–98.
- ^ Budianksy, pp. 100–01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Ensminger
- ^ a b Natural Colored Sheep. Rare Breeds Watchlist. Rocky Mountain Natural Colored Sheep Breeders Association (January 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France.
- ^ a b An introduction to coloured sheep. British Coloured Sheep Breeders Association. Retrieved on 2008-01-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Weaver
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Simmons & Ekarius
- ^ Melinda J. Burrill Ph. D. Professor Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, California State Polytechnic University (2004). "Sheep". World Book. Mackiev.
- ^ Schoenian, Susan. Sheep Basics. Sheep101. info. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Smith et al.
- ^ a b Smith et al. , p. 5.
- ^ Shulaw, Dr. William P. (2006). "Sheep Care Guide". American Sheep Industry Association.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Brown, Dave; Sam Meadowcroft (1996). The Modern Shepherd. Wharfedale Road, Ipswich 1P1 4LG, United Kingdom: Farming Press. ISBN 0-85236-188-2.
- ^ a b c Smith et al. , p. 4.
- ^ Sheep (Ovis aries). Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science. Retrieved on 2007-11-02. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000
- ^ "Merino sells for record $16,000", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2008-01-21. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Wooster
- ^ Pulina, Giuseppe; Roberta Bencini (2004). Dairy Sheep Nutrition. CABI Publishing. ISBN 0851995950.
- ^ a b c Pulina et al p. 2.
- ^ Rare Breeds Survival Trust (UK) (January 2007). The Rare Breeds Survival Trust ( RBST) is a conservation charity whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the United Kingdom ’s native Sheep. Rare Breeds Watchlist. Retrieved on 2008-01-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire.
- ^ American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (2007). The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a Nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in based in Pittsboro North Carolina. Conservation Priority List. Retrieved on 2008-01-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire.
- ^ a b Simmons & Ekarius, p. 146.
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 56.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 171.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 82.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 160.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 143.
- ^ a b Wooster, p. 64.
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 101.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 159.
- ^ a b c d Budiansky
- ^ Budiasnky p. 100 et al.
- ^ Budiansky p. 100.
- ^ Wooster pp. 73, 75.
- ^ Sheep taught to stay put. BBC News (2001-11-03). Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. Retrieved on 2006-04-29. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 8.
- ^ a b Budiansky p. 78.
- ^ a b Kendrick, Keith; da Costa AP, Leigh AE, Hinton MR, Peirce JW (Nov 2001). "Sheep don't forget a face". Nature. 11700543.
- ^ a b {{Cite journal|last=Morell|first=Virginia|date=March|year=2008|title=Animal Minds|periodical=[[National Geographic Magazine|publisher=The National Geographic Society|volume=213|issue=3}} pg. Overview The NGS's historical mission is "to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural historical and natural 47
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 3.
- ^ Crafty sheep conquer cattle grids. BBC News (2004-07-30). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Retrieved on 2006-04-29. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans.
- ^ Wooster, p. 111.
- ^ a b c Schwartz, John. "Of Gay Sheep, Modern Science and Bad Publicity", The New York Times, 2007-01-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ Padula, A. M. (2005). "The freemartin syndrome: an update.". Animal Reproduction Science 87 (1/2): pp. 93–109.
- ^ Wooster, p. 71.
- ^ Wooster, p. 124.
- ^ "Quintuplet birth takes sheep breeder by surprise", Prague Daily Monitor, Czech News Agency, 2008-01-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Retrieved on 2008-01-25. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate
- ^ Smith, et al. , p. 32.
- ^ Budiansky, pp. 122–23.
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 110.
- ^ Smith, et al. , p. 112.
- ^ Wooster, p. 187.
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 95.
- ^ Paolo Bellavite, Riccardo Ortolani, and Anita Conforti (June 2006). "Immunology and Homeopathy. Experimental Studies on Animal Models". Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine 3 (2): pp. 171–86. PMID 16786046.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 161.
- ^ a b Sheep and Goats Death Loss. National Agricultural Statistics Service (2005-05-06). The National Agricultural Statistics Service or NASS is the statistical branch of the U Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the
- ^ "Sheep mauled by wild dogs", Tweed Daily News, 2008-01-18. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
- ^ Lewis, Gareth. "Sheep worrying leads to warning from farmers", The Daily Echo, 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
- ^ Macdonald, David Whyte; Claudio Sillero-Zubiri (2004). The Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198515553.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 124.
