Friday, March 29, 2024
Ruminants

Estimating of Age Using Dentition in Sheep and Goat

Both sheep and goats have a total of 32 teeth. They do not have any upper incisors. The dental formula for sheep and goats is as follows: 0/4 incisors, 3/3 pre-molars, 3/3 molars.

The first number in each formula represents how many sets of teeth are on the upper jaw; the second number indicates how many sets of teeth are on the lower jaw. For example, the 0/4 means that sheep/goats have no upper incisors, but have 4 sets of lower incisors (8 lower incisors in all).

Read Also : Guide to Catching and Holding of Sheep and Goats Easily

Most of the time the dental formula looks like this 2 (0/4 incisors, 3/3 pre-molars, 3/3 molars) = 32. All baby sheep and goats are born with deciduous teeth (teeth that will fall out). Deciduous teeth are much smaller than permanent teeth. The deciduous teeth are replaced with permanent teeth as the animal ages.

Procedure

Table: Sheep and Goat Dentition

Permanent Tooth Eruption in Sheep and Goats
PermanenttoothAgeatEruption
Incisor (I1)1-1.5 years
Incisor (I2)1.5-2 years
Incisor (I3)2.5-3 years
Incisor (I4)3.5-4 years
Premolars1.5-2 years
Molar (M1)3 months
Molar (M2)9-12 months
Molar (M3)1.5-2 years

Sheep Dentition

Estimating of Age Using Dentition in Sheep and Goat

Two incisors are permanent (black arrows). All the incisors are permanent and worn.

The black arrow shows where this goat is missing an incisor tooth.

Estimating of Age Using Dentition in Sheep and Goat
Estimating of Age Using Dentition in Sheep and Goat

Fig. 5: Dentition of a 6-8 year old sheep

Table 4: Cattle Dentition


Cattle age at occurrence
TeethEruptionFull developmentWear
Incisors
Pinchers18 to 24 months24 monthsLeveled at 5 to 6 years, noticeable wear at 7 to 8 years
1st intermediate pair24 to 30 months36 monthsLeveled at 6 to 7 years, noticeable wear at 8 to 9 years
2nd intermediate pair
36 months
48 monthsLeveled at 7 to 8 years, noticeable wear at 8 to 9 years
Corners42 to 48 months60 monthsLeveled 9 years, noticeable wear at 10 years
Premolars
1st cheek tooth pair24 to 30 months
2nd cheek tooth pair18 to 30 months
3rd cheek tooth pair30 to 36 months
Molars
4th cheek tooth pair5 to 6 months
5th cheek tooth pair12 to 18 months
6th cheek tooth pair24 to 30 months

Read Also : General Impact of Wastes on Environment

Agric4Profits

Benadine Nonye is an agricultural consultant and a writer with over 12 years of professional experience in the agriculture industry. - National Diploma in Agricultural Technology - Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Science - Master's Degree in Science Education... Visit My Websites On: 1. Agric4Profits.com - Your Comprehensive Practical Agricultural Knowledge and Farmer’s Guide Website! 2. WealthinWastes.com - For Effective Environmental Management through Proper Waste Management and Recycling Practices! Join Me On: Twitter: @benadinenonye - Instagram: benadinenonye - LinkedIn: benadinenonye - YouTube: Agric4Profits TV and WealthInWastes TV - Pinterest: BenadineNonye4u - Facebook: BenadineNonye

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