|
 Parts, Parts, Parts
For starters,you may be interested to know that sheep are born with long tails.
For purpose of cleanliness, the tails are surgically shortened (docked) shortly after birth. In some parts of the world, tails are left undocked.
The short tails are less likely to become soiled with manure and are therefore, less likely to promote local infections and fly strike
| Sheep have 2 digits on each foot. The hooves grow like fingernails and need to be trimmed every few months to maintain normal conformation. |
 |
Sheep are ruminants. This means that they have four parts to their upper digestive tract (people only have one-the stomach) and they chew their cud. This means that they chew and swallow their food and then bring it back up into their months to chew and swallow again. Yuck!
Chewing cud is important, however, because it allows them to digest grass and hay. Do you know what other kinds of animals are ruminants?
Answer: Cows, goats, deer, buffalo and even reindeer. |
 |
| Sheep are often set up on their rumps for restraint during procedures such as foot trimming and shearing. |
 |
|
| Wooly Wooly >> |
|
^ Top
of page |
|
Animal Doc | Fun Facts About Sheep