The Sheep
“Baa Baa black sheep, have you any wool?”
All of us are familiar with this nursery rhyme. Whenever we think of sheep, this jingle does come to our mind. Sheep is supposedly the first animal to be domesticated by humans about 11000 years ago in Mesopotamia. It is believed that the sheep originated from the mouflon in West Asia.
Sheep in history
Initially sheep was reared for milk, meat and skin. Shoring sheep for wools began around 6000 BC. By the Bronze Age, all major breeds of sheep were available throughout Western Asia. Weaving and spinning wool from sheep was practiced t home by ancient people. Babylonians, Sumerians and Persians depended on sheep largely.
Long after their domestication in Western Asia, sheep made their presence felt in Africa. They entered the continent through Sinai and gradually became important to the ancient Egyptian society. Sheep played an important role in farming in Africa. However today, South Africa is the only country that uses sheep for commercial purposes.
The European continent also domesticated the sheep. For the people of ancient Greek civilizations, the sheep was the primary livestock. Later during the Roman Empire, the sheep was kept as pet and used on large scale. The first wool processing factory was established in England about 50 AD. By 1000 AD, England and Spain became major centers for sheep production.
Sheep in the Americas
The first sheep arrived in the North America in 1493 with Columbus’ second voyage. However it was not until the 17th century, that a permanent flock of sheep arrived in the American soil. By 1640 there were about 100,000 sheep in 13 colonies. A woolen mill was also constructed in Massachusetts in 1662. Gradually by the 18800s, sheep production reached its zenith in North America during 1940s and 1950s.
In the South American district of Patagonia, an active sheep industry flourished which was introduced by the Spanish and the British. Sheep are an iconic part of both Australia and New Zealand. The former is the largest exporter of sheep and cattle and the latter has the highest density of sheep per capita.
Domestic sheep
One of the earliest animals to be domesticated, sheep is raised for fleece, meat and milk. A sheep’s wool is most widely used which is harvested by shearing. Sheep continues to be important for meat and wool to this day.
Appearance and Food Habit
Domestic sheep are relatively small compared to their wild cousins and are available in a wide array of colors. Body colors of a domestic sheep ranges from pure white to dark brown or even spotted. The height and weight of a sheep varies from breed to breed. However, generally ewes weigh between 45 and 100 kilograms and rams between 45 and 160 kilograms. Sheep possess good hearing ability and are sensitive to noise. With their stilt shape pupils, sheep enjoy excellent peripheral vision.
Sheep are predominantly herbivorous. Like all other ruminants they have a complex digestive system comprising four chambers. Sheep are usually grazing herbivore and crop plant which is essentially close to the ground.
Sheep have a natural inclination towards following a leader. They also have a tendency to assemble with other members of the flock.
Sheep breeding
A single ram usually mates with a number of ewes. Most sheep are seasonal breeders. Gestation period lasts for a period of five months and most ewes produce single or twin lambs. Diseases are common to all sheep. Excessive vocalization, less food consumption is signs of ill health. Worms are the most common parasite afflicting sheep. Sheep get easily infected by bacterial diseases. Vaccinations and treatment for parasites are essential to keep illness at bay.
Predation
Since sheep has little ability to defend themselves they become easy prey to wild animals such as coyotes and wolfs and wild dogs. Modern day methods of prevention includes fencing, both regular and electric and penning sheep. Animals like donkeys, guardian dogs and guard llamas are also used in sheep operations.
Sheep has played an important role in economy since time immemorial. A wide array of raw materials is derived from sheep such as wool, heavily used in the production of textiles. Sheepskin is used in the manufacturing of footwear, clothes and other products.