What are the precautions for introducing breeding stock in mutton sheep farming
They must be introduced from qualified farms, strictly in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, from non-epidemic areas. The breeding sheep farms from which they are introduced must have a breeding livestock and poultry production and operation license and an animal epidemic prevention certificate, and the introduced breeding sheep must have a quarantine certificate and pedigree records.
Age identification: determine the age of introduced sheep by their teeth. The teeth of young sheep are white and relatively small, while those of adult sheep are yellow and relatively large. To determine a sheep's age by its teeth, mainly look at the 4 pairs of incisors on the lower jaw: the middle pair are the central incisors, the ones on both sides of the central incisors are the middle incisors, the ones further outward are the lateral middle incisors, and the outermost pair are the corner incisors. At 1.5 years of age, the milk incisors are replaced by permanent incisors; at 2 to 2.5 years, the middle incisors are replaced; at 3 years, the lateral middle incisors are replaced; at 4 years, the corner incisors are replaced; after 5 years, it can be judged according to the size of the gaps between the teeth, the degree of tooth wear and the condition of the teeth; after 6 years, the gums are sunken, the teeth slant forward, and the crowns become narrow and small; from 7 to 9 years, the tooth roots become loose and fall out one after another.
Observe the health status of the sheep: judge the purity of the breed and the health status according to the sheep's body type, appearance, fat condition and other characteristics. Healthy sheep are lively and active, with bright and spirited eyes, glossy wool, a strong appetite, normal breathing and body temperature, and strong and powerful limbs; sick sheep have scattered, rough and lusterless wool, dull eyes, stand still, have no appetite, rapid breathing, elevated body temperature, and diseases on the body surface and limbs.
Pay attention to transport safety: transport vehicles should be thoroughly disinfected, and during loading and transport the introduced sheep should not come into contact with cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle.
After isolation, mix with the flock: after introduction, they should be raised in isolation for 20 to 30 days, during which they should be observed and quarantined, and only after being confirmed healthy can they be raised together with the flock.