Sheep Signals - Global edition

SheepSIGNALS

SheepSIGNALS ‘One sheep is not a sheep’ Sheep continuously give signals that give you so much information about their health, well-being, feed and behaviour. For every sheep farmer and hobbyist, the art is to notice these signals and take appropriate action.

Frank Glorie

Sheep Signals is the ideal practical guide for learning how to better observe behaviour, posture and physical characteristics of groups of sheep and individuals.

Since a sheep is a typical herd animal, it should always be assessed in the context of the group. When doing this, it is important not to jump to conclusions too quickly but keep asking three questions: What do I see? What is the cause? What should I do? With this knowledge, you can then take directly targeted measures. Can you recognise a liver fluke snail? And did you know that copper requirements vary from breed to breed? How can you tell whether a sheep is suffering from copper poisoning or a copper deficiency?

Sheep SIGNALS

A practical guide to animal-focused sheep husbandry

There are always plenty of signals to pick up if you use your antennae.

Sheep Signals will help you to develop them.

Sheep Signals is the first edition in the Sheep Signals® series.

Sheep Signals® presents in an accessible way practical knowledge about animaloriented sheep farming.

ISBN 978-90-8740-239-6

www.roodbont.com

9 789087 402396

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Frank Glorie

CRED ITS

Sheep Signals Publisher

Photography

Roodbont Publishers B.V.

Frank Glorie.

Authors Frank Glorie, Jolanda Holleman and Berrie Klein Swormink.

Conceptual advisor Jan Hulsen, Vetvice® Group

Editors Ton van Schie and Judith Oudkerk.

Translation First Edition Translations Ltd

Content editor Neil Sargison

Illustrations Marinette Hoogendoorn-Meijer, Jolanda Hiddink and Gerda Peters.

Layout Jolanda Hiddink, Studio Hiddink

Special thanks to

ASG-WUR (115); B. Porter (51); BerndH (116); B. Klein Swormink (6, 18, 19, 20, 34, 40, 45, 54, 58, 58, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 82, 90, 104, 111, 124); Dairymac (80); Dalton Continental B.V. (84); De Beeldkuil (37, 47, 103); Dierenbeeldbank.nl (16, 17, 26, 27, 28, 30, 38, 43, 56, 62, 81, 87, 99, 100, 103, 105, 117, 122); Dr. P. James, University of Queensland (51); F. Lähnn (115); H. Zell (116); Hajotthu (115); H. Ploeger (faculteit diergeneeskunde) (112); H. Talen (28); H. Riswick (vakblad Het Schaap) (62, 16, 37, 40, 48, 108); I. Bokmal (115); Jan Hulsen (5, 8, 10, 18, 22, 53, 61, 65, 70, 84, 85, 92, 95, 98, 99, 102, 102, 113, 123); J. Montero (93); J. Driessen (5, 7, 9, 18, 24, 33, 52, 56, 66, 86, 92, 95, 103, 106, 107, 113, 120, 121, 122); J. Holleman (4, 8, 10, 19, 19, 20, 24, 36, 42, 47, 50, 52, 60, 63, 64, 84, 92, 93, 115, 116, 118); J. van Andel (48); K. Peters (116); M. Volk (60, 83); M. Berendsen (6, 7, 9, 18, 24, 27, 31, 32, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 50, 51, 55, 59, 62, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 83, 86, 87, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 101, 109, 110, 111, 119, 121, 123, 125); M. Canfield (105); NADIS (10, 52, 61, 61, 74, 75); Het Ontwikkelcentrum (40, 70, 72, 76, 77, 79, 80, 87, 94, 98); Prof. Dr. Cord Drögemüller (31); R. Kuhn (17, 22, 33, 39, 60, 86, 87, 97, 117); Rosier (116); Alan R Walker (52); S. de Wolf (109); Schapenhoeve (7, 33, 81, 87, 89, 102); S. Schoenian (31, 32, 89); Sydell (84); Veno (65); W. Hagens (115).

For books, digital content and customisation

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Joep Driessen, Joop Driessen, Inge Nijhoving, Jan-Willem Bakker, Patrick Haccou, Bert van Cleef and Jeljer Wynia.

