Domestic animals play a major role as farm animals in the history of mankind. In addition to meat, they provide milk and above all wool and fur. Since they are frugal, they are farm animals that are spread all over the world. 40 % of today’s sheep live in Asia. In Europe today, lamb fattening is the most important branch. Most sheep in Europe are farmed extensively, which means that few sheep have much land to graze on. Pastoralism means mobile natural grazing in unenclosed landscapes. However, there is also industrialised intensive farming mainly for milk production. On average in the EU, a sheep farmer has 144 animals, in the UK 500.

Sheep’s milk has become particularly important in the organic trade.

Until 1950 sheep were kept in Europe mainly for their wool.

Sheep can live up to 20 years. In the vernacular they were considered stupid, nevertheless the sheep is a central motif in cultural history. It is a symbol of purity, patience and gentleness. But also for a being that endures everything. Recent research has shown that sheep have a good memory: they can remember the faces of up to 50 of their conspecifics even after years. This also has to do with the fact that they can protect themselves from external intruders. For this they need highly developed brains. Sheep can also distinguish which herbs are healthy or unhealthy for them. They can also heal themselves with remedies, as American researchers have found out. British researchers have now also studied which facial features sheep use to indicate pain. The goal of these studies is to be able to identify sheep with diseases in large herds.

to the shop

Post a picture of you and your t-shirt on Instagram with the hashtag #jutaku-animal-trustee. Or introduce us to your sheep, if you have one in your life!