This document summarizes reproduction and management practices in sheep. It outlines the age of puberty and breeding for ewes and rams, typical gestation and lambing percentages. It also discusses managing rams, preparing ewes and rams for breeding, signs of lambing, lambing procedures, and caring for ewes and lambs after birth. The goal is to time breeding so lambs are born when grazing is plentiful, and manage the flock to maximize lamb and ewe health and productivity.

1. REPRODUCTION
AND ITS
MANAGEMENT IN
SHEEP

2.  Age of puberty-8-10 months
 Breeding age-15-18 months(for ewes)
 Breeding age-18 months(for rams)
 Gestation period-147 days
 Twinning-20-30%
 Desired lambing-120-140%
 Actual lambing-70-90%

3. Management of Rams
 Rams have a great power of sexual recuperation but if overworked
semen quality &quantity may be reduced. A ratio of 1 ram to 40-50
ewes is good. If synchronization of ewes has been done then the ratio
is 1 to 20-30.
 Rams are most fertile in age 2-5 years.
 Rams must be functionally effective: in other words they must have
healthy reproductive organs and strong, healthy legs.They should be
free from diseases. Nutrition given should be good.
 Test rams for fertility. If only a few rams are used, it is especially
important that they should be fertile. Scrotum should feel heavy when
lifted. Skin should be without any injuries & diseases. Scrotal
circumference of an adult ram should be 36-38 cm. It should be 28-30
cm in 1yr. old rams. Rams should not be affected from orchitis,
testicular hypoplasia or hernia. Sperm count should be 20 million per
gm of testicles.

4.  Rams must be skilled at mating. Rams should be kept away from
ewes before breeding season
 Use young rams with old ewes and old rams with young ewes.
 Rams must be healthy at breeding time. Some disease conditions
such as fever (also bluetongue injections) could cause temporary
infertility.
 The maximum age at which rams can be used for mating is 7–8 years.
Old rams cannot follow ewes for long distances.
 Ensure that the rams are in a good condition at breeding time. They
must not be overfat because then they become lazy.
 When animals have to walk long distances during the breeding
season, rams must be bought in good time so that they can adapt to
the environment.

5. MANAGEMENT OF EWES
 Ewes must be functionally efficient. A healthy udder with two normal,
healthy teats is essential. Examine the teats regularly in areas where
ticks occur.
 Ewes with hard udders (as a result of inflammation or blue udder), and
those with abnormally thick teats must be culled.
 Ewes must not be too old when they are mated. They must be culled
after
5–6 lambing seasons (7–8 years). Their teeth become bad and they
cannot
walk long distances to find grazing.
 Ewes must neither be too fat nor too thin.
 If young ewes are too thin, they do not come into oestrus.
 Ewes must be healthy. Disease conditions such as fever immediately
after mating could cause resorption of the foetus and abortion.
 Young ewes should be mated for the first time at 18 months. Atleast 2-
3 months should be given between weaning & mating.

6. BREEDING SEASON
 Mate the ewes so that they lamb when grazing is plentiful. Lambs will
then have a better chance of survival. It also prevents the buying of
expensive feed and the lambsare ready for the market at an early age.
 Limit the breeding season to 6 weeks to include two oestrus cycles.
When the mating season is too long, flock management (dipping,
vaccination and dosing) is more difficult.
 Sheep are seasonal breeders. Various seasons for breeding include-
 Summer season- Mar-apr. 20-30% animals are bred in this season.
 Autumn season- July-august.60-80% animals are bred in this season.
 Winter season –very rare.
 In haryana 2 major seasons are feb-march and oct-nov.

7. OESTROUS CYCLE
 Oestrous cycle in sheep is of 18 days. Heat
period is 36-48 hrs.
 Ovulation occur 24-48 hrs after the onset of
oestrus

8. PREPARING FOR BREEDING
 1. Flushing-special feed is given 3-4 weeks prior to
mating which includes 250-300 gm conc. Mixture ,
1-2%min. mixture and 500 gm legume hay
 2. Crutching-wool is clipped from and around the
tail and ext. genitalia.
 3. Trimming of hoof
 4. Ringing- wool removed from body of ram
around neck , belly and ext. genitalia

9. PREGNANCY PERIOD
 Avoid underfeeding and stress. Animals should not be
driven for long distances during the first 3 weeks of
pregnancy. This could cause resorption of the foetus.
 Provide sufficient feed to ewes during late pregnancy (last
6–8 weeks) to ensure that strong lambs are born, which
have the prospects of a good life expectation. This special
feeding is called steaming up
 protect from inclement weather and provide clean and
comfortable housing.
 Transfer ewe to separate pan at least 10 days prior to
lambing

10. SIGNS OF APPROACHING
LAMBING
 Appetite of animal is reduced or lost.
 Genitalia is swollen and congested.
 Animal breaths rapidly and looks back at
sides.
 Animal sits and stands frequently

11. LAMBING TIME
 Lambs should suckle as soon after birth as
possible to take in colostrum. Colostrum ensures
that they build up natural immunity against
diseases.
 Provide proper shelter against wind and rain.
 Ewes with lambs should not be allowed to
become too thin,because the lambs will not get
enough milk

12.  When the ewe has a lot of milk, the lamb
grows quickly and can be weaned sooner.
 This gives the ewe a chance to reach an
acceptable mass before the start of the next
breeding season.
 If a ewe loses too much condition during
lambing time, she will not conceive easily
during the breeding season.