Adult male sheep are called rams, but this term represents only one category within the specialized language of sheep husbandry. The specific name an animal is given depends on its age and reproductive capability, reflecting the animal’s function within the flock. This terminology allows farmers and breeders to communicate precisely about the roles and characteristics of individual animals.
The Terminology of Male Sheep
The term “ram” designates an adult male sheep that has not been castrated and remains reproductively intact. These males are maintained for breeding purposes to sire the next generation of the flock. In some regions, such as the United Kingdom, a ram may also be referred to as a “tup.”
The ram’s biological role is to introduce genetic traits and maintain the breeding cycle. Rams reach sexual maturity and are considered adults for breeding when they are at least one year of age. Their intact status means they retain male secondary characteristics influenced by hormones like testosterone.
Classifying the Flock
The remaining members of the flock are classified using distinct terms. The adult female sheep is known as a ewe. A young sheep of either sex, defined as being under one year old, is called a lamb.
The most important distinction for male sheep not used for breeding is the “wether,” which refers to a castrated male sheep. This procedure, performed early in life, removes reproductive capacity, changing the animal’s biological purpose. Wethers are raised for meat or wool production, as the lack of reproductive hormones influences growth and temperament.
Therefore, not all male sheep are called rams; many are wethers, while the youngest males are referred to as ram lambs. This precise nomenclature prevents confusion regarding the animal’s sex, age, and reproductive status.
Distinctive Characteristics of the Ram
Rams exhibit physical and behavioral traits that set them apart from ewes and wethers, due to the influence of male hormones. Physically, rams display superior growth and a heavier build than their castrated counterparts. They develop larger ribeye areas and possess less backfat compared to wethers raised under similar conditions.
The presence of horns is a notable, though not universal, physical characteristic; many breeds of rams have large, spiraled horns, while others are naturally hornless, or “polled.” Behaviorally, rams are known for heightened aggression and territoriality, particularly during the autumn breeding season, known as the rut. Elevated hormone levels drive rams to fight vigorously to establish a dominance hierarchy, involving intense head-butting to secure mating opportunities.