# Sheep Handling Facilities: Designing a Low-Stress Working System ## Key Takeaways - Sheep handling facilities must be designed to accommodate prey animal instincts, prioritizing movement from dark to light and avoiding dead ends or sharp contrasts, which can trigger flight responses and balking. - A circular or curved flow from a crowd pen into a single-file race, featuring solid sides at sheep eye level (minimum 4 feet high), is crucial for reducing spooking and maintaining a predictable, forward movement. - The working race width should be calibrated to breed size, typically 18 to 24 inches, to prevent sheep from turning around, while a well-designed crowd pen with a solid, forward-swinging gate is essential for gently funneling animals into the race. - Facilities should minimize sudden loud noises and incorporate non-slip flooring (roughened concrete or well-drained dirt) to prevent panic and injury, as sheep possess good long-term memory for negative handling experiences. - Restraint devices like sheep chairs or tilt tables are necessary for tasks requiring individual animal immobility, such as foot trimming or veterinary procedures, with sheep chairs generally being less stressful for routine health work. - Budgeting for the entire system, including concrete, gates, panels, and shade, is critical, and testing the flow with temporary panels before permanent construction can identify and rectify bottlenecks. --- Every sheep producer eventually faces the same reality: the day will come when you must catch, sort, vaccinate, trim feet, or load an animal for transport. How well that day goes depends almost entirely on the facilities you have in place before you need them. This guide covers the full planning process for sheep handling facilities, from understanding sheep behavior and vision to laying out a working pen, building a race, and choosing a correct-sized squeeze chute. It is written for new and expanding sheep operations, homesteaders, and small commercial flocks who want to build or improve their handling system without guessing. ## At a Glance - **Plan for behavior first.** Sheep move from dark to light, follow herd mates, and refuse to enter dead ends or glaring contrasts. Design every turn and wall with these instincts in mind. - **The ideal layout is a circle.** A circular or curved flow from the gathering pen into a single-file race eliminates sharp corners and keeps sheep moving forward. - **Solid sides beat open fencing.** Solid panels at sheep eye level reduce spooking and create a calmer, more predictable flow. - **The working race should be 18 to 24 inches wide.** Width depends on breed size and whether you need to separate lambs from ewes. - **A crowd pen is the engine of the system.** It should hold one full batch of sheep and taper toward the race entrance with a solid, hinged gate you can push forward. - **Match the squeeze to your tasks.** If you do routine health work, buy a properly sized sheep chair or tilt table. If you only vaccinate and load, a well-designed race may be enough. - **Budget for the whole system, not just the chute.** Concrete, gates, panels, and shade add up quickly. A functional setup for 50 ewes can be built for a few thousand dollars if you do the work yourself. - **Test the flow before you pour concrete.** Use temporary panels and move a few sheep through the layout to find the bottlenecks. ## Understanding Why Sheep React the Way They Do Sheep are prey animals. Their entire nervous system is wired to detect and flee from threats. They do not think about a handling system the way a person does. They react to what they see, hear, and feel in the moment. If you understand their sensory world, you can design a facility that works with their instincts instead of fighting them. ### Vision and Light Sheep have wide-set eyes on the sides of their heads. This gives them a nearly 360 degree field of vision, but it also means they have a blind spot directly behind them and a very narrow band of binocular vision directly in front of their nose. They cannot see depth well directly ahead. This is why a sheep will often balk at a shadow or a change in surface color on the ground. That shadow looks like a hole or a drop-off to them. Sheep also have excellent sensitivity to light and dark contrast. They will naturally move from a darker area toward a brighter area, provided the bright area is not blinding. A race that opens into bright sunlight is inviting. A race that opens into a dark shed with a glaring light at the end is not. The single most common design mistake in sheep facilities is placing the race exit so the sheep must walk toward a blinding light or through a harsh shadow line. ### Flight Zone and Point of Balance Every sheep has an invisible personal space bubble called the flight zone. When a person enters that zone, the sheep moves away. The size of the zone depends on how tame the sheep are. A well-handled ewe might have a flight zone of only a few feet. A range ewe that rarely sees people might have a flight zone of 30 feet or more. The point of balance is located at the sheep's shoulder. If you stand behind the point of balance, the sheep moves forward. If you stand in front of it, the sheep backs up or turns. In a well-designed handling system, you should rarely need to enter the flight zone at all. The race and crowd pen do the work for you. When you do need to move a sheep, you position yourself at the correct point relative to the point of