Schapen

Schapen, or sheep, are domesticated ruminant mammals of the genus Ovis, primarily Ovis aries. They are kept worldwide for meat, wool, and milk, and have played a central role in livestock systems for millennia. Domestic sheep are among the oldest livestock species, with evidence of managed flocks dating to the Neolithic period in the Near East and Europe.

Sheep are herbivorous ruminants with a four-chambered stomach that enables the fermentation of fibrous forage. Most breeds have a dense fleece of wool, though some are hair or combinations of hair and wool. Coat type varies from fine, soft wool to coarser varieties. They are social animals that form flocks and communicate through vocalizations and body language. Reproduction and lambing characteristics vary by breed and climate; gestation is typically about 142–152 days, with single or twin lambs being common. Lambs are usually weaned according to management practices.

Uses and products include wool, meat (lamb and mutton), and, in some dairy systems, milk and dairy products. There are thousands of breeds adapted to different climates and purposes, such as Merino for fine wool, Suffolk for meat, and Rambouillet for both wool and meat. Management involves shelter, grazing or pasture access, water, fencing, and routine health care, including parasite control, vaccinations, and hoof care. Welfare considerations focus on appropriate stocking, lambing supervision, and nutrition.

Global context: Sheep are raised on every inhabited continent. Major producers include China, Australia, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Environmental considerations include grazing impacts and methane emissions from ruminants. Fer al and wild populations also occur in some regions.