Sheep

Ovis aries

Sheep, Ovis aries, are domesticated ruminants developed over thousands of years for wool, meat, milk, hides, land management, and cultural uses. They range from fine-wool Merinos to hardy hill sheep, dairy breeds, hair sheep, and regionally adapted landraces. Most are flock animals with strong grazing instincts, seasonal or managed breeding patterns, and breed traits shaped by climate, terrain, parasite pressure, and production goals.

Good sheep management depends on pasture planning, clean water, mineral balance, hoof care, parasite control, lambing supervision, predator protection, and shearing or hair-shedding needs. Flock records are practical tools for tracking parentage, lambing outcomes, fleece quality, milk yield, treatments, and culling decisions. Smallholders, farms, research flocks, and conservation breeders often choose sheep by matching the breed to local forage, weather, handling facilities, and market or preservation goals.