How Do Sheep Sleep?

Sheep live in constant danger of being attacked by predators, especially in the wild. Their sleeping habits are therefore ideally adapted to these living conditions. In order to be able to flee quickly when threatened, sheep never sleep for long periods at a time and do not leave the flock during the night hours. Because only in the group the sheep feels safe and finds peace.

How long do sheep sleep? Do sheep sleep at night?

On average, sheep spend only four to a maximum of five hours sleeping each night. Since sheep are prey animals, they are on alert around the clock and their sleep is accordingly very light. When the animals sense danger, they wake up immediately to be able to flee quickly in an emergency. Sheep always sleep in the herd. Some animals always stay awake to warn the rest of the flock when an enemy approaches.

Sheep are diurnal animals and have the need to rest at night. As a rule, they sleep only briefly at a time – a sleep phase usually lasts no longer than ten minutes. Their sleep behavior is therefore characterized by short sleep phases alternating with wakeful phases. Only when they feel completely safe do they fall into deep sleep. During this sleep, however, the animals spend only about 2 to 2.5 percent of the time in REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. Rapid eye movements with closed eyelids are the characteristic of this deep sleep phase. The sleep cycles of sheep have hardly been researched to date.

In which position do sheep sleep?

Mostly sheep sleep on their belly to be able to escape as fast as possible in case of danger. You can easily recognize a sleeping animal by its position: Usually it has a drooping head and neck. Only when the animals feel completely safe do they lie down on their side. During deep sleep, sheep occasionally lie on their sides with their limbs extended. Since they are easy prey for enemies in this position, they usually do not linger long in this posture.

What are the lying positions for sheep?

In an upright position on the belly: ruminating, resting.
With head hanging down on the belly: light to deep sleep
With outstretched limbs on the side: Deep sleep

NOTICE:

Highly pregnant sheep in particular have a hard time getting back on their feet once they are on their backs. This can be life threatening for them as they can be crushed by their own internal organs. So if you see a sheep lying on its back, don’t hesitate and help it get up.

What else is there to know about the sleeping position of sheep?

• Wild sheep sleep with their head facing uphill to be able to sense predators and falling rocks as quickly as possible.
• After getting up, sheep usually stretch extensively.
• If a sheep takes a long time to get into a lying position, it is probably in pain.
• Sheep can also suffer from stress. If so, they have trouble relaxing.
• Ruminating – resting during the day

To satisfy their need for rest, sheep rest during the day while ruminating. In this process, the animals regurgitate the previously only coarsely chewed food, chew it thoroughly and finally swallow it back down. Because of their different stomachs, sheep are able to digest plant foods that are indigestible to other herbivores. The sheep’s digestive system is well adapted to their meager diet, giving them the ability to rest even while awake.

Ruminating takes up most of the resting period of sheep. During this process, sheep lie in an upright position.

Where do sheep sleep?

Sheep can theoretically sleep anywhere they are content and feel safe. When given the opportunity, free-ranging sheep often choose higher places to sleep – such as hills. Flocks of sheep usually move together to their chosen roost during dusk.

As long as the night is calm and the small ruminants do not feel threatened, they remain in the same spot throughout the night. The animals usually sleep close together because the herd provides them with shelter and warmth. The warmth is especially important after shearing sheep in the spring.

Where do sheep sleep in the winter?

Depending on the time of year and weather, sheep’s preferred sleeping location may change. Most sheep can easily spend the night outdoors during the winter due to their dense wool. However, during the cold months, make sure the animals have a sheltered and dry spot outside.

NOTE:

Exceptions include high-bearing ewes, ewes with newborn lambs, and sheep with health problems. These should spend the night in a warm barn or in a barn with housing facilities for sheep.

How do lambs sleep?

During the first days of their lives, lambs sleep a lot. Healthy lambs usually drink their ewe’s milk once or twice an hour and then go back to sleep. The little lambs spend about eight to twelve hours a day sleeping. During sleep, lambs lie as close as possible to their mothers for warmth and protection.

Healthy lambs usually stretch extensively when they get up. If a lamb stands huddled, it may indicate that it is hungry or sick.

NOTE:

Lambs will tolerate lower temperatures in the barn if they are dry and getting adequate milk from their ewe.

Can sheep dream?

Since sheep also spend part of their sleep in so-called REM sleep, there is some evidence to suggest that they dream. As mentioned above, REM sleep accounts for only 2 to 2.5 percent of total sleep in sheep. During this stage of sleep, the brain is particularly active and the eyelids of the sleeping animal move rapidly. This could indicate that sheep also dream during sleep.

TIP:

In our guide “How do cows sleep?” you can learn interesting facts about the sleep of cows.