Sheep


Below you will find resources for your sheep project:

MARKET LAMB
Junior Market Lamb Record Book
Senior Market Lamb Record Book

FLOCK SHEEP
Virginia 4-H Sheep Flock Project Junior Record Book
Virginia 4-H Sheep Flock Project Senior Record Book


 BASIC NEEDS
  • Space:
    • 20-25 sq. ft. of enclosed housing area
    • 0.2-0.3 acres of pasture
    • Open front, 3-sided shed set back 50 ft. 
    • Electric woven wire fencing
  • Nutrition
    • Forage
    • Pasture provides the majority of forage during the growing season
    • Pasture with high concentration of clover or legumes can lead to digestive issues
      • Supplement with dry hay reduces this risk
      • High quality hay
        • Alfalfa may be fed during the winter
        • Grain
      • Health
        • Parasite Control (treat for internal worms and coccidia)
          • Lambs should be "drenched" immediately after purchase and 3 weeks later
          • Talk to your veterinarian about parasite control as it is necessary to use a parasite control regimen that will prevent resistance from occuring
        • Hoof trimming and teeth floating when necessary
        • Vaccinations and Disease Prevention
          • A vaccination for Tetanus should be given to the lamb (Clostridium perifingens types C and D and Tetanus [CDT])
          • Act quickly if you notice signs of bloody diarrhea, weakness, and dehydration in your lamb in order to prevent Coccidiosis
          • Soremouth is a virus that produces scabby sores on the mouths and lips of lambs (a vaccine may be available for your lamb so check with your veterinarian)
      See for more information:
      Housing and Space Guidelines
      Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
      Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
      Guide to Raising Healthy Sheep
      Sheep Management Schedule
      Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
      Market Lamb Project

      SELECTING A PROJECT ANIMAL
      • You will need to make the choice whether you would like to show a market lamb or a flock sheep
      • If you choose to show a market lamb:
        • Check show rules to determine when your lamb should be born; our show requires that your lamb must be less than 1 year old and still have his or her baby teeth
        • The lamb must weigh at least 85 lbs. by the date of the show
        • Lambs of any breed or cross breeding can be sold as market lambs for meat
        • Common Market Lamb Breeds:


      • Be aware of how big/small the lamb is and keep in mind what age the lamb needs to be for showing
      • Consider these factors when selecting a lamb:
        • Structural Correctness
          • The neck should extend out of the shoulders, and the lamb's head should be erect
          • The lamb should stand wide and straight on both front and back legs with the legs placed squarely under the body
          • The lamb's top-line should appear strong and level
          • The lamb should have a long rump with a slight slope (not to steep)
          • The lamb should have strong pasterns 
        • Muscle
          • When viewed from behind the widest part of the legs should be the stifle area
          • A broad thick back is good
        • Volume and Capacity
          • Lambs should be long bodied and have good depth around the ribs
        • Style and Balance
          • When viewed form the side, the lamb should have a smooth shoulder, level top, and straight legs
          • Look for a lamb with overall balanced proportions
        • Growth and Production Potential
          • Larger framed lambs will generally grow faster to a larger size to be competitive in the show ring
      See for more information:
      Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
      Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
      Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
      Market Lamb Project

       KEEPING RECORDS
      • Registration with the breed association
        • Registration may need to be transferred to the exhibitor's name
        • Eligible animals may need initial registration
      • If you don't own the animal:
        • You may need to complete a lease application through 4-H or the breed association
      • It may be a good idea to join the respective breed's junior association
      • Accurate Health Records
        • Vaccination dates, application of parasite control
      • Keep a record of growth
        • Ensure the animal meets benchmarks for growth
      • Make a budget and document expenses
      DAILY CARE
      • Feeding recommended and adjusted amount for animal
      • Keep access to clean water at all times
      • Halter breaking/Walking for exercise
      See for more information:
      Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
      Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
      Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
      Market Lamb Project