balance and let the animal's instinct do the rest. ### Hearing and Noise Sheep have sensitive hearing in a range similar to humans, but they are easily startled by sudden loud noises. Metal gates clanging, dogs barking, and people yelling all create panic. A panicked sheep will try to climb walls or jump fences, which can cause injury. Design your facility to minimize noise. Use rubber snubbers on gates, avoid metal-to-metal contact where possible, and establish a rule that no one yells in the handling area. ### Memory and Learning Sheep have good long-term memory for negative experiences. A single bad handling event can make sheep refuse to enter a facility for years. This is why the first few times you move sheep through a new system matter so much. If the first experience is calm and uneventful, the sheep will learn that the race is not a threat. If the first experience involves electric prods, loud noise, or a dog, you will fight that memory every time you work the flock. The practical takeaway is simple: build the facility right the first time, move sheep slowly, and never rush the process. ## The Core Layout: Working Pen, Crowd Pen, and Race Every sheep handling system, no matter how simple or elaborate, follows the same basic flow. Sheep move from a large gathering area into a smaller working pen, then into a crowd pen, then single file into a race. From the race they either exit back to pasture, enter a squeeze chute for treatment, or load onto a truck. ### The Gathering or Holding Pen This is the large area where the flock waits before processing. It should be big enough that sheep do not feel crowded while they wait. A good rule of thumb is 10 to 15 square feet per ewe for short holding periods. If sheep will be held for several hours, provide more space, shade, and water. The holding pen should connect directly to the field or pasture through a wide gate. A 10 to 12 foot gate is ideal because it lets several sheep pass at once and reduces the bottleneck at the entry point. The holding pen should also have a solid connection to the working pen so you can move the entire flock in one or two batches without sorting. ### The Working Pen The working pen is the intermediate area where you sort sheep into smaller groups. It should hold no more than 10 to 15 sheep at a time for a small operation. If you are processing 100 ewes, you will work in batches. A working pen that is too large makes it hard to keep sheep moving toward the race. A working pen that is too small creates stress and overcrowding. The working pen should be roughly square or slightly rectangular, about 12 to 16 feet on each side for a small flock. It needs a solid gate connecting to the holding pen, a solid gate connecting to the crowd pen, and ideally a separate exit gate so you can release sorted sheep back to pasture without pushing them through the race. Round working pens work better than square ones because they eliminate corners where sheep bunch up. If you cannot build a round pen, build an octagon or a square with rounded corner panels. The goal is to give sheep a natural circular flow with no dead ends. ### The Crowd Pen The crowd pen is the funnel that pushes sheep into the race. It is the most important part of the system. A well-designed crowd pen uses a solid, hinged gate that you can swing forward to gently push sheep toward the race entrance. This gate is sometimes called a crowding gate or a sweep gate. The crowd pen should hold one full batch of sheep, usually 8 to 12 for a small operation. It should be shaped like a wedge or a half-circle that tapers toward the race entrance. The race entrance should be offset to one side, not in the center of the straight wall. This offset creates a natural turning motion that encourages sheep to enter. The crowding gate should be solid so sheep cannot see through it. When you swing the gate forward, the sheep see a solid wall moving toward them and they move away from it, which pushes them into the race. If the gate is made of open panels, sheep will try to push through it or turn back. ### The Race The race, also called a chute or alley, is the single-file lane that leads from the crowd pen to the working area. It is the backbone of the entire system. A well-built race makes every handling task easier. A poorly built race makes everything harder and more dangerous. The race should be 18 to 24 inches wide. The exact width depends on your breed and the size of your sheep. A narrow race for small ewes might be 16 inches. A race for large meat breeds like Suffolk or Hampshire might need to be 24 inches. The goal is to let sheep walk through single file without being able to turn around. If the race is too wide, sheep will turn and try to go back. If it is too narrow, sheep will get stuck and panic. The race should be at least 16 feet long, and 20 to 30 feet is better. A longer race gives you time to work. You can stand beside the race and vaccinate, check condition, or apply fly strike treatment as sheep walk past. A longer race also creates a visual tunnel effect that encourages sheep to keep moving forward. The sides of the race should be solid to a height of at least 4 feet. Sheep should not be able to see through the sides. This is one of the most important design principles in low stress sheep handling. When sheep cannot see out, they focus on the sheep ahead of them and keep moving. When they can see through the sides, they try to escape or balk. The floor of the race should