ISBN: 978-90-8740-239-6

Roodbont Publishers B.V. T +31(0)575 54 56 88 E info@roodbont.com I www.roodbont.com

For consultation and workshops

Schapendokter T +31(0)6 46 08 75 60 E info@schapendokter.nl I www.schapendoker.nl

Signals concept

© Roodbont Publishers B.V., 2016

No part of this publication may be reproduced and/or published in any form, by print, photoprint, or any other means, without prior written permission from the publisher.

The authors and publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the contents of this publication.

The authors and publishers cannot accept any liability for damage of any kind ensuing from actions and/or decisions based on the information provided.

The publishers have done their utmost to identify the holders of the rights to the images used in this publication. If a source remains unspecified, rights-holders should contact the publishers.

CowSignals Training Company T +31(0)6 54 26 73 53 E info@cowsignals.com I www.cowsignals.com

Vetvice® Group T+31(0)165 30 43 05 E info@vetvice.com I www.vetvice.com

TA B LE

OF

CON TEN TS

Table of Contents Introduction 4 Look – Think – Act Daily inspection and Unclassified Notable Observations Clever ways to record sheep signals Systematic observation Signals from dung Monitoring foot health Condition scoring Healthy sheep Sick sheep The Sheep Signals Diamond The skeleton

1. Sheep: basic facts Flock behaviour Herding sheep Food and digestion Specific check points See – smell – hear – taste – feel Risk groups and risk phases Risk locations

2. Autumn

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Multiple tupping rams Aggressive rams After tupping The field Liver fluke Itching and wool loss

42 43 44 46 48 51

5. Spring

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P 16

17 20 22 24 25 26 27

28

Tupping period and lambing 29 30 Breeding objective and ewe selection Eliminating genetic defects 31 Ewe selection: udders and legs 32 Ewe selection: age and teeth 33 Ram selection 34 Ewes ready for the tupping season 36 Mating 38 Oestrous synchronisation 39 Covering 40

3. Winter

54

Feed requirements during gestation 55 Grazing in the winter 56 Doing the rounds 59 Minerals 60 Fences 62 Risks during gestation 63 In the lambing shed in winter 64 Straw and hay 66 Checking when you bring them in 67 Feed requirements in the lambing shed 68

4. Lambing

70

Birth signals 71 72 The birth Lambing problems 74 Lamb presentations and assistance 75 Immediate colostrum 78 Care immediately after lambing 79 After lambing 81 Colostrum 82 Checking colostrum intake 83 84 A few days after lambing Udder problems 85 Ewes with too many lambs 86 Lambing outdoors 88 Abortions 89

90

Feed 91 Feeding 92 Cade lambs 93 Feet trimming 95 Foot rot 97 Turning out 98 In the field 100 Health 101 Weaning and feed requirements 106

6. Summer

108

Weaned lambs in the field 109 Grazing systems 110 111 Rotational grazing and joint grazing Worms 112 Pasture 114 Dangers in the field 116 117 Water in the field Mowing and hay-making 118 Silage 119 Non-thrivers 120 Myiasis 121 Shearing 123

Appendix: Breed chart

126

Index 127

Introduc tion

Watching is not the same as just looking. Watching is a conscious process. When you are watching, you are searching for answers with your eyes.

You can see even more by watching in a structured way. You need to get used to a proper system, because it needs to become a habit. To pick up signals really well, you need to be able to consciously apply all of your senses – you need to see, hear, smell, touch and taste and you need to do so attentively.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Sheep signals tell us many things about how sheep are feeling and what they need.

Watching sheep

Good sheep husbandry means doing the right things and doing them well all of the time. And that starts with picking up signals well. You need to take time to consciously pick up all of the signals that the sheep are sending out. To do so it is important to observe in two ways: with an open mind and by focusing in.

4

1. Observing with an open mind To observe with an open mind, you need to forget about everything and watch a group of sheep as if for the first time. You need to take your time about it, so that you notice details that could indicate a problem. The animals will only display any anomalies if they do not feel disturbed. It is best if you have got nothing else on your mind and are not doing other work at the same time.

Look at them through a stranger’s eyes, or through a child’s eyes.

2. Focusing in To be able to see things, you need to search for them. In the summer, for example, you should focus in on signs of flystrike. Are there any sheep that are twitching their tails frequently or twisting round? Is one of the sheep split off from the others or looking restless? Are there grey or damp spots in her wool? Have any of the sheep got dags? Are there a lot of blowflies around? You need to check that things are fine and that you are on top of any potential risk situations.

