1
Resources: DBE_NOV/2023, DBE_NOV/2024, DBE_NOV/2025; DBE_ATP/2024
IMAGES: Canva and AI-generated images based on typical examination-style questions.
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum
and current examination requirements. The content is based on past examination
papers, tests and typical assessment question patterns.
The content was adapted and structured for examination preparation purposes. AI tools
were used to assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
• Revise important content in a structured way
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If
you are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me
at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for examination
preparation. They do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Important: Learners can use the Term 3 notes for focused Term 3 preparation.
Where applicable, it is also recommended that learners revise Term 1 and Term 2
notes together with the Term 3 notes.
Good luck, Juffrou Ansie
Contents
1. Sheep Housing, Facilities and Animal Handling ...................................................... 2
2. Reproduction in Sheep ....................................................................................... 13
3. Basic Veterinary Practices ................................................................................... 22
4. Sheep Diseases.................................................................................................. 26
5. Parasitology ....................................................................................................... 30
6. Record Keeping .................................................................................................. 37
7. Marketing of Sheep and Sheep Products .............................................................. 45
8. Farm Management and Production ...................................................................... 50
1. Sheep Housing, Facilities and Animal Handling
Although sheep spend most of their lives grazing in open fields, they cannot be
managed successfully without suitable housing and handling facilities.
Good facilities enable the farmer to:
• inspect animals regularly
• vaccinate and treat sheep
• identify sick animals quickly
• shear wool safely
• sort breeding animals
• reduce stress during handling
• improve productivity and profitability
1.1 Sheep Housing
Sheep housing provides shelter and protection to keep sheep healthy, comfortable and
productive.
Purposes of Sheep Housing:
• Protects sheep from extreme weather.
• Protects against predators.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
• Reduces disease risk.
• Provides shelter during lambing.
• Makes flock management easier.
Characteristics of Good Housing:
✔ Dry
✔ Well ventilated
✔ Clean
✔ Well drained
✔ Spacious
✔ Easy to clean
Advantages of Good Housing Disadvantages of Poor Housing
✔ Protects animals ✘ Higher disease incidence
✔ Reduces stress ✘ Wet bedding
✔ Improves production ✘ Injuries
✔ Makes management easier ✘ Heat stress
✔ Reduces deaths ✘ Predator attacks
✔ Better lamb survival ✘ Difficult handling
✔ Easier disease control ✘ Increased labour
✔ Safer working environment ✘ Lower productivity
1.2 Sheep Housing Systems
Choosing a Housing System. The choice depends on:
• Climate
• Grazing availability
• Farm size
• Available capital
• Production goals
Sheep can be managed under different
production systems depending on climate,
available grazing, land size, labour, and
production goals.
The three main housing systems are:
• Extensive System
• Semi-intensive System
• Intensive System
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
A. Extensive Sheep Farming System
A system where sheep graze freely over large areas of natural veld with very little
supplementary feeding or housing. This is the most common sheep farming system in
South Africa, especially in the Karoo and other dry regions.
Characteristics:
• Large grazing camps
• Natural grazing
• Low stocking density
• Minimal housing
• Low labour requirements
• Lower production costs
• Sheep walk long distances
• Farmers regularly inspect flocks
Advantages Disadvantages
✔ Low production costs ✘ Difficult to monitor individual animals
✔ Uses natural grazing ✘ Predators may attack sheep
✔ Less labour required ✘ Disease may be detected late
✔ Lower housing costs ✘ Weather has a greater impact
✔ Sheep behave naturally ✘ Lamb mortality may increase
✔ Suitable for large farms
_________________________________________________________________________________
B. Semi-intensive Sheep Farming System
This system combines natural grazing with supplementary feeding and improved
housing. Sheep spend part of the day grazing and are brought into shelters or feeding
areas when necessary.
Characteristics:
• Grazing plus supplementary feeding
• Better housing
• More management
• Moderate stocking density
• Higher labour requirement
• Better health monitoring
Advantages Disadvantages
✔ Better growth rates ✘ Higher feeding costs
✔ Improved lamb survival ✘ More labour needed
✔ Easier disease control ✘ More infrastructure required
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
Resources: DBE_NOV/2023, DBE_NOV/2024, DBE_NOV/2025; DBE_ATP/2024
IMAGES: Canva and AI-generated images based on typical examination-style questions.