be non-slip. Concrete is fine if it is roughened or grooved. Dirt is acceptable if it is well drained and not muddy. Never use smooth metal or wet concrete. Sheep that slip in the race will panic and may injure themselves or the handler. ### The Working Area and Squeeze At the end of the race, you need a place to actually handle individual sheep. For many small operations, a simple race with a sliding gate at the end is enough. You can trap a sheep between two gates and do basic tasks like vaccination, ear tagging, or condition scoring. For more intensive work like foot trimming, shearing, or veterinary procedures, you need a proper restraint device. The two main options are a sheep chair and a tilt table. A sheep chair is a cradle that holds the sheep upright with its belly supported and its legs dangling. It allows you to work on the feet, head, or rear end without the sheep struggling. A good sheep chair has a head restraint and a body strap. It should be adjustable for different sheep sizes. A tilt table lays the sheep on its side or back. It is more versatile than a chair for some procedures but can be more stressful for the sheep. Tilt tables are commonly used in shearing operations and for veterinary work that requires access to the belly or underside. If you only do routine health work once or twice a year, a sheep chair is the better investment. It is easier to use, less stressful for the sheep, and takes up less space. If you plan to do shearing on site, a tilt table may be worth the extra cost. ## Building the System Step by Step Now that you understand the components, here is the step-by-step process for designing and building your sheep handling facility. ### Step 1: Assess Your Flock and Tasks Before you draw a single line on paper, write down exactly what you need to do with your sheep. Make a list of every handling task you perform in a typical year. Common tasks include: - Vaccination and deworming - Ear tagging and identification - Foot trimming and hoof care - [Body condition scoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/body-condition-scoring-a-tool-for-feed-management) - Pregnancy checking (with a scanner or ram harness) - Shearing - Sorting for breeding or sale - Loading for transport - Treating sick or injured sheep - Separating lambs from ewes for weaning For each task, note how many sheep you process at once and how often you do it. A flock of 20 ewes that only needs annual vaccination has very different facility needs than a flock of 200 ewes with a monthly health program. Also consider your future plans. If you expect to double your flock in five years, build the facility with that expansion in mind. It is much cheaper to build a slightly oversized race and working pen now than to tear out and rebuild later. ### Step 2: Choose the Location The site of your handling facility matters almost as much as the design. Look for a location that meets these criteria: - **Good drainage.** You do not want a muddy handling area. Choose a slightly elevated spot or plan to add a gravel base. - **Accessibility.** You need to get a truck and trailer to the loading area. Make sure the access road can handle a loaded stock trailer in wet weather. - **Proximity to pasture.** The facility should be close enough to your grazing areas that you can move sheep without a long, stressful drive. But it should not be so close that sheep associate the handling area with their daily grazing area. - **Shade and shelter.** Sheep waiting in the holding pen need protection from sun, wind, and rain. A simple shade structure or a grove of trees can make a big difference in sheep comfort. - **Utilities.** If you plan to install electric waterers, lights, or power tools, you need access to electricity and water. ### Step 3: Draw the Layout Use graph paper or a simple drawing program to sketch your layout. Start with the race and work backward. The race should be oriented so that the exit end points toward a bright, open area. The entrance end should be slightly darker. This encourages sheep to move forward. Draw the crowd pen at the entrance of the race. It should be a wedge shape that tapers toward the race. The crowding gate should be on a hinge at the wide end of the wedge. Draw the working pen connected to the crowd pen. It should be large enough for one batch of sheep. Add a gate between the working pen and the holding pen. Draw the holding pen connected to the working pen. It should be large enough for your entire flock or the largest group you plan to handle at once. Finally, draw the loading area. The loading ramp should be at the exit end of the race, or you can build a separate loading lane that branches off the race. A separate loading lane is useful if you want to sort some sheep for transport while continuing to process others. ### Step 4: Choose Materials Sheep handling facilities are built from three main materials: wood, metal panels, and permanent concrete or pipe. **Wood** is the most affordable option for small operations. A wooden race with plywood sides and 4x4 posts can be built for a few hundred dollars. The downsides are that wood rots over time, especially in wet climates, and it can splinter or develop gaps that catch sheep feet. Pressure-treated lumber lasts longer but costs more. **Metal panels** are the standard for commercial operations. Sheep panels are typically made of steel tubing and come in 8 to 16 foot sections. They are portable, durable, and easy to