      PRE-SHOW PREPARATION
      • Work with lambs several times a week at least one month before the event
      • Lambs may be halter broken or trained to lead by hand
      • Use a rope halter for halter breaking
        • The lead will extend from the animal's left side
        • Teach your lamb by using the pull and release method 
      • Train the lamb to walk when you pull on the halter or guide by your hand
        • It may be helpful to get a friend to push the lamb from behind when halter breaking
      • Sensitize your lamb to having its feet and legs touched and moved while holding at its head
      • Train your lamb to allow you to place its feet squarely
      • Practice showing at home
      • About 1 week to 10 days before the show, wash your lamb with mild soap and a scrub brush
        • Avoid getting water in the lamb's ears
        • Clean underneath the flanks well
        • Remove wax and dirt from the ears using a damp rag
        • Wash the lamb again before the day of the show
      • Shear your lamb and trim the hooves at least one week prior to the show
      • Know all of the parts of the lamb, as well as information about your lamb such as the age
      • Hauling arrangements
      • Preparations should begin several months in advance
        See for more information:
        Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
        Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
        Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
        Market Lamb Project
        Show Sheep Shearing Video

        HALTER BREAKING
        • Training ideally begins when the animal is young
        • Make training a positive experience
          • The animal should not feel like it is being chased
        •  Use an appropriately sized nylon halter for training
        • The adjustable side of the halter always goes on the left side of the animal's body
        • The nose piece of the halter should be appropriately positioned between the top of the nostrils and the eyes
        • Tie your animal for up to an hour the first few days with about five inches of slack in the rope so that the lamb can comfortably hold its head (tie the animal in a quiet, safe environment)
        • Tie using a quick release slip knot 
        • While the animal is tied, spend time brushing and petting it, working up toward the head

        See for more information and videos:
        Slip Knot Video
        Market Lamb Project

        TRAINING YOUR ANIMAL
        • Begin training your animal to lead once they can stand quietly tied
        • Always lead the animal from the left side
        • Pull the lead rope to get the animal to walk forward and release the tension as soon as the animal begins walking
        • It may be helpful to have someone walk behind the animal (at a safe distance) to teach the animal to walk on
        • Never hit your animal, a tap on the nose or a tug on the halter is enough
        • Once the animal is can be lead consistently on a halter, begin teaching her to carry hold her head at an appropriate level so she looks her best
        • Practice leading for about 20 minutes daily
        • Once the animal can be led without too much tugging, introduce it to the show halter
        See for more information:
        Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
        Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
        Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
        Market Lamb Project
        Teaching to Brace Video

        SHEARING
        • Prior to the show (about 2-3 weeks) clip the lambs entire body
        • A few days before or the day of the show reclip the entire body with a guarded blade or one that will leave more hair
        • Touch up the head, tail, belly, lower legs and udder with a fine tooth blade also shortly before or the day of the show-this does not need to be done weeks ahead
        • The topline of the animal should always be level and strong
          SHOWMANSHIP
          • Showmanship can play a major role in show ring success when showing a lamb or sheep
          • Showmanship involves how well you and your animal work together and how well you are able to present your animal
          • Follow the pattern explained by the judge-this can be slightly different depending on the judge or the ring-there is a general pattern recognized in the resources below
          • Always keep your lamb or sheep between you and the judge
          • Keep your eyes on the judge at all times and enter the ring with a pleasant expression so as to appear confident in the ring
          • Always leave space for judge to walk between you animal and the animal in front of or beside you
          • Use as much as the ring as possible when walking the appropriate pattern
          • Walk at a calm and steady speed
          • General knowledge to know:
            • Sire and dam of your animal
            • Birth date, weight, and nutritional information about your animal
            • Good and bad physical attributes of your animal
            • Parts of the animal
            • General information about the lamb industry
            • Current issues in the lamb industry
            • How to show to minimize the flaws of your animal when showing
            • Things to Avoid when Showing the Lamb or Sheep in the Ring:
            • Going behind the lamb when switching sides in order to keep the lamb or sheep between you and the judge
            • Allowing the lamb or sheep to lay down
            • Showing a dirty lamb or sheep
            • Poor sportsmanship
            • Avoid chewing gum 
            • Avoid wearing excessive makeup or jewelry that could detract from the appearance of the animal
          • Do not give up even after you have been placed because the judge may re-place the class
          See for more information:
          Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
          Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
          Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
          Market Lamb Project
          Sheep Showmanship Video
          Teaching to Brace Video