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

LOOK

–

TH I N K

–

ACT

Start wide-angle and then focus in You should first look at the overall picture and then focus in, beginning with the whole lot and then zooming in to a few, starting from far off and moving to close up. But details that occur to you can only be judged properly in context.

So you need to focus back out again and look at the bigger picture. For example, why is one sheep standing up while the rest of the flock are lying down, chewing the cud?

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Attentive watching requires you to ask yourself questions As you watch, ask yourself the following questions: 1. What can I see?

Give an objective description.

2. Why is this?

Look for the cause.

3. What does it mean? l Is it a signal from one animal, or is there something wrong with more than one animal (flock signal)? l Is the information favourable or do I need to intervene?

1. What can I see?

Some of the sheep are asleep and some are not. The lambs are asleep and the ewes are alert.

2. Why is this?

The older ewes are watching over the sleeping lambs.

3. What does it mean?

This is normal flock behaviour.

1. What can I see?

This sheep has a swollen mandible or “bottle jaw”.

2. Why is this?

This is caused by oedema (fluid accumulation) in the head, caused by a blood and protein deficiency.

3. What does it mean?

This is caused by the parasitic barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). Together these worms can drink as much as 500 ml (17½ fl oz) of blood a day. More than one sheep will probably be affected, so the entire flock needs to be checked. Solution: check the mucous membranes of the other sheep (see page 24). Perform a faecal test and worm the sheep in accordance with the vet’s instructions.

IN TROD UCTIO N

5

DAILY

IN SPECTIO N

A ND

U NC L A S S IFIE D

NOTABL E

OBSE R VAT I ON S

Systematic checking

UNOs

Sheep need to be checked daily. First you should look at the flock as a whole. What are the sheep doing? Are they lying down and ruminating, or are they standing up and grazing? If the sheep are grazing and walking about, you should assess how they are walking. Are they moving smoothly or awkwardly? Are they calm or agitated? There are various reasons why they may be agitated, ranging from insufficient grass cover in the field to a severe outbreak of sheep scab. Do the sheep look alert and have they got their ears pricked when you walk into the field?

Is their wool clean, shiny and a bit greasy?

Have the sheep got stains or dags under their tails? This indicates abnormal dung.

Sometimes you may notice something that you do not know the cause of and are therefore unsure of its importance: an “Unclassified Notable Observation” (UNO, “you know”). See if you can pick up the signal from more animals and try to work out the cause. Ask yourself and others the “why-isthat- question”, because you will definitely learn from it. “Oh, now I know!” If you notice sheep nibbling on metal fence posts or trees, for example, it could indicate a lack of minerals or trace elements.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

It is clear here that something has caught the flock’s attention: all of the sheep are on the alert. The whole flock is agitated.

Animals that stand out

If a sheep is lying down and shows no interest when the farmer arrives, it needs to be checked. Keep a good look out for sheep that stand out from the rest of the flock.

Changes in a sheep’s normal behaviour may be an early sign of disease. For instance, if a ewe just stands in a corner of the field or lags behind when the flock are being rounded up, then that is immediate cause for extra attention. If a sheep stands out to you, then go and have a closer look. Do not just watch out for flock behaviour, but also for posture and general appearance. A sheep should not stand with a rounded back. Drooping ears are also a reason for concern. Try to gather as much information as possible.

6

The flock looks calm. The sheep are either walking around grazing, or lying down and ruminating.

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

C L E V E R

WAY S

Assessing and recording

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

IN TROD UCTIO N

R ECORD

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

Compare and ask

Make it a habit to record sheep signals.

It is impossible to remember everything.

Recording things can be simple: for example, using a notepad or blackboard in the lambing shed. There are also computer programs for sheep management. Especially if you have a lot of sheep, this may be useful.

Recording information makes even more sense if there is more than one person involved in taking care of the sheep. You can then keep each other informed better.

Simple aids can help make things clear. For instance, here coloured clothes-pegs are being used to show whether a lamb has had colostrum.

TO

You can keep track of sheep in various ways. With a double ear-tag, for example, you can record which lambs are suitable for breeding.

