Style, structure and sheep - what you need to know

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What do we need to know about sheep's conformation and style? What exactly do we mean when we say that a sheep has style? In this episode we explore what you need to know!

Conformation is the anatomy and skeletal function of a sheep. It impacts the sheep’s health, adaptability, longevity, and productivity. Conformation or structural correctness is made up of the following three aspects:

· The ‘Five Ts’ assessment methodology to visually and mentally summarise an animal or compare groups at a distance before even touching them

· Soundness, structure, balance plus breed traits

· Visual confirmation scoring the animal from 1-5. 1=best 5=worst

The Five Ts

The ‘Five Ts’ assessment methodology to visually and mentally summarise an animal or compare groups at a distance before even touching them.

o Toes - pasterns, fetlock, knees, hocks and leg profile

o Teeth - at lip / mouth profile, jawline

o Testicles - two well balance, noticeable, full and in a firm scrotum.

o Teats - two, well placed with a slight outward tendency attached to a symmetrical udder not always seen in wool sheep but should be noticeable in short wool ewes

o Type - the breed of animal. Knowledge of the unique breed standard features is also required

Soundness

A sheep should be able to move and subsist painlessly, efficiently, and productively throughout its life. The sheep should:

· Be in good condition and healthy (environmental consideration needs to be given here too)

· Have sound feet

· Stand squarely

· Have all body parts in correct position, number, and condition especially the Five Ts as above

Structure

Structure is the way a sheep’s body parts are put together or arranged to form the whole animal.

Structural correctness is important for movement, fertility and longevity. For rams it is crucial for them to be able to mount and impregnate ewes plus potentially passing on genetic traits that maintain or enhance physical structure. For a ewe being structurally correct allows her to get pregnant, carry lambs full term, birth lambs and feed and wean them. Again, with the expectation is that her lambs will maintain or enhance genetic traits like femininity, udder development and teat placement.

Structural correctness includes:

· Growth potential

· Volume/capacity or depth of body

· Condition of the sheep (this is more environmental)

· Legs

· Back

· Neck

· Shoulder

· Eye socket

Balance and Style

Balance in sheep deals with having appropriate portions of:

1. Body width
2. Body depth
3. Body length

Sheep should be wide and deep at the rump and tight and trim through the forequarter with the largest volume of weight in the leg and loin.

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