The domestic sheep (Ovis aries), the most common species of the sheep genus (Ovis), is a woolly ruminant quadruped which probably descends from the wild mouflon of south-central and south-west Asia. Sheep breeders refer to female sheep as ewes, intact males as rams, castrated males as wethers, yearlings as hoggets, and younger sheep as lambs. In sheep husbandry, a group of sheep is called a flock or mob.
There are many breeds of sheep, but these are generally sub-classable as: wool class, hair class and sheep meat breeds.
Farmers develop wool breeds for superior wool quantity and quality (fineness of fibers), wool staple length and degree of crimp in the fiber. Major wool breeds include Merino, Rambouillet, Romney and Lincoln.
More on [ Domestic sheep ]
Sheep :: Livestock
Ovis :: Caprinae

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Genetics for Sheep Breeders - Basic principles for flock improvement. Includes explanations of common genetic terms.
Icelandic Sheep Color and Pattern Genetics - Color and pattern genetic theory with pattern and color charts in order of dominance.
Sheep Reproduction and Genetics - Links to articles and fact sheets from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
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