If you do not know whether or not something is normal, compare the animal in question with other sheep. You can also look to see whether another farmer’s sheep do the same. You can also find out a lot from taking part in a study group.

You can record the details for each sheep on a stall card.

7

SYSTEMATIC

OBS E RVAT IO N

Identifying signals early It is sometimes difficult to identify signals in sheep early. This may be due to a thick fleece, for example, making it difficult to pick up weight loss. Also a sheep will try to hide in the flock if it is ill, making it less conspicuous.

Sheep can sometimes roam a bit, making checking less intensive. So it is important that you keep checking them in a systematic way. Each animal should be checked at least once a day and you need to take your time over it - i.e. not just a quick once-over from the car. You should walk along the banks of ditches and dykes, around sheds and barns in the field, and along the edges of woods, because those are the sort of places sheep will hide when ill. Sheep that are lying down and ruminating are usually healthy.

Selecting good feet and lungs

LOOK – THINK – AC T What are the marks under this sheep ’ s eyes ?

This sheep has tear stains running from the corners of her eyes. The mucous membrane of the eye is not red or swollen, ruling out an eye infection. If a number of sheep in the flock have tear stains, it may indicate a cobalt deficiency. Crusts on the ears may also indicate a cobalt deficiency.

You can check this by taking blood samples from five sheep.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

If you have to walk a long distance with your sheep, you will immediately be able to find out some good information. Sheep with good feet and lungs will walk at the front, and the weaker ones will bring up the rear. It is worth making a note of these animals, so that you can sift them out if necessary.

8

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

S I G N A LS

Dung signals Sheep droppings should comprise sticky, greeny-brown balls. If a sheep’s droppings do not look like that, then it is a signal that something is not right with its feed or its health.

F ROM

D U N G

LOOK – THINK – AC T What do you notice with this sheep?

She has dags in the wool around her anus. This is due to scours (diarrhoea). Her dung needs to be tested for intestinal worm eggs and it needs to be checked that she is getting enough roughage.

If this does not reveal the cause, this animal needs to be examined by a vet.

It is also important to check that sheep in this condition are drinking enough, because otherwise they will become dehydrated. They lose a lot of moisture because of the diarrhoea.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Causes of dung that is too thin: • Feed: not enough roughage or too much protein.

• Health: gastrointestinal parasites (worms, coccidiosis, etc.) or gut infections.

Causes of dung that is too thick: • Rough, hard feed: uncultivated grazing, hard hay.

• Lack of water.

This is good, solid dung.

IN TROD UCTIO N

This dung is too thin and definitely not good.

The dung is too compact and dry, and therefore not good either.

9

MON ITORIN G

FOOT

HEA LT H

Painful feet This sheep is suffering from her front feet when walking, and is therefore walking around on her knees. She needs to be inspected and treated immediately. Foot rot is the most common foot disorder in sheep and is highly contagious. Because this sheep has difficulty walking, it will be eating less, leading to a loss of condition and reduced resistance. Inadequate foot maintenance is a sign of organisational blindness, especially if found in a number of sheep in a flock.

The other animals in the flock need to be checked as well. Sheep should be checked and treated for foot rot at least twice a year.

Flocks with no foot rot require less foot trimming or even none at all.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

You can only judge a sheep’s condition by touch. You can see with this sheep how misleading a thick fleece can be and what the sheep really looks like under all that wool.

Sheep on clay ground can develop hoof problems when the clay dries between the claws. Wet clay, on the other hand, softens hooves, therefore making them more vulnerable to bacteria. It is important to make sure the field drains well, so that no pools of water remain.

You can feel a sheep’s condition in its loins.

10

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

CON D I TI ON

Evaluating condition

Condition score

A sheep’s “condition” indicates how much meat and fat the animal has (nutritional status). You can evaluate this by feeling the loins, because it is impossible to see through the sheep’s wool. There are considerable differences between breeds: with the same amount of meat a Texel could be considered to be too thin and a landrace could be considered to have a heavy conformation. A sheep is not supposed to have a ridge down its back.

If you can see a ridge down its back, parting the wool to the left and right, the sheep is too thin. This does not apply in the case of obese sheep: they have a cleft down their backs where the wool converges instead of parting.