          CORRECT FEET PLACEMENT/BRACING IN THE SHOW RING
          • The animal should have all four legs placed directly below in a square or natural setting
          • To better show an animals make up the animal can be braced (MARKET)
          • Bracing is simply when the animal pushes on the inside of the exhibitors mid to upper thigh-this can occur when the judge feels and closely inspects the animal or while in profile position (MARKET)
          • Practice, practice and more practice is the best way for you and the animal to learn to master this skill (MARKET)
          FINAL SHOW DAY PREPARATIONS
          • Wash and shear animal 1-2 days or day of the show
          • Wash animal at least 2-3 hours prior to show time to ensure the animal has time to dry, eat, and make final grooming preparations
          • Offer your animal plenty of fresh hay, feed, and water the day of the show so they look their best with the proper fill in their stomach
          • Clean the inside of the animal's ears with a baby wipe or cloth
          • Shine hooves and remove any debris or manure
          • Brush off any dust or straw
          • Apply fly spray
          • Wipe the animal's muzzle
          See for more information:
          Virginia 4-H Market Lamb Project Guide
          Virginia Ewe Flock Project Guide
          Youth Market Lamb Project Guide
          Market Lamb Project
          Show Sheep Shearing Video

          RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING TO THE SHOW
          • Daily Needs
            • Buckets for drinking water and washing 
            • Feed pan, scoops, and feed (hay and grain)
            • Pitch fork and/or shovel, broom, wheel barrow
            • Bedding supplies: straw or shavings
            • Fan (if needed)
            • Rope Halter
          • Show Needs
            • Show boxes and a large container for storage
            • Rope halter, lead ropes
            • Chain collar
            • Water Hose
            • Mild soap or detergent
            • Curry comb and brush
            • Clean rags or baby wipes
            • Fly spray
            • Oils, paints, adhesives, and any other hair products
            • Show halter, show stick, scotch comb
            • Optional items:
              • Blocking chute
              • Clippers, blades, and blade lubricants 
              • Blowers
          • People Needs
            • Thermometer and emergency medical supplies
            • Prep clothes and show clothes-clothes to get dirty when prepping the animal for the show
          • General
            • Health and registration papers
            • Extension cords
            • Various tools that may come in handy:
              • Duct tape, scissors, zip ties
            • Making a checklist can be a good idea
          See for more information:
          Market Lamb Project

          APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
          • Wear a button-down or polo shirt, collared
          • Wear clean jeans, boots, and a belt
          • Tuck your shirt in
          • Shower, brush your teeth, and do your hair
          • Do not wear a hat, t-shirt, hoodie, tennis shoes, flip-flops
          • Do not come in with manure stains on clothing
          TIPS FOR CREATING BUYER'S LETTERS WHEN SELLING PROJECT ANIMALS 
          • A buyer's letter is prepared by a 4-H member to send out to potential buyers before a fair and livestock auction
          • A buyer's letter is written to introduce the 4-H member as well as the animal and to invite potential buyers
          • It is the responsibility of the 4-H members to get new and returning buyers to attend sales
          • In addition to previous buyers, letters can be sent to anyone who would potentially be willing to buy an animal
            • Potential buyer's could include: family friends, relatives, or local members of the community; places your family does business such as local feed stores, restaurants, etc. 
          • Elements to include in the letter:
            • Address the letter to the buyer's name
            • Name, age, and introductory information about the seller
            • Thank the buyer if they have made previous purchases
            • History/Story/Facts of the animal
            • A picture of the animal (the child may include themselves in the picture)
            • Sale date, time, and location
            • How the buyer can participate
            • Contact information for 4-Her, and fair
          • The buyer should be written personable and relative to the age of the 4-H member, with junior members telling the story of the animal and senior members continuing but adding more of a business edge

            See for more information and videos:

            AFTER THE SHOW
            • Thank the judge, superintendent, and show volunteers
            • Rinse your animal within 24 hours to remove products used for the show from the animal's skin
            • Clean equipment and put it away to stay organized between shows
            • Record your showing placing for your own records

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