Farmers work with animal nutritionists and veterinarians to keep sheep healthy and to manage animal health problems. Young lambs have their tails shortened to protect them from biting insects as well as to keep them cleaner and healthier. Sheep can drink fresh water from drinking bowls, troughs or ponds. They eat hay, grains, grasses and vitamins and minerals when they are too old for the ewe s milk. Fans or open windows and doors bring fresh air into the barn.
Sheep are most comfortable when the temperature is moderate.
Ewes may have one - three lambs at each birth. Single lambs are most common, but twins and triplets are occasional. A ewe may lamb once or twice a year. Eats 1 kg of grain and 1 kg of hay or grass every day. Eats less than 1 kg of grain and more than 2 kg of hay, or grasses a day.