reconfigure. The downside is cost. A complete set of panels for a handling system can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more. **Permanent concrete and pipe** is the most durable option. You pour a concrete floor and set steel posts, then weld or bolt pipe rails in place. This is the most expensive option but it lasts for decades with minimal maintenance. It is the right choice for large operations or producers who plan to stay on the same land for a long time. For most small to medium operations, a hybrid approach works best. Use permanent construction for the race and crowd pen, and use portable panels for the working and holding pens. This gives you durability where you need it and flexibility where you want it. ### Step 5: Build the Race First Start construction with the race because it is the most critical component. If you are building a wooden race, set your posts at 4 to 6 foot intervals along both sides. The posts should be set in concrete or firmly tamped into the ground. Attach solid siding to the inside of the posts. Use plywood, oriented strand board, or metal sheeting. Make sure there are no gaps or holes that sheep can see through. Install a non-slip floor. If you are working on dirt, add a layer of gravel and compact it well. If you are pouring concrete, roughen the surface with a broom before it sets. You can also install rubber matting over concrete for extra traction and comfort. Add a gate at the entrance of the race that you can close to prevent sheep from backing out. This gate should swing in the direction of sheep flow so it does not create a visual barrier. At the exit end of the race, install a sliding gate or a guillotine gate that you can lower to trap sheep. This gate should be solid so the trapped sheep cannot see through it. ### Step 6: Build the Crowd Pen The crowd pen attaches to the entrance of the race. Build the walls solid to a height of at least 4 feet. The crowding gate should be a solid panel on hinges at the wide end of the wedge. It should swing in an arc, pushing sheep toward the race entrance. Install a latch or lock on the crowding gate so you can secure it in position while you work. You do not want the gate swinging back and letting sheep escape. The floor of the crowd pen should be the same non-slip material as the race. Sheep will be turning and pushing here, so traction is critical. ### Step 7: Build the Working and Holding Pens The working pen connects to the crowd pen. It should be large enough for one batch of sheep. Use solid panels for the first 4 feet of height. You can use open panels above that height to save money and allow airflow. The holding pen connects to the working pen. This is the largest area and can be built with open panels or permanent fencing. The holding pen should have a water source if sheep will be held for more than an hour. Add a sorting gate between the working pen and the holding pen so you can direct sheep back to pasture or into the crowd pen as needed. ### Step 8: Add the Loading Ramp If you plan to transport sheep, you need a loading ramp. The ramp should be at the exit end of the race or on a separate lane. It should have solid sides and a non-slip floor with cleats or crossbars. The ramp should angle up to the height of your trailer bed, typically 24 to 30 inches. A gradual slope is better than a steep one. A 10 to 12 foot ramp with a 20 to 25 degree slope works well for most trailers. Install a gate at the top of the ramp that you can close behind the sheep once they are in the trailer. This prevents them from backing out. ### Step 9: Test and Adjust Before you commit to permanent construction, test your layout with temporary panels. Move a few calm sheep through the system and watch how they behave. Look for places where sheep hesitate, try to turn, or refuse to move. Adjust the layout until the flow is smooth. Pay special attention to light and shadow. Walk through the race at the time of day you will typically work the sheep. Note where shadows fall and where the sun creates glare. Add shade cloth or adjust the orientation if needed. ## Common Mistakes in Sheep Handling Facility Design Even experienced producers make mistakes when building handling facilities. Here are the most common problems and how to avoid them. ### Making the Race Too Wide A race that is too wide is one of the most common errors. Sheep will turn around in a wide race, and once one sheep turns, the whole line backs up. Measure your largest sheep before you build. The race should be no more than 4 to 6 inches wider than the widest sheep in your flock. If you have a mixed flock with large ewes and small lambs, build a race with an adjustable side panel so you can narrow it for lambs. ### Using Open Sided Panels Open panels that let sheep see the outside world create constant stress. Sheep see movement, other animals, or people and they try to escape. Solid sides are not optional. They are essential for a low stress system. If you cannot afford solid panels, attach plywood or tarps to the panels to block vision. ### Creating Dead Ends Sheep will not enter a dead end. If your crowd pen has a square corner where sheep can get trapped, they will pile up there instead of moving into the race. Design the crowd pen as a wedge or half circle with no sharp corners. Round off any corners in the working pen with curved panels. ### Poor Lighting Contrast The race entrance should be darker than the race exit. If your race opens into bright