Which method is used to determine the age of sheep?

• A. Horn rings
• B. Top teeth
• C. Bottom teeth
• D. Mutton joints in carcasses

Answer: (A)

A quick field method to estimate a sheep’s age is to look at the horns and count the growth rings. Each year, the horn adds a new ring as it grows, so counting these rings gives an approximate age. This method is fast and noninvasive, which is handy when inspecting many animals. Of course, factors like nutrition or horn damage can affect ring formation, so it’s an estimate rather than an exact age. Other options aren’t practical for age in the field: teeth-based aging is possible but not as immediate as horn rings in this context, and using meat from a carcass doesn’t reveal how old the animal was.