Glossary - Raising Sheep - page 417

feedstuff . An ingredient or material fed to an animal.
felting . The interlocking of fi bers when rubbed together under conditions of
heat, moisture, and pressure.
fermentation . Microbial decomposition of organic matter in an oxygen-free
environment, including the breakdown of food by microorganisms in the
sheep's rumen.
fertility . Ability of an animal to reproduce.
fetus . An animal in the uterus until birth.
fi nish . To fatten animals for slaughter.
fi tting . Preparing an animal for show.
fl eece . The wool from one sheep.
fl ock . A group of sheep.
fl ushing . Feeding ewes additional feed for 2 to 3 weeks prior to breeding.
forage . Vegetable matter in pasture, hay, or silage.
free choice . Food available at all times.
freshening . Giving birth.
gestation . Time between breeding and lambing; in sheep, between 147 and
153 days.
grade . Grade animals may be crossbred or purebred, but there defi nitely are
no records of breeding recorded with a breed association.
grading . Classifying fl eeces according to fi neness, length, character, and
quality.
graft . Have a ewe accept and mother a lamb that isn't her own.
grease wool . Wool as it comes from the sheep.
gummer . An old sheep missing all or most of its teeth.
halter . A rope or leather headgear used to control or lead an animal.
hot house lamb . A lamb born in fall or early winter and butchered at 9 to
16 weeks of age.
hybrid vigor . The extra vigor, strength, hardiness, and productive capacity
that comes from crossbreeding animals.
immunity . An animal's ability to resist or overcome infection; may be natu-
ral or the result of vaccinations.
inbreeding . The breeding of animals that are closely related.
infestation . Presence of a large number of parasites or insects.
intensive management . A production system that relies on high levels of
inputs, including harvested feeds and specialized facilities. See extensive
management.