Calhoun County Sheep and Goat Clinic Pt. 1

Calhoun County Sheep and Goat Clinic Pt. 1Charles Seely4-H and Youth Development CoordinatorCalhoun County

Before Making CommitmentCome up with list of goals

Participate or Compete?

This is a FAMILY project!

Determine amount of money you are comfortable spending

Facilities and EquipmentDo not need anything elaborate

Allow enough pen space for sheep/goat to move around (6ft x 10ft)Wire hog panels are perfect to use

Make sure the pen is tall enough so the sheep/goat cannot jump out

Mostly/Partially covered

Ensure proper drainage

Facilities and EquipmentAllow for sheep/goats to eat separately

Keep water buckets off ground by clipping water bucket to wire panel

NO RAMPS OR INCLINES IN PENS!

Other Equipment NeededFeedersRope Halters/ ChainsWater BucketsDewormerHoof TrimmersDrench GunMuzzleMedicinesAccess to scalesFansSyringes/Needles

The Stool of SuccessLike a stool, having success with an animal project stands on 3 legsSelectionGood ProgramShowmanship Skills

If one of these 3 legs is shorter or gets knocked off, the stool wont stand and success will be much harder to achieve!

Choosing a BreederDetermine how far you are willing to travel

Check out breeder websiteswww.showgoatpage.comwww.clublambpage.com

Attend a sale or purchase private treaty?

Establishing relationshipsSelectionPrioritiesAgeMuscleStructureDesignRib Shape

Labeling the Parts

MuzzleLoinRackTop of ShoulderPasternKneeFore-armChest FloorPoint of ShoulderNeckLegDockHipFlankFore-ribHindsaddleHockLower LegParts of a Goat

Fore FlankRear FlankPasternHockStifleLegRackLoinHipKneeAgeMaturityAnimals that are shown over 13 months become too mature in their look and will likely lose their milk teeth.Must have milk teeth Ideal birth months:Sheep approx. 8-10 months: January to 1st of MarchGoats approx. 8-10 months: January to 1st of March

AgeMeeting minimum and maximum weight requirements (goats)Goats 65-120 lbsSheep must weigh at least 80 lbsMilk Teeth vs. Yearling Teeth

Mouth with Milk Teeth IntactMouth with Yearling TeethMuscleExtremely Important!

Start evaluation of muscling at ground

Wide chested (Especially Goats)

Wider tracking the better

Want them to be big down their top

Want them to be as big hipped and as big from behind as we can

Heavy muscled animals will always beat light muscled animals!Muscle - Goats

Muscle - Sheep

Muscle - Sheep

StructureMaking sure the skeleton is put together correctly, is flexible, and functional

If a sheep/goat has a minor structural flaw when young, it will continue to get worse with age and weight gain

Many times overlooked by feeders

Structure - Sheep

Study the angles to the skeletonStructure - Sheep

Structure - Goats

Structure - Goats

Feet and Leg Structure Imperfections

Cow HockedBow LeggedToed OutTry your best to avoid any structural imperfections when selecting. They will only get more apparent with age and weight!DesignDo they take a pretty picture from the side?

Evaluated from the side profile

Amount of fillCan be altered last month of program

First Impression

Relates to structure

Nice Designed Market Sheep

Elevated in ChestLevel ToppedForeflank and Rearflank depth equalBig Footed/ Big BonedNeck ties in at top of shoulderImpeccable in structureNice Designed Market Goat

Level Topped Almost nearly level hipForeflank and rearflank are equal in depthNeck comes right out of top of shoulderElevated chest floor

Nice Designed Lamb Prospects

Nice Balanced Goat Prospects

Rib ShapeHas become very important the last ten years

Dictates how wide they will be across rackLays foundation for muscle deposition over rack

Affects look from the side

Concerned with how round/ how much shape the ribcage has just behind the shoulder

Rib ShapeFlat Rib ShapeRound Rib ShapeWhich would have the better foundation to lay muscle down on through the rack?Rib Shape

Rib ShapeAlso affects look from the side

Flatter RibbedUsually deeper chested, poorer balanced

Rounder RibbedUsually more elevated chest floor, more attractive from side

Selection Wrap UpMuscle

Structure

Balance

Age

Rib Shape

Ask questions!!

