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Sheep Care Guide

Summary

The well-being of their sheep is an important consideration for all sheep producers. This Sheep Care Guide was developed to serve as a reference for the sheep producer using a variety of management and production systems and has been written in recognition of an ethical responsibility for the humane care of animals. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of all aspects of animal care; supplemental information on such topics as breeding, feeding, housing, predation, health, and management is available in other publications including those listed in the References section. An attempt has been made to provide information about sheep care practices which are based on research findings and which are consistent with a program of quality assurance that is recommended by the American Sheep Industry Association. The American Sheep Industry Association recognizes that each sheep producer’s professional judgment, experience, and training are key factors in providing animal care. Interaction between sheep and their physical environment, as well as the producer’s management style, are among the factors that may determine proper animal care. Awareness of animal wellbeing concerns and the application of educational programs help producers continue to improve their animal care skills. The American Sheep Industry Association encourages and supports scientific research to identify new ways to minimize undesirable animal stress and to improve the health and wellbeing of sheep, consistent with their commitment to continuous improvement