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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I evaluate flock health?
• Visit the farm of a breeder for the opportunity to have a first-hand look
at the flock for possible health problems.
• Ask about the general management of the flock (i.e. vaccination and
deworming schedule).
• When looking at the flock watch carefully for:
o Lame sheep.
o Signs of caseous lymphadenitis.
o Sore mouth.
o Excessive coughing.
o Laboured breathing.
o The general body condition of the flock.
• Ask about history of abortions in the flock, or if any outbreaks of
disease had occurred in recent years.
• The conformation and condition of sheep in heavy fleece will be
difficult to assess, and may require a ‘hand’s on’ appraisal.
How do I evaluate age and teeth?
How do I evaluate age and teeth?
• Purebred animals will have letters tattooed in their ears, indicating the
year of birth.
• For crossbred or other nonregistered animals, appearance and
examination of the teeth will provide a general idea of age.
• Adult sheep have three sets of premolars and three molars on each
side of the mouth on both the top and bottom jaws (24 in all).
• The front of the lower jaw is equipped with eight incisor teeth.
• Sheep do not have teeth on the front of the top jaw.
• It is generally the incisor teeth that are examined to determine the age
of live animals.
• By three weeks of age, lambs will have eight incisor milk teeth.
• The milk teeth are significantly smaller and narrower than the
permanent incisors.
• With each successive year, a pair of milk teeth is replaced by
permanent ones.
• When the sheep is four years of age, it will have eight
permanent incisors.
• After four years of age, it is more difficult to determine the exact age.
• Sheep that have been well cared for and properly fed will often
maintain a full mouth until they are seven to nine years of age.
• Sheep with “broken mouths” (missing teeth) should not be
considered as breeding stock as they may have a difficult time
maintaining condition.
What should I look for in a ewe?
• Most producers will buy ewe lambs as replacement ewes.
• Buying ewes that have lambed before provides an opportunity to
gather information on their fertility and quality of lambs.
• High-quality ewes may be expensive.
• Ewes generally reach peak productivity at four to six years of age.
• If ewes have lambed previously, check their udders to be sure there
are no lumps or hard areas indicating past bouts of mastitis.
• Look for ewes with udders held close to their bodies.
• Ewes with low udders are more prone to injury and mastitis.
• Teat size and shape is also important.
• Very large teats may create nursing problems for newborn lambs.
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About The Breed
North Country Cheviot sheep are a type of "Cheviot" named after the hill area they originated from near the English border of Scotland. North Country Cheviots are a larger sheep that have longer fleece, and they mature earlier. They are bred predominantly in Scotland, but are also bred in other parts of the world, including Alberta Canada. They are raised primarily for meat. They are independent sheep, strong willed, vigorous, and very hardy. They are well suited for rough pastures and harsh climates such as what is common in Alberta Canada.
The North Country Cheviot has a white head, black nostrils, and an alert look with erect ears. Both male and female are hornless (polled). The eyes have a black line around them. The body is covered with long white wool. The white fleece is strong, lofty, free of curl, hair or kemp.
Mature rams often weigh between 220 lbs - 275 lbs (100 - 125 kg).
Mature ewes often weigh between 121 lbs - 175 lbs (55 kg - 80 kg)
The ewes exhibit superior nurturing instincts and deliver lambs simply with less trouble. The lambs are robust at birth and persist to endure and survive. These lively, hardy, lambs are often up and sucking minutes after birth. The rate of gain is average, but the carcass quality is very good with an above average yield percentage.
Whether used for pure or cross breeding, North Country Cheviots pass on quality to the flock. They are often used in crossbreeding programs to pass on desirable traits of the breed such as carcass quality, hardiness, and their working lives are considerably longer than most other breeds. They convert feed very efficiently.
About Us
Boz Hill Farm is a Purebred North Country Cheviot breeder near Brownfield Alberta. We supply ‘seed stock’. For example, commercial producers who will use our purebreds as the foundation for a cross breeding program. It is usually necessary for lamb producers to purchase outside males to make genetic improvement in the flock and prevent excessive levels of inbreeding. There is a saying that "the ram is "half the flock." The basis for this statement is that his genetics will be spread over many more offspring than a ewe's will. Rams will be the primary means by which genetic improvement will be made in a flock.
There is a keen demand for all classes of stock – rams, ewes and lambs. This breed produces what the market demands, which is quality and value without compromise. The North Country Cheviot is an extremely versatile sheep which has a lot to offer the sheep farmer wishing to produce top quality lambs. A special feature of the breed and its crosses, is that both male or female lambs are in constant demand. Pure or crossed ewe lambs for breeding, and wether lambs for quality carcasses which retain leanness and conformation right through from late summer to early spring. Most producers will buy ewe lambs as replacement ewes. However, buying ewes that have lambed before provides an opportunity to gather information on their fertility and quality of lambs.
The best place to purchase breeding stock is from a reputable breeder, such as Boz Hill Farms. Regardless of where or from whom breeding stock is purchased, the animals should be isolated for at least 30 days with no fence-line contact with the existing flock.
Starting with and selecting the right sheep will go a long way towards ensuring a successful sheep enterprise, no matter what the production emphasis is or where the farm or ranch is located.
It is almost always better to upgrade local breeds or stock than to introduce new breeds or genetics that may not be adapted to the local environment or production system.
Not all traits have equal economic value, though the number of lambs born per ewe, lamb survival, and weaning weights are very important when it comes to profitability.
Boz Hill Farm
in Brownfield Alberta Canada
We raise and sell North Country Cheviot (NCC) Sheep breeding stock. Registered and Full Blood lambs, rams, and ewes.
How do I determine if a ram is fit for breeding?
How do I determine if a ram is fit for breeding?
• A good ram is a crucial link in a successful breeding program.
• If the ram fails, it can result in devastating losses for the producer.
• It is important to have rams that are capable of finding ewes in estrus,
breeding and conceiving.
• A ram must be physically sound, possess satisfactory semen quality
and be able to mate with females under the environmental
conditions provided.
• The production of sperm is a long process and it can be seven weeks
from the time sperm cells are produced to when they are mature
sperm cells. During this time disease, trauma or nutritional stress can
affect semen quality for several weeks.
What does a breeding soundness exam entail?
What does a breeding soundness exam entail?
• Only physical soundness and semen quality are evaluated during a
breeding soundness evaluation.
• Observe the ram before handling for potential health problems.
• Respiration rate at rest and with moderate moving should be normal;
a ram that has difficulties breathing will not be fit enough for breeding.
• The ram should be of a moderate body condition score. For more
information about body condition score (BCS), see Appendix 1 of the
Code of Practice: http://nfacc.ca/pdf/english/Sheep1995.pdf.
• Teeth should be intact to allow grazing ability.
• He should be sound and able to move easily without effort
of lameness.
• Hooves should be closely inspected to ensure trimming and freedom
from footrot or scald.
• Inspect him for any lesions or abscesses that may indicate some
infectious condition.
• The scrotum should be measured.