NH 4-H Sheep Project

Introduction to the New Hampshire 4-H Sheep Project

4-H Sheep members learn about the care and nutrition of sheep and lambs, as well as breed differences and wool production, whether they are interested in meat production or fleece production. While it isn’t necessary to own a sheep or lamb, there are opportunities for showing for those who want to.

The term “Sheep” refers to animals that are over one year of age. A yearling is a sheep between one and two years of age that may or may not have produced offspring. In 4-H, a sheep cannot be shown for more than two years. Some yearlings have had a lamb and can be shown as a yearling. Lambs are less than one year of age and usually have not produced offspring. Lamb is also the term for the meat of a young domestic sheep eaten as food. A mature female sheep is called a ewe and a mature male sheep is called a ram or buck. A castrated male is called a weather.

There are more breeds of sheep than breeds of any other livestock species. There are 47 breeds in the United States alone divided into the following breed types: • meat • fine wool • long wool • dual purpose • hair and • minor breeds. Sheep come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be differentiated by their primary purpose (meat, wool, milk), the type of fibers they grow (fine, medium, long, carpet wool; or hair), the color of their faces (black, white, red, or mottled), and various production or physical characteristics.

Requirements to Show

Additional Requirements for 4-H Shows at The Big E

Resources

Events

Participant Age: 8 -18 as of January 1 of the current year.
Required Animal Age: 4 months of age or older to go to any 4-H fair or event. Sheep over two years of age cannot be shown at any NH 4-H Fair or at Eastern States.
Animal Vaccination Requirements: Rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days prior to shows or events and must be current (not more than 1 year). Animals must be healthy/free from signs of communicable disease prior to attending any show or event. Certificate of veterinary inspection may be required by some events and is required to bring an animal outside the state of NH.
Required Animal Identification: Permanent ID – The animal must have an ear tag or ear tattoo and an official Scrapie ID tag in their ear. They can have a microchip providing a reader is available. For information on Scrapie ID tags, call the State Veterinarian’s Office at the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food in Concord, 603-271-3551.
Sheep project animals must be entered into a 4-H member’s ZSuite account by June 1 (including a copy of the Animal Borrowing/ Sharing Form if applicable) to be eligible to show at NH 4-H shows.

Youth 12 and older as of January 1 of the current year are eligible to show their sheep project animal at The Big E as part of the NH 4-H Sheep Team.
Youth wishing to partake in this team need to complete the following qualification criteria.
Additional animal criteria and requirements can be found at: https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/4-h.