Rams, Lamb, and Ewe….I mean you! If you have, a passion for animals that come in different shapes, size, and colors consider exploring the 4-H Sheep project. 4-H members have the opportunity to learn basic animal science principles by owning, caring for, and keeping accurate records for the flock. Also, demonstrate a knowledge of sound breeding, nutrition, and management practices. Sheep 4-H project members will learn about the meat and fiber industry as they learn their role in growing food and wool for the United States and the world.
Exploring 4-H Sheep
Exploring 4-H Sheep Spark Activity: Breeds of Sheep
There are more than 40 breeds of sheep in the United States. A breed is a group of animals that have common ancestry. They will look similar and have similar production traits. Sheep can be large or small; and come in different colors like black, white, or red. To learn more about sheep breeds, check out the Website: www.ansi. okstate.edu/breeds.
Can you find an example of each of the following breeds?
- Meat Breed
- Fine Wool Breed
- Coarse Wool Breed
- Hair Breed
- Ewe Breed
- Black-Faced Breed
- Dairy Breed
- Dual-Purpose Breed
4-H Project Levels and Goals
- Nutrition, feeding, and daily care
- Identify breeds
- Parts of the sheep
- Select, care for, and train sheep
- Show at a 4-H exhibition
- Preparing for the show ring
- Vaccinate your sheep
- Learn breeding best practices
- Care for newborn lambs
- Understand digestive processes
- Read feed tags for nutritional content
- Design a breeding program
- Learn to dock and castrate lambs
- Calculate feed rations
- Organize production records
- Manage expense records Identify quality forages Identify sheep industry issues
Put Your Project Into Action
Show Your Skills
- Create a poster showing the costs associated with purchasing, caring for, and showing sheep
- Develop a video demonstrating how to properly groom a sheep for show
- Show at the county fair
- Make an exhibit showing many vaccinations and what they prevent
- Make a blanket or tube for your sheep
- Make a sheep fitting stand
Service and Leadership
- Volunteer your sheep to a petting zoo
- Lead a sheep demonstration for students
- Share lamb recipes at the local grocery store
- Recruit other youth to enroll in the sheep project
- Help plan a showmanship clinic in your county
- Invite club members to tour your farm
- Teach people how to properly handle sheep
Entrepreneurship
- Provide sheeps’ wool to sewers or crafters
- Write a business plan for sheep products, from blankets to meat cuts
- Use sheep’s milk to make and sell soap
Technology Connection
- Robotic sheep shearing
- Robotic milker
- Automatic feeder
- Barn camera-used to observe ewes in labor
- Wool spinning and raw-wool processing
Connecting with a Mentor
- Local Breeder
- Veterinarian
- Community college or college staff
- 4-H alum
- Agriculture Teacher
Events
• 4-H show
• County fair
• State fair
• Jackpot shows
• Illinois Club Lamb Association Circuit
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- LEVEL 1: Rams, Lambs, & You
- LEVEL 2: Shear Delight
- LEVEL 3: Leading the Flock
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
Careers
- Breeder
- Veterinarian
- Agriculture Teacher
- Animal Nutritionist
- Meat Inspector
Start a Conversation
- What is your favorite part about raising sheep?
- What is your goal this project?
- What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
- What is most difficult about raising sheep?
Credits
UC ANR 4-H Youth Development Program (2016). Author: N. Wilson
Steve Austin, Extension Associate for Youth Livestock Programs, University of Kentucky
Iowa State University Extension, 2011, Iowa 4-H Project Hot Sheet.
University of Wyoming-Sheep Project “What’s it all about?”
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!
