Awassi Lamb Photos

I was looking through some of my Awassi photos from my trip to Australia and wanted to share a couple. The wool texture, coloring and facial features are quite unique. Theses lambs are considered to be the new and improved Awassi sheep breed and have a higher milk production than the traditional Middle Eastern Awassi.

Thanks for looking :-)

Andy Karras

Karras Farm

http://eastfriesiansheep.com/

http://awassisheep.com/

karrasfarm@gmail.com

Awassi Sheep Fecal Samples

It is important to take biannual fecal samples of your dairy sheep to check for parasites. Take samplings of several different sheep to your local veterinarian and have them checked for "egg count". A good time to do this in in early spring and late fall.

Sincerely,

Andy Karras
Karras Farm
karrasfarm@gmail.com
http://eastfriesiansheep.com/
http://awassisheep.com/

Sheep Sense of Smell

The olfactory sense of sheep is highly developed and difficult for humans to relate to. A sheeps heightened olfactory system most likely incorporates olfaction more completely with their interaction of the natural environment.

In spite of humans inability to understand the full scope of a sheeps sense of smell, perhaps we get a hint when an odor triggers a long buried memory or emotion. The sense of smell is mysteriously linked to the core of human and divine sensibilities.

Sheep use sense of smell in numerous ways. One way often observed is when smell is used to identify other sheep, particularly when a ewe uses smell to identify her lamb. Another common use of smell is during mating. The ram moves from ewe to ewe detecting which ewe is in heat (estrus). The classic head raising, lip curling behavior of the ram as he smells estrus females is called Flehmen response. This trait is occasionally noticed in females due to a Vomeronasal organ in the roof of their mouth not found in humans.

Baaaaaa Baaaaa and have a great day!

Andy Karras
Karras Farm
karrasfarm@gmail.com

US Presidential Shepards

George Washington raised sheep at his Mt. Vernon estate. Thomas Jefferson kept sheep at Monticello. Presidents Washington and Jefferson were bot inaugurated in suits made of American Wool. James Madison's inaugural jacket was woven from wool of sheep raised at his home in Virginia. President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House lawn.

God bless the USA and all our wonderful sheep!

Sincerely,
Andy Karras
Karras Farm
karrasfarm@gmail.com

Awassi Sheep - Jingle Bells

Thank you all for viewing and commenting on our YouTube videos.

We have had several comments regarding the bells we use so I
wanted to take a moment to touch base on this subject.

Growing up on a sheep farm in Greece we had always used bells on the herd.

Here is a list of top benefits to using bells.
1. Keeps the sheep at a calm disposition for proper grazing.
2. Alerts you and your guard dogs in case of danger.
3. You always know where your animals are located.
4. Helps to deter wild predators away. Predators don't like strange sounds!

Note: We put bells on half of our herd and on Ewes only. No bells on Rams or lambs under 1 yr old.

Karras Farm has made arrangements to import some more bells directly from Greece due to a number of you requesting them. If you are interested in purchasing some bells for your sheep please call or email us. We would be happy to provide you with some additional details.

karrasfarm@gmail.com

Dairy Sheep - Newborn Lambs

Care for newborn lambs is critically important. Nearly twenty percent of lambs die before weaning. Eighty percent of those losses occur during the first ten days. Good lamb care can significantly increase the number of lambs that complete the weaning process and enter the flock healthy. Adequate shelter from the elements, dry/warm bedding, udder care and proper vaccinations are all contributing factors to optimal number of healthy lambs.

Best success this lambing season!

Sincerely,
Karras Farm

Awassi Sheep - Fresh Water & Shade

Awassi Fat Tail Sheep are highly adapted to arid climates of the Middle East. It is important to recognize that extreme summer heat will cause all sheep breeds to loose moisture through their skin. It is very important to realize that the natural feed sources are also drained of moisture and nutrients during the hot summer months. Be sure to allow ample shaded grazing areas and additional water to rehydrate your sheep during the heat of summer.