Male sheep exist and play a specialized role in livestock farming. Like many domesticated animals, sheep have different names that designate their gender, age, and reproductive status. Understanding this terminology is important for anyone interested in the life cycle and management of a flock, as these names reflect unique attributes.
Specific Names for Male Sheep
The most common name for an adult, reproductively intact male sheep is a Ram. In some regions, particularly the United Kingdom, a Ram is also referred to as a Tup. Rams are kept specifically for breeding purposes, siring the next generation of lambs.
A young male sheep, typically under one year of age, is called a Ram Lamb. The reproductive status of a male sheep changes the terminology and its use in the flock. A Wether is the name given to a male sheep that has been castrated.
Wethers are not used for breeding; they are primarily raised for meat and wool production. Castration reduces male hormones, resulting in a calmer disposition compared to an intact Ram. This difference in temperament makes Wethers easier and safer to manage within a mixed-sex flock.
Distinct Physical and Behavioral Traits
Male sheep generally exhibit greater physical size and mass compared to female sheep. Adult Rams typically weigh between 45 and 160 kilograms, significantly higher than the 45 to 100 kilograms seen in mature females. The presence of horns is another distinguishing feature, although this varies by breed. When horns are present, the Ram’s horns are often larger, thicker, and more divergent than a female’s, growing in a continuous lateral spiral.
The temperament of a Ram is different from other sheep due to higher testosterone levels. Rams are naturally more aggressive, a trait that intensifies during the breeding season known as the rut. This aggression often manifests as dominance displays and intense head-butting to establish a social hierarchy.
Rams should be managed with caution, especially during the rut, as they may view humans as part of the flock to be dominated. This innate behavior is used to challenge rival males for the right to mate. The difference in behavior is directly linked to their reproductive function, making a Ram’s management distinct from a Wether’s.
Other Essential Sheep Terms
To understand the structure of a sheep group, it is helpful to know the names for the female and young members. An adult female sheep is called an Ewe, a term that applies once she has reached maturity. The act of giving birth is known as lambing.
A Lamb is the name for any young sheep under one year old, regardless of its sex. These young animals are often separated into Ram Lambs and Ewe Lambs based on gender. The collective term for any group of sheep is a Flock.