Spine prominent and sharp No fat cover

Fingers press Transverse under with ease process protrudes

Score 1: Emaciated IN TROD UCTIO N

Score

Ewe

Ram

Lamb

Action

1

• Long-term problems or deficiencies

• Long-term problems or deficiencies

• Long-term problems or deficiencies

• Check teeth/check for diseases

2

• Physical problem • Not enough energy in feed

• Physical problem • Not enough energy in feed • Shortly after (excessively long) tupping period

• Problem or deficiency

• Check for diseases • Allow to recuperate/give extra feed (concentrate)

3

• Healthy • Pre-tupping condition1

• Healthy

• Healthy

• None

3,5

• Healthy • Pre-tupping condition

• Healthy • Pre-tupping condition2

• Finished (slight fat cover)

• None

4

• Healthy

• Healthy/ pre-tupping condition

• Healthy

• None

5

• Obese

• Obese

• Obese

• Reduce weight

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P 1. Ewes should be improving in condition in the run-up to the tupping season.

2. Rams can be slightly fat (3.5–4) at the start of the tupping season.

Spine prominent but smooth Slight fat cover

S CORI N G

Muscle fullness

Fingers go Transverse under with process pressure rounded

Score 2: Thin

Spine only detected as a line

Spine rounded and smooth

Moderate fat cover

Muscle development full

Thick fat cover

Need hard Transverse finger pressure to process round find ends and smooth

Score 3: Good condition

Spine not detectable, fat dimpled over spine

Very thick fat cover Muscle development full

Transverse process cannot be felt

Score 4: Fat

Muscles very full

Transverse process not detectable

Score 5: Obese 11

HEALTHY

SHEEP

A healthy sheep

Sheep should have: Ears

Behaviour

Paralumbar fossa

Fleece

Approximately 4 hours’ sleep.

Several hours spent resting.

When stands up, defecates and stretches.

Alert, warm.

Alert, curious.

Full, 2 rumen contractions per minute.

Supple, curly, greasy, closed, no loose tufts or abrasions.

Mucous membranes Pale pink.

Appetite Good appetite. Several hours a day spent ruminating, spread over 4–6 periods.

Approximately 60 chews per cud.

Chest Spacious, lots of room for lungs and intestines.

Breathing 12–15 times per minute, calm, even breathing.

Joints Not thickened, easy to flex.

12

l A

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Movement

Hooves

Heart rate

Smooth, even.

Dry, straight, one (compact) whole.

The heartbeat should be regular and strong, with a heart rate of 60–80 bpm in adult sheep. Heart rate in lambs should be 115–140 bpm.

Udders Smooth, no hard lumps.

A mouth that closes well broad forehead, with bright, alert eyes l A straight back with wide lumbar vertebrae l Wide, flat, gently sloping rump l Long curved ribs l A broad, deep abdomen l Straight pasterns l Sturdy, straight front legs l A broad, deep chest l A neck tapering upwards l Straight parallel hocks l

Sleeping/waking

Temperature

38.5–40 °C (101.3–104 °F)

Skin Unblemished, pink.

Dung Well-formed droppings.

Posture/stance All legs taking weight properly.

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

S I CK

S H EEP

A sick sheep Sleeping/waking

Ears

Behaviour

Paralumbar fossa

Fleece

Does not like standing up, takes a long time to lie down.

Unable to settle.

Drooping, cold.

Lethargic, agitated, uninterested.

Visible, less than 2 rumen contractions per minute.

Matted, open, dry, no curl, abrasions.

Mucous membranes Purple = oxygen deficiency Yellow = liver condition Red = excessive blood viscosity White = anaemia

Nose Warm nose, discharge.

Appetite Poor appetite, little rumination, dribbling, slobbering, allowing food to fall from the mouth.

Teeth-grinding indicates pain.

Chest Front legs close together, little space for lungs and intestines.

Breathing Superficial, mouth open, panting, coughing, pumping, stuttering.

Breathing with a clear abdominal push or with constant head bobbing.

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

Temperature Too high or too low.

Skin Dry, flakes, crusts.

Dung Diarrhoea, worms, compact, no dung.

Joints

Movement

Heart rate

Udders

Posture/stance

Hooves

Thick, swollen, stiff, painful.

Awkward, stiff, uneven.

Too fast, weak, irregular.

