Understanding The History", "Much Ado About Mutton, but Not in These Parts", "Fifth Report on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union", "A second-generation linkage map of the sheep genome", "Using comparative genomics to reorder the human genome sequence into a virtual sheep genome", "Worm turns sheep clone to "good" fat: China scientists", "In a Sheep Population, Researchers Find a Fitness Gene", "Darker black sheep's decline is in the genes", "The volume of a sexually dimorphic nucleus in the ovine medial preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus varies with sexual partner preference", "Animal models of human cardiovascular disease, heart failure and hypertrophy", "The pregnant sheep as a model for human pregnancy", "Animal models for small for gestational age and fetal programming of adult disease", https://archive.org/details/completeguidetoh00foxduoft, "Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja) – the festival of sacrifice", "Eid Festival Around The World – Graphic photos", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sheep&oldid=980861293, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Old English (ca. Keds are blood-sucking parasites that cause general malnutrition and decreased productivity, but are not fatal. [134], Despite the falling demand and price for sheep products in many markets, sheep have distinct economic advantages when compared with other livestock. [22][58], Flock behaviour in sheep is generally only exhibited in groups of four or more sheep; fewer sheep may not react as expected when alone or with few other sheep. In 60 Merinos, visual fields ranged from 219.1° to 303.0°, averaging 269.9°, and the binocular field ranged from 8.9° to 77.7°, averaging 47.5°; 36% of the measurements were limited by wool,[76] although photographs of the experiments indicate that only limited facial wool regrowth had occurred since shearing. The rough edges of the fleece are trimmed and it is checked by a wool classer who grades it according to its quality. [60][61], Sheep establish a dominance hierarchy through fighting, threats and competitiveness. [40] Most sheep are seasonal breeders, although some are able to breed year-round. When sheep graze, vegetation is chewed into a mass called a bolus, which is then passed into the rumen, via the reticulum. Organizations such as PETA campaigned against the study, accusing scientists of trying to cure homosexuality in the sheep. [156], In the study of natural selection, the population of Soay sheep that remain on the island of Hirta have been used to explore the relation of body size and coloration to reproductive success. [51], Sheep follow a diurnal pattern of activity, feeding from dawn to dusk, stopping sporadically to rest and chew their cud. Visual field, restricted vision and sheep movement in laneways. However, they are separate species, so hybrids rarely occur, and are always infertile. [13] Ancient Romans kept sheep on a wide scale, and were an important agent in the spread of sheep raising. [46], Like all ruminants, sheep have a complex digestive system composed of four chambers, allowing them to break down cellulose from stems, leaves, and seed hulls into simpler carbohydrates. Ethol.

Jainudeen, M. R. et al. [142] Throughout modern history, "mutton" has been limited to the meat of mature sheep usually at least two years of age; "lamb" is used for that of immature sheep less than a year. Reproduction in farm animals.