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Sheep have a breeding season (tupping) in the autumn, though some can breed year-round. [1] As a result of the influence of humans on sheep breeding, ewes often produce multiple lambs. This increase in lamb births, both in number and birth weight, may cause problems with delivery and lamb survival, requiring the intervention of shepherds. [2]
Their rate of growth and mature weight is a heritable trait that is often selected for in breeding. [24] Ewes typically weigh between 45 and 100 kilograms (100 and 220 lb), and rams between 45 and 160 kilograms (100 and 350 lb). [25] When all deciduous teeth have erupted, the sheep has 20 teeth. [26] Mature sheep have 32 teeth.
Sexual maturity may even precede or follow mating. For instance, the impala males, though sexually mature by a year, can mate only after four years of age. [61] On the contrary barbary sheep females may give birth to offspring even before they have gained sexual maturity. [62]
In wild sheep, both rams and ewes have horns, while in domestic sheep (depending upon breed) horns may be present in both rams and ewes, in rams only, or in neither. Rams' horns may be very large – those of a mature bighorn ram can weigh 14 kg (31 lb) – as much as the bones of the rest of its body put together.
Finnsheep mature early and are known for their fertility. Rams can be bred at four to eight months of age, and ewes are expected to lamb at twelve months with multiple lambs. Although twins and triplets are most common, there have been litters born with as many as seven viable lambs.
Sheep farming in Namibia (2017). According to the FAOSTAT database of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the top five countries by number of head of sheep (average from 1993 to 2013) were: mainland China (146.5 million head), Australia (101.1 million), India (62.1 million), Iran (51.7 million), and the former Sudan (46.2 million). [2]
The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) [6] is a species of sheep native to North America. [7] It is named for its large horns.A pair of horns may weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb); [8] the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb). [9]
Mature rams weigh from 250 to 350 lb (110 to 160 kg), and mature ewes will range in weight from 200 to 250 lb (91 to 113 kg). Fleece of the Lincoln is carried in heavy locks that are often twisted into a spiral near the end.