Hot, red, swollen, hard, discoloured. Sometimes even black (necrotic).

Favouring legs, rounded back.

Deformed, divergent, wet.

IN TROD UCTIO N

13

THE

SHEEP

SIGNA L S

D IA MO ND

Sheep requirements The Sheep Signals Diamond summarises the basic sheep requirements. These requirements need to be met for each and every sheep, to ensure their well-being and ongoing health. Health is the result of all the

Feed

T H D IG TE R C Y E P Health O OT C R P

Rest

Each sheep must get sufficient rest in the flock and have a comfortable place to lie. Bedding should be clean and dry.

Irritation by bacteria or parasites causes agitation in sheep.

Make sure that your sheep are handled in a calm, predictable way, so that they feel safe.

14

Fe

ed

Wa

te

r

Every sheep must have access to unlimited clean water. Make sure, for example, that the sheep have drinking water when the weather is freezing and that there are a number of water troughs in the lambing shed and in the field. Make sure the water tastes and smells fresh, and does not contain any contaminants (e.g. high iron levels).

Light

Each sheep must have sufficient (flight) space.

For example, you need to ensure there are enough feeding spaces at the trough, so they can eat together as a flock. There needs to be a low stocking rate, so that there is low disease pressure and animals are less likely to contract disease. For example, make sure that there are enough fields to offer new grazing, so that the worm infestation rate stays low.

Water

Space

Every sheep needs access to sufficient food and of the correct composition. This is essential to maintain the animal’s life processes, and for health, growth and production. The most underrated cause of underperforming sheep is mineral deficiency. This is the number one cause in 90% of problem flocks.

Space

different facets, but is also an aspect in its own right. It is important to observe the animals every day and to check their condition on a regular basis, so that you can pick up changes early.

Re

st

Ai

r

Light Make sure that there is enough light in the lambing shed, so that the sheep feel comfortable and so you can check them properly.

Air

It is important that there is enough fresh air to avoid the build-up of manure gases and exhaled air, and for oxygen supply.

S H EEP

S I G N A LS

TH E

The skeleton Knowing how sheep are put together will help you with focusing in and having a better understanding of what you see.

6 5

1 Mandible 2 Maxilla 3 Nasal bone 4 Frontal bone 5 Orbit 6 Cervical vertebrae 7 Scapula 8 Thoracic vertebrae

3 2

16 Cannon bone 17 Tibia 18 Stifle joint 19 Femur 20 Ribs 21 Ulna 22 Dew-claw 23 Distal phalanx

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P 8

7

4

9 Lumbar vertebrae 10 Sacrum 11 Coccygeal vertebrae 12 Pelvis 13 Hip joint 14 Tail vertebrae 15 Tarsus

S KELETON

24 Coronary bone 25 Pastern 26 Front knee (carpus) 27 Radius 28 Humerus 29 Sternum

10

9

11 12 13

19

1

14

18

28

20

21

27 26 25 24

29

17

15

16

22

23

IN TROD UCTIO N

15

‘One sheep is not a sheep’

T H D IG TE R C Y P TE O O C R P

SheepSIGNALS

SheepSIGNALS Sheep continuously give signals that give you so much information about their health, well-being, feed and behaviour. For every sheep farmer and hobbyist, the art is to notice these signals and take appropriate action.

Frank Glorie

Sheep Signals is the ideal practical guide for learning how to better observe behaviour, posture and physical characteristics of groups of sheep and individuals.

Since a sheep is a typical herd animal, it should always be assessed in the context of the group. When doing this, it is important not to jump to conclusions too quickly but keep asking three questions: What do I see? What is the cause? What should I do? With this knowledge, you can then take directly targeted measures. Can you recognise a liver fluke snail? And did you know that copper requirements vary from breed to breed? How can you tell whether a sheep is suffering from copper poisoning or a copper deficiency?

Sheep SIGNALS

A practical guide to animal-focused sheep husbandry

There are always plenty of signals to pick up if you use your antennae.

Sheep Signals will help you to develop them.

Sheep Signals is the first edition in the Sheep Signals® series.

Sheep Signals® presents in an accessible way practical knowledge about animaloriented sheep farming.

ISBN 978-90-8740-239-6

www.roodbont.com

9 789087 402396

Frank Glorie