- ^ "Savagely mauled sheep carcass raises fears of big cat lurking in Somerset hills", Daily Mail, 2008-01-22. The Daily Mail is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Retrieved on 2008-01-23. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius et al p. 127.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 131.
- ^ Effects of Wildlife Services on Predator Populations. Wildlife Services (October 2001). Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled
- ^ Krebs, Robert E. & Carolyn A. (2003). Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions & Discoveries of the Ancient World. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31342-3.
- ^ Budiansky, p. 167.
- ^ a b Hiendleder S, Kaupe B, Wassmuth R, Janke A (2002). "Molecular analysis of wild and domestic sheep questions current nomenclature and provides evidence for domestication from two different subspecies" (PDF). Proc. Biol. Sci. 269 (1494): 893. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 12028771.
- ^ Hiendleder, S. ; K. Mainz, Y. Plante, H. Lewalski (March 2007). "Analysis of mitochondrial DNA indicates that domestic sheep are derived from two different ancestral maternal sources: no evidence for contributions from urial and argali sheep. ". The Journal of Heredity 89 (2): p. Heredity is a Scientific journal concerned with Heredity in a biological sense i 113. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 9542158.
- ^ Meadows, J. R. ; I. Cemal, O. Karaca, et al. (March 2007). "Five ovine mitochondrial lineages identified from sheep breeds of the near East.". Genetics 175 (3): p. Genetics (not to be confused with the Indian publication Journal of Genetics) is a monthly Scientific journal publishing investigations bearing 1371. PMID 17194773.
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 8.
- ^ a b c d Blench, Roger; Kevin C MacDonald (1999). The Origins and Development of African Livestock. Routledge. ISBN 1841420182.
- ^ a b Pliny the Elder (AD 77), Naturalis Historia, pp. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. Chapters 72-25, <http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137;query=chapter%3D%23397;layout=;loc=8.73>. Retrieved on 29 December 2007
- ^ a b c d e Defourneaux, Marcelin (1979). Daily Life in Spain in the Golden Age. Stanford University Press, pp. 147–48. ISBN 0804710295.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 66.
- ^ Thirsk, Joan; H. E. Hallam, Stuart Piggott, et al. (2000). The Agrarian History of England and Wales. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521200741.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 56.
- ^ "Sheep industry vulnerable target warns BWMB", Farmer's Guardian, 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Virginia DeJohn (2006). Creatures of Empire: How Domestic Animals Transformed Early America. Oxford University Press, pp. 147–48. ISBN 0195304462.
- ^ Forstenzer, Martin. "It's Wild vs. Domestic Sheep as Groups Lock Horns Over Grazing Area", The New York Times, 2005-09-20. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Retrieved on 2007-12-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian
- ^ a b Rohter, Larry. "In Patagonia, Sheep Ranches Get Another Chance", The New York Times, 2003-07-23. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva.
- ^ a b c d e Grasslands of the world. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city
- ^ FAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ Nash, Nathaniel C. . "Patagonia Fortunes Fade in Cloud of Volcanic Ash", The New York Times, 1994-03-19. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva.
- ^ The people of New Zealand. TeAra: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand (2006-06-09). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ Associated Press. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio "New Zealand Declares National Lamb Day", CBS News, 2007-01-26. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
- ^ a b c d e f D'arcy, J. B. (1990). Sheep Management and Wool Technology. University of New South Wales Press, pp. 147–48. ISBN 086840036X.
- ^ a b c d Macintyre, Stuart (2004). A Concise History of Australia. Cambridge University Press, pp. 30, 37, 57. ISBN 0521601010.
- ^ Agricultural production. TeAra: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ Singer, Peter (1991). Peter Albert David Singer (born July 6, 1946 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian philosopher. Animal Liberation. Avon Books. ISBN 0380713330.
- ^ a b "Wool Boycott Targets Australia Sheep Farmers", National Geographic News, 2005-08-16. Overview The NGS's historical mission is "to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural historical and natural Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ Peter Wilkinson (2004-11-08). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration In the News. Australian Wool Growers Association. Retrieved on 2007-01-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople.
- ^ Tara De Landgrafft (24 April 2007). New Zealand farmers on the ball with bare breech breeding. ABC Rural News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Retrieved on 2007-05-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor.
- ^ a b Savethesheep.com. PETA. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
- ^ "Pink angers Australian government", BBC News, 2006-12-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Retrieved on 2007-01-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople.
- ^ Cuming, Marius. "Live sheep ship-shape", North Queensland Register, 2008-01-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled
- ^ Severson, Kim. "Iceland Woos America With Lamb and Skyr", The New York Times, 2005-09-14. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva.