sunlight, sheep will hesitate at the entrance. If the exit is dark, sheep will stop at the end. Use shade cloth over the race entrance or orient the race so the exit faces away from the direct sun. ### Building on Muddy Ground A handling facility on muddy ground is a disaster. Sheep slip, panic, and refuse to move. The mud also creates a health hazard for feet and increases the risk of infection. Build on a well-drained site and add a gravel base or concrete floor in all areas where sheep will walk. ### Forgetting the Exit Every handling system needs a way for sheep to leave. If the only exit is back through the race, you will create constant congestion. Add a wide exit gate from the working pen to the pasture so you can release processed sheep quickly and easily. ### Making the Crowd Pen Too Big A crowd pen that holds 30 sheep when you only process 10 at a time is hard to manage. The sheep have too much room to turn around and avoid the race entrance. Size the crowd pen to hold exactly one batch of sheep, and no more. ### Skimping on the Crowding Gate The crowding gate is the tool that moves sheep into the race. If it is flimsy, hard to swing, or has gaps, it will not work. Invest in a solid, well-hinged crowding gate with a good latch. This single component will save you more time and frustration than any other part of the system. ## Decision Thresholds: When to Build, Modify, or Replace Not every facility problem requires a full rebuild. Here are some decision thresholds to help you prioritize improvements. ### Build a New Facility When - You have no handling facilities at all and you are currently chasing sheep in a pasture or pen - Your flock has grown beyond what your current system can handle safely - You are moving to a new property - Your current facility causes injuries to sheep or handlers on a regular basis - You are starting a new enterprise such as a commercial lambing operation ### Modify Your Existing Facility When - The basic layout works but you need to fix specific bottlenecks - Your race is too wide and you need to add an adjustable side panel - Your crowd pen needs a better crowding gate - You need to add a loading ramp - You want to improve drainage or add a non-slip floor ### Replace Your Facility When - The structure is rotting or rusting and unsafe - The layout cannot be modified to create a smooth flow - The facility is in a poor location that cannot be fixed - You have outgrown the system and expansion is not possible on the current site ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping A good handling facility makes recordkeeping easier, but you still need a system for tracking what happens during processing. Good records help you make better management decisions and can alert you to problems early. ### What to Record For every handling session, record: - Date and time - Number of sheep processed - Tasks performed (vaccination, deworming, foot trimming, etc.) - Products used and batch numbers - Any sheep that received special treatment - Any injuries or problems observed - Weather conditions - Names of people present ### Individual Sheep Records For breeding stock, keep individual records that track: - Identification number (ear tag, tattoo, or electronic ID) - Body condition score at each handling - Weight if you have a scale - Health treatments and dates - Breeding and lambing dates - Feet condition and any foot treatments - Fleece quality if you are a wool producer ### Using Records to Improve Facilities Your handling records can tell you when the facility is not working well. If you consistently have sheep that escape, get injured, or refuse to enter the race, note it in the record. Over time, patterns will emerge. You might find that sheep always balk at a specific corner, or that processing takes twice as long in the afternoon when the sun hits the race exit. Use these observations to make targeted improvements. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Your handling facility is a tool for animal health, but it does not replace professional advice. Here are situations where you should call for help. ### Call Your Veterinarian When - A sheep is injured during handling and you cannot stop the bleeding or assess the damage - You notice signs of illness in multiple sheep during processing, such as coughing, nasal discharge, or diarrhea - You are starting a new vaccination program and are not sure which products to use - You need to perform a procedure you have not done before, such as castration, dehorning, or cesarean section - A sheep will not stand after handling and you suspect a back or leg injury - You see signs of footrot or other infectious conditions that spread through handling areas ### Call Your Extension Agent When - You are designing a new facility and want advice on layout and materials - You need help calculating the cost of a facility project - You want to compare different handling systems or restraint devices - You are planning a new sheep enterprise and need a complete production plan - You want to learn more about low stress handling techniques - You need help interpreting your flock records or developing a health program ### When to Report to a Regulatory Agency Some conditions are reportable to state or federal authorities. If you see signs of a reportable disease, such as scrapie, scrapie-like symptoms, or an unusual disease outbreak, contact your state veterinarian or the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge. Your veterinarian can help you determine if a condition needs to be reported. