Farm Sheep

[John Deere Girl]

We are wanting to add sheep to our farm in the next 6 months. We'd like to raise them for food and fiber. While I know quite a bit about cows, goats, poultry, and rabbits, I know very little about sheep. I know they can't have copper, so I wouldn't run them with goats, I know the rams are never to be trusted, but that's it. I plan to learn to shear them myself. I know there are several here with sheep, so any suggestions on breeds or really anything is appreciated.

 

[shepherdess]

I enjoy my sheep, and they are a very productive part of the farm. There are so many breeds, each unique, and the fiber from each breed has its own distinct qualities and use. Get a breed you love and interests you. There a particular breed that interests you now?

 

[John Deere Girl]

I enjoy my sheep, and they are a very productive part of the farm. There are so many breeds, each unique, and the fiber from each breed has its own distinct qualities and use. Get a breed you love and interests you. There a particular breed that interests you now?

No idea, I'm hoping for suggestions. I want to provide food for our family, but several of our kids are interested in fiber.

 

[moldy]

PM Broken Arrow. She is a sheep whisperer.

 

[LYKURGOS]

The fiber hassle is why we raise hair sheep. I had a wooly sheep or two and despise shearing them. When you hate shearing and procrastinate that is not good for the sheep.

I’ve learned not to work them too much in the heat. Stress kills sheep. Lost two registered ram lams within 15 minutes of clipping hooves, worming and putting into a new paddock with the sheep dog. Too many stressors they fell over dead lost $600 in 15 minutes 15 years ago

 

[Dux]

I just adopted 4 hair lambs, Katahtin. They're skittish but friendly. Really easy keepers. We had been giving them a lamb supplement, now we're giving them COB (corn-oats-barley-molasses) for treats. I plan to buy a ram next spring. For meat and keeping the grass mowed. No shearing.