Youth will learn how to select a project lamb, properly care for the animal, and prepare the animal for show. Youth will also learn about sheep products and by-products. Youth will practice presenting oral reasons, determine yield grades, compare digestive systems, explore a feed tag, practice management practices, and deliver a lamb.
Please note there are age restrictions on this project area:
Youth must be 8 by October 1st of the current 4-H year to be eligible for:
- Competitive situations, such as livestock shows or sales
- Enrollment in large animal projects, including Beef, Dairy, Goat, Horse, Sheep, Alpaca/Llama, and Swine
- Enrollment in shooting sports projects
- Enrollment in projects using motorized vehicles
- Enrollment in food preservation projects
Cloverbuds, 4-H youth ages 5-7, may participate in a number of age-appropriate activities, though they may not participate in competitive events.
If you have questions about eligibility please, contact your county 4-H coordinator.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Select, feed, and house a market lamb
- Select, care for, fit, show, breed, and market sheep
- Fit and show a lamb
- Evaluate a carcass
- Control insects and parasites
- Market wool
4-H Sheep Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online
In Sheep 1, youth will learn how to select a project lamb, properly care for the animal, and prepare the animal for show. Youth will also learn about sheep products and byproducts.
In Sheep 2, youth will practice presenting oral reasons, determine yield grades, compare digestive systems, explore a feed tag, practice management practices, and deliver a lamb.
In Sheep 3, youth learn about judging, genetics and breeding, marketing a sheep product, and career paths.
Instructions for skillathons, bingo, pyramid, developing management calendars and more activities.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
C0096E – Individual Ewe Record
Used by members in 4-H sheep projects to keep records on and evaluate each ewe in the flock.
C0728E – Market Livestock Record
Worksheets for keeping track of costs and returns on 4-H market livestock projects.
C0729E – Breeding Livestock Record
Worksheet for keeping track of costs and returns on 4-H breeding livestock projects.
C0914E – Animal Science Record
Sheet that records inventory, expenses, and income from an animal science project.
C1052E – Producer Affidavit & Market Lamb Health Record
Youth producers will record all relevant health information for their market lambs on this form. A sample form includes instructions for completing the form.
C1113E – Supplemental Animal Affidavit & Health Record
A supplemental sheet to go with the 4-H health forms for individuals that need to record more treatments, etc.
EM3125 – 4-H Member Manual: Advanced Livestock Science
NEEC20594 – Livestock Judging Guide
PNW679 – Judging Sheep and Oral Reasons
This publication will help youth and beginning sheep producers to understand the four basic criteria for selecting a sheep animal.
For adult helpers and club leaders
EB1462E – Washington Lamb of Merit
For info on purpose of the program, requirements, changes in merit requirements, placement of carcasses, and procedure and definition of terms. .
EM4789E – Teaching 4-H Oral Reasons
Teaches leaders how to help 4-H members give oral reasons for judging items and exhibits. Emphasizes knowledge and gives steps for oral reasoning process.
PNW614 – Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest
The comprehensive resource for anyone who manages livestock on pastures in the Northwest, this 208-page book offers pasture managers information and tools to enable their pastures and their livestock to reach their maximum production potentials.
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Livestock E-Quiz – Welcome to the Livestock E-Quiz! This web site was created by the University of Illinois Extension to help you learn more about beef, dairy, horses, poultry, sheep, and forages.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Washington State Sheep Producers
Animals for Food & Performance – Sheep – Washington State University
Washington State Shearing School – Washington State University
This annual shearing school has been offered to individuals seeking experience and knowledge about shearing, wool evaluation, and sheep production since 1977. In addition to teaching the skills of shearing and associated equipment information and care, students learn various aspects of wool marketing and production and sheep husbandry. Students that complete the WSSP Shearing School not only provide a service to sheep producers in the Pacific Northwest, but they also become informed resources with the ability to share proper shearing techniques and wool handling, and the care and marketing of the animals and their wool. With a state-of-the-art sheep shearing trailer, experienced instructors, and over 500 head of sheep to shear, this is a world-class commercial sheep shearing school.
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
From Higher Education Institutions
What Does it Mean to Be a Sheep? – University of California (PDF)
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
The purpose of Sheep 101 is to teach 4-H and FFA members, students, teachers, beginning shepherds, and the general public about sheep, their products, how they are raised, and their contributions to mankind. The site uses simple language and pictures to illustrate the various topics.
American Sheep Industry Association
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is the national organization representing the interests of more than 100,000 sheep producers located throughout the U.S. From East to West, pasture-based flocks to range operations, ASI works to represent the interests of all producers.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
Veterinary Science Curriculum Collection