How to Select Breeding Ewes?

For sheep farmers, selecting breeding ewes is not only important in terms of husbandry management but also crucial during the selection process. If the purchased breeding ewes are infertile, it can cause significant losses to the farm. So, how should breeding ewes be selected? Let's take a look.

How to Select Breeding Ewes?

1. Eye Inspection: The condition of a ewe's body can also be observed from its eyes. Healthy ewes have moist eyeballs, bright and shiny eyes, usually in light yellow or pinkish color. Swollen, red, dull, or lackluster eyes indicate potential illness.

2. Appearance: Healthy ewes should appear lively and energetic with clear, bright eyes, free from signs of inflammation or discharge. Their coats should be shiny, smooth, without shedding, peeling, or other skin conditions. Ewes with small stature, narrow jaws, or unkempt appearance should be avoided.

3. Oral Examination: The condition of a ewe's mouth and teeth is also a criterion for assessing its health. Healthy ewes should have clean, tidy teeth and be able to chew food normally. Signs such as tooth wear, loss, or oral odor indicate poor health.

4. Teeth Inspection: Ideally, the age of selected ewes should be around two to three years old, which can be determined by examining their teeth. Ewes should have around four teeth.

5. Udder Examination: A healthy ewe's udder should be full and elastic, without any lumps upon palpation, with large nipples.

6. Buttock Observation: The buttocks of a ewe should be wide, which is conducive to giving birth. To ensure the well-being of breeding ewes, we can use supplements such as "Moyan Tai Bao" and "Duo Wei Tai Bao" for their health care.

7. Tail Examination: The tail of a ewe also reflects its health status. If the tail is slightly raised or kept vertical, it may indicate good health. However, abnormal tail positions or drooping tails suggest health issues.

8. Weight Measurement: Ewes should not be too heavy or too thin, as both extremes can negatively impact reproduction. When selecting ewes, their weight should be at least 60 pounds.

In summary, the selection of breeding ewes should consider various factors such as appearance, eyes, oral cavity, teeth, udders, buttocks, tail, and weight. Choose ewes with strong reproductive capabilities and maternal instincts.