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much does it cost to build sheep handling facilities? The cost varies widely depending on materials and whether you do the work yourself. A basic wooden race and crowd pen for a small flock can be built for $500 to $1,500 in materials. A complete system with metal panels, a working pen, a holding pen, and a loading ramp typically costs $3,000 to $8,000. A permanent concrete and pipe system can cost $10,000 or more. If you hire a contractor, add 50 to 100 percent to the material cost for labor. ### Can I use cattle handling equipment for sheep? Cattle equipment is generally too large for sheep. The race will be too wide, allowing sheep to turn around, and the crowd pen will be too big to create the gentle pressure sheep need. Some producers successfully adapt cattle panels by adding solid siding and narrowing the race, but this is usually more work than building purpose-built sheep equipment. If you already have cattle facilities, consider building a separate sheep system or a portable sheep race that can be set up inside the cattle pens. ### How many sheep can I process in an hour with a well-designed system? A well-designed system with one experienced handler can process 50 to 100 sheep per hour for simple tasks like vaccination and ear tagging. For more intensive tasks like foot trimming or shearing, expect to process 10 to 20 sheep per hour. The key bottleneck is usually the speed at which you can move sheep through the race and the time each task takes at the working area. ### Should the race be straight or curved? A curved race is generally better than a straight race because it takes advantage of the sheep's natural tendency to circle. Sheep feel more secure in a curved race because they cannot see the exit or the squeeze from the entrance. However, a curved race is harder to build than a straight one. If you build a straight race, make sure the sides are solid and the exit is not visible from the entrance. A straight race with solid sides and good lighting can work just as well as a curved one. ### What is the best width for a sheep race? The best width depends on your breed. For small breeds like Shetland or Barbados Blackbelly, 16 to 18 inches works well. For medium breeds like Dorset or Finnsheep, 18 to 20 inches is ideal. For large meat breeds like Suffolk or Hampshire, 20 to 24 inches is better. If you have a mixed flock, build the race for your largest sheep and add an adjustable panel to narrow it for smaller animals. The race should never be more than 4 to 6 inches wider than the widest sheep in your flock. ### Do I need a squeeze chute or tilt table? You need a restraint device if you do tasks that require the sheep to stay still for more than a few seconds. Foot trimming, shearing, vaginal exams, and some treatments require proper restraint. A sheep chair is the best all-around choice for most small to medium operations. It is easier to use than a tilt table and less stressful for the sheep. If you only do vaccination and ear tagging, a simple race with a trapping gate is sufficient. ### How do I train sheep to use the handling facility? The best training is positive experience. Move a small group of calm sheep through the facility before you need to do any real work. Let them walk through the race and out the exit. Do this several times over a few days. Give them a small amount of grain or hay at the exit if they are used to eating grain. Never rush sheep through the facility the first few times. Once the sheep learn that the race leads to a safe exit, they will move through it willingly. ### What are the most important safety considerations? Safety for both sheep and handlers should be your top priority. Never work alone with a large ram or a group of rams. Always have an escape route in the working pen so you can get out quickly if a sheep becomes aggressive. Use non-slip flooring to prevent falls. Keep all gates and latches in good working order. Never use electric prods on sheep. If a sheep is refusing to move, stop and figure out why instead of forcing it. A calm, patient approach is always safer and more effective than a forceful one. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related guides on [sheep housing](/knowledge/animal-farming/alternative-livestock/sheep-housing-shelter-design-considerations), flock health management, pasture and grazing systems, and other topics relevant to sheep producers. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Sheep Grazing Lease: Terms, Rates, and Legal Considerations](/knowledge/animal-farming/sheep/sheep-grazing-lease-terms-rates-and-legal-considerations) * [Sheep Breed Selection for Meat, Wool, Dairy, and Low-Input Systems](/knowledge/animal-farming/sheep/sheep-breed-selection-for-meat-wool-dairy-and-low-input-systems) * [Sheep Barn Flooring for Hoof Health: Best Materials and Practices](/knowledge/animal-farming/sheep/sheep-barn-flooring-hoof-health-materials-practices) ## References - American Consortium for [Small Ruminant Parasite Control](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/food-animal-medicine/small-ruminant-parasite-control-diagnostic-strategies-anthelmintic-stewardship) (ACSRPC): https://www.wormx.info/ - USDA APHIS Sheep Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/sheep-goats - FAO Sheep and Goat Production: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.