368 JUDGING SHEEP 



ewe. While sheep are placed on the market in other forms, 

 the same as cattle and swine, these classes mentioned consti- 

 tute the standard finished market products. 



The wool obtained from the sheep either once or twice 

 yearly is used in the manufacture of various kinds of woven 

 or felted materials. This depends on the class and grade of 

 the wool, as described later. In judging sheep a careful 

 estimate should therefore be made concerning the value of 

 this product in its various uses. 



Determination of Age. Sheep have eight incisor teeth in 

 the lower jaw. On the upper jaw a rough pad or cushion is 

 provided which serves the purpose of teeth in biting and 

 masticating the feed. The age of sheep under one year is 

 easily determined by the teeth, there being a full set of eight 

 milk or temporary incisors after twenty-eight or thirty days. 

 These temporary teeth are much smaller and whiter than 

 the permanent set. This is clearly evident on the appearance 

 of the first pair of permanent central incisors which are 

 darker in color, larger, broader and longer. 



At one year to fifteen months of age the two permanent 

 central incisors appear. These are much larger and stronger 

 than the milk teeth. They can easily be detected by this 

 difference. At eighteen to twenty-four months of age the 

 first intermediate incisors appear and at two and one-half 

 to three years the second intermediates appear. At four 

 years of age, or thereabouts, the fourth or corner pair of 

 incisors displace the temporary teeth, when the sheep has 

 a full mouth, and the age must thereafter be determined 

 by other signs. While it is not frequently necessary to 

 determine the age of sheep after the four-year stage, it is 

 sometimes desirable to do so. The only practical way 

 which this can be done is by observing the general 

 condition of the animal. As the age advances the loin 

 becomes hollow, the nostrils wide and the mouth assumes 

 a characteristic condition known as "broken mouth." 

 When an animal reaches. this stage it is beyond its practical 

 period of usefulness except in cases of valuable animals which 

 it is sometimes profitable to maintain by giving special 

 attention to the preparation of the feed. 