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum
and current examination requirements. The content is based on past examination
papers, tests and typical assessment question patterns.
The content was adapted and structured for examination preparation purposes. AI tools
were used to assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
• Revise important content in a structured way
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If
you are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me
at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for examination
preparation. They do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Important: Learners can use the Term 3 notes for focused Term 3 preparation.
Where applicable, it is also recommended that learners revise Term 1 and Term 2
notes together with the Term 3 notes.
Good luck, Juffrou Ansie
Contents
1. Sheep Housing, Facilities and Animal Handling ...................................................... 2
2. Reproduction in Sheep ....................................................................................... 13
3. Basic Veterinary Practices ................................................................................... 22
4. Sheep Diseases.................................................................................................. 26
5. Parasitology ....................................................................................................... 30
6. Record Keeping .................................................................................................. 37
7. Marketing of Sheep and Sheep Products .............................................................. 45
8. Farm Management and Production ...................................................................... 50
1. Sheep Housing, Facilities and Animal Handling
Although sheep spend most of their lives grazing in open fields, they cannot be
managed successfully without suitable housing and handling facilities.
Good facilities enable the farmer to:
• inspect animals regularly
• vaccinate and treat sheep
• identify sick animals quickly
• shear wool safely
• sort breeding animals
• reduce stress during handling
• improve productivity and profitability
1.1 Sheep Housing
Sheep housing provides shelter and protection to keep sheep healthy, comfortable and
productive.
Purposes of Sheep Housing:
• Protects sheep from extreme weather.
• Protects against predators.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
• Reduces disease risk.
• Provides shelter during lambing.
• Makes flock management easier.
Characteristics of Good Housing:
✔ Dry
✔ Well ventilated
✔ Clean
✔ Well drained
✔ Spacious
✔ Easy to clean
Advantages of Good Housing Disadvantages of Poor Housing
✔ Protects animals ✘ Higher disease incidence
✔ Reduces stress ✘ Wet bedding
✔ Improves production ✘ Injuries
✔ Makes management easier ✘ Heat stress
✔ Reduces deaths ✘ Predator attacks
✔ Better lamb survival ✘ Difficult handling
✔ Easier disease control ✘ Increased labour
✔ Safer working environment ✘ Lower productivity
1.2 Sheep Housing Systems
Choosing a Housing System. The choice depends on:
• Climate
• Grazing availability
• Farm size
• Available capital
• Production goals
Sheep can be managed under different
production systems depending on climate,
available grazing, land size, labour, and
production goals.
The three main housing systems are:
• Extensive System
• Semi-intensive System
• Intensive System
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
A. Extensive Sheep Farming System
A system where sheep graze freely over large areas of natural veld with very little
supplementary feeding or housing. This is the most common sheep farming system in
South Africa, especially in the Karoo and other dry regions.
Characteristics:
• Large grazing camps
• Natural grazing
• Low stocking density
• Minimal housing
• Low labour requirements
• Lower production costs
• Sheep walk long distances
• Farmers regularly inspect flocks
Advantages Disadvantages
✔ Low production costs ✘ Difficult to monitor individual animals
✔ Uses natural grazing ✘ Predators may attack sheep
✔ Less labour required ✘ Disease may be detected late
✔ Lower housing costs ✘ Weather has a greater impact
✔ Sheep behave naturally ✘ Lamb mortality may increase
✔ Suitable for large farms
_________________________________________________________________________________
B. Semi-intensive Sheep Farming System
This system combines natural grazing with supplementary feeding and improved
housing. Sheep spend part of the day grazing and are brought into shelters or feeding
areas when necessary.
Characteristics:
• Grazing plus supplementary feeding
• Better housing
• More management
• Moderate stocking density
• Higher labour requirement
• Better health monitoring
Advantages Disadvantages
✔ Better growth rates ✘ Higher feeding costs
✔ Improved lamb survival ✘ More labour needed
✔ Easier disease control ✘ More infrastructure required
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