- ^ Wooster, p. ix.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarus p. 325-329
- ^ Sheep Poo paper. Creative Paper Wales. Retrieved on 2007-12-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius p. 322
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius p. 333
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius p. 332-334
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 31.
- ^ Small, Joanna. "Sheep Compete With Beef", KSBR News, ABC, 2008-01-18. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 1.
- ^ a b Wilde, Matthew. "Profit opportunities raising sheep", Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 2008-01-20. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva.
- ^ Simmons & Ekarius, p. 3.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 1933: Mutton, Sheep, Beef.
- ^ Mutton. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved on 2008-01-23. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
- ^ What Is Mutton?Understanding The History. Mutton Renaissance Campaign. The Mutton Renaissance Campaign was founded in 2004 by Charles Prince of Wales to advocate for the consumption of Mutton (and not lamb) by Britons Retrieved on 2008-01-23. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
- ^ a b c d Apple Jr. , R. W. . "Much Ado About Mutton, but Not in These Parts", The New York Times, 2006-03-29. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Retrieved on 2008-01-23. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
- ^ Smith et al. , p. 147.
- ^ Kurmann, Joeseph A. ; Jeremija Lj. Rašić Manfred Kroger (1992). Encyclopedia of Fermented Fresh Milk Products: An International Inventory. 233 Spring Street New York, NY: Springer. ISBN 0442008694. p. 343
- ^ Fifth Report on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union (PDF). Commission of the European Communities (November 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-10. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead
- ^ de Gortari MJ, Freking BA, Cuthbertson RP, et al (1998). "A second-generation linkage map of the sheep genome". Mamm. Genome 9 (3): pp. 204–09. PMID 9501303.
- ^ Dalrymple BP, Kirkness EF, Nefedov M, et al (2007). "Using comparative genomics to reorder the human genome sequence into a virtual sheep genome". Genome Biol 8 (7): R152. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 17663790.
- ^ Fountain, Henry. "In a Sheep Population, Researchers Find a Fitness Gene", The New York Times, 2008-01-22. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France.
- ^ Sample, Ian. "Soays' natural selection on the hoof", The Guardian, 2008-01-18. The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France.
- ^ Fleming, Nic. "Darker black sheep's decline is in the genes", The Daily Telegraph, 2008-01-18. For "The Daily Telegraph" in Australia see The Daily Telegraph (Australia. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France.
- ^ Roselli CE, Larkin K, Resko JA, Stellflug JN, Stormshak F (2004). "The volume of a sexually dimorphic nucleus in the ovine medial preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus varies with sexual partner preference". Endocrinology 145 (2): pp. 478–83. PMID 14525915.
- ^ Recchia FA, Lionetti V (2007). "Animal models of dilated cardiomyopathy for translational research". Vet. Res. Commun. 31 Suppl 1: pp. 35–41. PMID 17682844.
- ^ Hasenfuss G (1998). "Animal models of human cardiovascular disease, heart failure and hypertrophy". Cardiovasc. Res. 39 (1): 60. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 9764190.
- ^ Barry JS, Anthony RV (2008). "The pregnant sheep as a model for human pregnancy". Theriogenology 69 (1): pp. 55–67. PMID 17976713.
- ^ Vuguin PM (2007). "Animal models for small for gestational age and fetal programming of adult disease". Horm. Res. 68 (3): 113. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 17351325.
- ^ Peirce JW, Leigh AE, daCosta AP, Kendrick KM. (June 2001). "Human face recognition in sheep: lack of configurational coding and right hemisphere advantage. ". Behavioural processes 55: 13. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 11390088.
- ^ a b American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Google Books. Retrieved on 2007-11-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St
- ^ Sheepish. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-12-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican
- ^ Budiansky, p. 159.
- ^ Genesis 4:2: "And again she bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. " – Jewish Publication Society Tanakh/King James Version
- ^ Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja) - the festival of sacrifice. BBC. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army
- ^ Eid Festival Around The World - Graphic photos. Sweetness & Light. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army
- ^ a b c Cooper, JC (1992). Symbolic and Mythological Animals. London: Aquarian Press, p. 219. ISBN 1-85538-118-4.
External links
- Sheep! magazine
- New Zealand Sheepbreeders Association
- Canadian Sheep Federation
- National Sheep Association (UK)
- Sheep at the Open Directory Project
- American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners
- Cornell University Sheep Program
- livingwithsheep.com
The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory
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