Questions to Ask Breeder After PurchasingWhen was the last deworming?

Do they need a CD/T (Overeaters) shot?

What type of feed are they on?

What type of feed he/she recommends

After Getting Your Project HomeHave fresh, clean water

Gradually switch to your desired feed

Worm if needed, CD/T if needed

Do not begin training your project to show!

Let project become acclimated to new environment for 1-2 weeks

If sheep is long stapled, shearAfter AcclimationHalter Breaking/ Chain breakingEasier when they are smallerCooler to do it later in evening

Clip goats if long haired

DO NOT BEGIN EXERCISING !!

Halter Breaking/ Chain BreakingTwo person jobExhibitor controlling animalAdult helping exhibitor

May take two weeks- Month

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

Easier to accomplish when animals are smaller than when they are over 100 lbs

Sheep After sheep are comfortable on halter, begin hand walking themTraining To Pose/BraceTwo person job for beginning showmen

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

Try backing off a ledge, trailer, back into water

If not driving, give tail a yank, or give dock a slight push

Invest in a large mirror, allows exhibitor to see what project looks like when on the poseShowmanship AdviceIf there is a TJLA jackpot show around, go watchWatch better showmenGives you an idea of what a finished sheep/goat should look likeGives you opportunity to learnAsk successful families questionswww.theshowbox.comFeedCost

Personal Preference

AvailabilityMelstan Acco FeedBayou Feed Barn Purina Products

Projects will consume 2.5 - 3% of their BW

Lamb FeedsShowmaster Show Lamb 18% Textured

Purina Honor 15% Protein18% Protein

Show-Tec15.5% Protein18% Protein

Make sure you call feed store and let them know what you need before you bring project home!Goat FeedsShow Rite Glen Martin Grand Drive 17% Protein

ShowmasterShow Goat Sales Edge 18% ProteinShow Goat Developer 16% Developer

MoormansShowTec Elite Goat 17% Protein

Purina HonorExclamation 16% Protein/ 4% FatImpulse R20 16% Protein/ 3%Fat

SupplementsThere is no magic potion that turns a bad animal into a great one!Good feed, clean water, TLC

Two TypesFat SupplementsProtein SupplementsFat SupplementsProducts that are high in fats to add condition to give a fresh handle and smooth appearanceShowmaster PowerPhatHonor Show Chow High Octane Power FuelMoormans Fast FatShow Rite Fat-N-Fluffy

Use with caution!

Protein SupplementsHigh Protein Supplements that will add amino acids to diet and help burn fat if needed.Moormans Fast Forward Mineral

Purina Honor High Octane Champion Drive; Fitter 35 (Use only if you have one that is overconditioned)

USE WITH CAUTION

FeedingThe goal of the feeding program is to allow animal to reach genetic potential

Try to feed at least twice a day, 12 hours apart

Alfalfa Hay

45-60 days from show, have animal slightly over-conditioned to start exercising

Health and CareWatch at Feeding Time

DewormingApproximately every 28dSafeguard, Cydectin, Valbazen

Urinary CalculiWatch in MorningComparable to Kidney Stones Keep plenty of fresh waterCa:P ratioVinegar in waterAmmonium Chloride in Feed

Health and CareFoot RotBathe foot in zinc sulphateKeep hooves trimmedKeep pens dry

ScoursBack off feedSupplement more fiber (Coastal Hay)Scour HaltKaopectin (Similar to Pepto)Health and CareRunny NoseLA 200 -1cc/50lbs of BWWill usually see this in sheep and goats after periods of heavy rain

CoccidiosisSymptoms Blood in StoolCaused by CoccidiaTreat with Corrid in water

Health and CarePink EyeMore prevalent in goatsWater running down cheek from eyeEye will get a glossy blue colorTreatmentSquirt LA-200/ Penicillin in bottom eyelidInject animal with LA-200 intramuscularly in neck

Health and CareSoremouthBlisters show up around mouthNo known treatmentLet run its course

No amount of money can replace hard work, TLC, and a great program!Any Questions?