# Normal Temperature, Heart Rate & Respiratory Rate of Sheep (Ewes & Lambs)

> Normal vital signs of sheep: rectal temperature 38.3–39.9 °C (100.9–103.8 °F), resting heart rate 70–80 beats/min, respiratory rate 16–34 breaths/min — three references and lamb values compared.

- Source page: https://wevet.in/normal-values/sheep-2/
- Type: Normal values
- Publisher: WeVet
- Updated: 2026-11-01
- Audience: veterinarians and veterinary students

Reference ranges for the vital signs of sheep from the MSD Veterinary Manual tables, adapted from *Dukes' Physiology of Domestic Animals* [1][2][3], compared with Virginia Cooperative Extension [4] and the UC Davis California Veterinary Emergency Team [5], including lambs.

## Reference ranges

| Parameter | Sheep | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rectal temperature | 38.3–39.9 °C (100.9–103.8 °F) | [1] |
| Resting heart rate | 70–80 beats/min | [2] |
| Resting respiratory rate | 16–34 breaths/min | [3] |

## How the references compare

Published reference ranges differ between sources. Each range below is printed as its source gives it; °C values marked * are converted from the source's °F. Virginia Cooperative Extension gives one range for sheep and goats together.

| Parameter | MSD Veterinary Manual [1][2][3] | Virginia Cooperative Extension [4] | UC Davis CVET [5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature, adult | 38.3–39.9 °C (100.9–103.8 °F) | 102.2–104.9 °F (39.0–40.5 °C*) | 102–103.5 °F (38.9–39.7 °C*) |
| Heart rate, adult (beats/min) | 70–80 | 60–90 | 60–120 |
| Respiratory rate, adult (breaths/min) | 16–34 | 12–20 | 12–72 |

## Lambs

| Parameter | UC Davis CVET [5] |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 102.5–104 °F (39.2–40.0 °C*) |
| Heart rate (beats/min) | 120–160 |
| Respiratory rate (breaths/min) | 30–70 |

## Measuring

- Temperature: a veterinary thermometer in the rectum, removed after 2 to 3 minutes or after the interval recommended by the manufacturer [4].
- Pulse: place a hand on the inside of the thigh — the saphenous artery runs down the inside of the hind leg [4].
- Respiration: count flank movements or breaths at the nostrils for one minute at rest [4]; respiration rate is influenced by stress, exercise, temperature and other factors [4].
- The UC Davis chart lists rumen contractions with a soft rumen as normal [5].

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the normal temperature of a sheep?

The MSD Veterinary Manual table gives 38.3–39.9 °C (100.9–103.8 °F) [1]; Virginia Cooperative Extension gives 102.2–104.9 °F for sheep and goats [4].

### What is the normal heart rate of a sheep?

70–80 beats per minute in the MSD table [2]; 60–90 in Virginia Cooperative Extension [4] and 60–120 for adults in the UC Davis chart [5].

### Where do you take the pulse of a sheep?

On the inside of the thigh, over the saphenous artery that runs down the inside of the hind leg [4].

## References

[1] Normal Rectal Temperature Ranges (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges
[2] Resting Heart Rates (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates
[3] Resting Respiratory Rates (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-respiratory-rates
[4] Monitoring Livestock Vital Signs — Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech and Virginia State University) (2020). https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/APSC/APSC-169/APSC-169.html
[5] Normal Vital Signs (vitals chart) — California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), University of California, Davis (June 2024). https://cvet.sf.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk13661/files/inline-files/CVET%20Vital%20Signs%2006_2024.pdf

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Numbers in [brackets] cite the references above. For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.
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