Description and characteristics of Hampshire sheep, rules of keeping
The Hampshire sheep breed has certain characteristics. These are semi-fine-wool animals that belong to the meat-wool direction. Sheep of this breed are bred in different countries, including Russia. The animals are characterized by a strong constitution and a massive body. It is wide and deep, with coarse bones. For pets to be successful, it is important to take proper care of them.
Description and characteristics of the Hampshire sheep
The Hampshire breed of sheep belongs to the meat and wool direction. It was bred in the UK. This happened in the counties of Wiltshire, Hampshire and other regions in the early nineteenth century. The breed is based on coarse-wooled meat and local dark-headed sheep and Southdown animals. As a result, it was possible to obtain large sheep, which are distinguished by a wide and deep body. They are hornless. These animals are characterized by high maturity parameters and excellent meat forms.
The live weight of rams is 94-104 kilograms, of queens - 58-63. Fertility parameters are 115-130 lambs per 100 queens. From 1 animal it is possible to get 7 kilograms of wool. Moreover, the length of the wool is 7-8 centimeters. It is mainly used to make knitwear. Sheep of this breed are grown in different countries of the world - they are widespread in the USA, Germany, Great Britain.
Advantages and disadvantages
Hampshire sheep have a number of advantages. The main advantages of animals include the following:
- excellent parameters of early maturity of lambs;
- high percentage of wool yield after washing;
- easy adaptation to different climatic conditions;
- fast development.
The only drawback of animals is not too high fertility. This disadvantage should be considered before starting animal breeding.
Requirements for maintenance and care
Sheep are considered very obedient animals, which are characterized by a pronounced herd instinct. In the summer, it is recommended to graze them on pastures. In the winter season, animals need an insulated room. It should provide full ventilation.
At the same time, it is important to insulate the walls, make a feeder, and organize a full-fledged ventilation system. It is important to ensure that the room temperature is at least +6 degrees. During the lambing period, the temperature should be at least +15 degrees.
The weak point in sheep is the hooves. Therefore, it is recommended to make the floor in the room a plank. From above it should be covered with straw bedding. Regular cleaning and trimming of the hooves is essential. If this is not done, there is a high probability of developing joint problems.
Feeding
In the summertime, nutritional problems for sheep usually do not arise if there is enough pasture around. It is recommended to pay special attention to feeding animals in winter. At this time, it is permissible to use rough varieties of feed, which should be harvested from the summer. Sometimes sheep even eat dry foliage, which farmers use as bedding.
To keep the sheep calm in winter, they need to be fed 3-4 times a day. It is recommended to do this outdoors in fine weather. In addition to hay, silage and straw should be used for feeding. It is also permissible to include root crops in the diet of sheep. It is advisable to feed the sheep food at the same time. Breeders need more care. You should definitely add oats and potatoes to their food. At the same time, the hay must be of high quality.
How to breed a breed
Lambing in these sheep occurs once a year. It is worth bringing animals together during the hunt, which lasts 18-36 hours. A sheep is capable of giving birth as early as 6-8 months. However, the first time it is best to cover it at 1 year.
The dry period is about 5 months. During this time, the sheep need good nutrition and proper care. Fertilization is best done so that the lamb is born in winter. In this case, by the beginning of pasture feeding, the cubs will feed on greens. This will allow them to gain a decent body weight by the fall.
During the second part of pregnancy and lactation, sheep require increased nutrition. However, the diet should not contain sour silage or other foods that can provoke fermentation in the body. During pregnancy, sheep should be given the following types of food:
- hay;
- roots;
- compound feed.
In the first week, lambs should be fed with breast milk. Such food fully saturates their body with valuable substances. Already for 2-3 weeks, it is permissible to introduce carrots and small hay into the diet. It is also worth giving vitamins to animals. By the 4th month, it is permissible to graze lambs on pastures separate from the mother.
What are they sick with?
To keep the sheep from getting sick, they need proper nutrition and certain living conditions. It is important that the animals remain well-fed and get the maximum vitamins from their food. In summer, the sheep are disturbed by insects. They not only bite them, but also leave an infection in the damaged areas.
Therefore, the livestock should be systematically inspected for the presence of damaged areas. If they are identified, treatment with disinfecting substances is required - it is better to use iodine.
To avoid the development of various pathologies of an infectious nature, it is recommended to vaccinate. It is important to do this under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The Hampshire sheep breed is very popular with farmers. These animals are a source of quality meat and wool. For pets to be productive, they should be properly cared for. Balanced and high-quality nutrition is also important.
