A Geep?..yes a Goat-Sheep Hybrid

[L J]

Here are a couple updated pics, over the last 2 days. He is now 35 days old.
He fell asleep in the 1st pic.

 

[norseofcourse]

Since this was an unexpected addition, they would really just be pets. (I'd like to just get 1-2 more) I've searched around rescue sites, as I have some good connections in that arena. It's sad how many goats and sheep are neglected or abandoned.(which gives concern for transmitting disease) I do have good friends who can help me with the shearing, so that won't be an issue. From what I've been reading, sounds like males are ok to be around each other?

Pets are fun (and you can get some wool to play around with, or give to friends). There are sheep breeds that shed - either hair sheep like Kathadins, or primitive wool breeds like Shetland and Icelandic, among others. Neutered males (wethers) should be ok around each other, and I think wethers and ewes would be ok too (someone with more experience chime in please!).

I'm concerned though about the plants around here. I just bought this place last fall, and it was a repo- so the pasture was basically left to rot. Its rocky, so I can't just til it up. I am not sure what the frozen/snowed over plant life is out there. some of it may be sage brush ( I live in Northeastern Washington state) I've read a lot on what plants can kill goat or sheep. Thinking maybe I need to figure a way to dry lot and just feed grass hay til I can fix up and actual pasture next spring. Suggestions?

Some sheep love the brushy stuff too, mine do! But of course you'd want to check what plants you have that may be harmful. Many poisonous plants are said to taste bad, so they aren't as likely to be eaten unless there's not much else to eat - but that's not true of them all. I am still trying to identify some of my pasture plants, and removing ones I find out can be harmful. Or removing invasives that aren't harmful but they don't like to eat, like garlic mustard.

 

[norseofcourse]

Oh, and I forgot to ask, just curious - does his tail stick straight up like a goat, or hang down like a sheep? Did you happen to notice how the twin's tail was?

 

[SillyChicken]

good thought on the tail norseofcourse!
..
Here would be my two cents.. wait till you know what you have. sheep and goats require different food and minerals. goats need copper, copper kills sheep. it would be foolish to get one and find out you have the other.

I would also strongly recommend NOT getting it castrated until at least 6 months old so he has time to properly develop his boy bits. Or you will be dealing with other issues that are painful if not deadly for whethers. (I know I have one suffering from urinary stones).

He is very cute and looks very much like a hair sheep to me.

 

[jooniper]

Oh how interesting!! Whatever he is he's adorable. Do you have any pics of him standing?? Excited to see how he turns out

 

[L J]

Oh, and I forgot to ask, just curious - does his tail stick straight up like a goat, or hang down like a sheep? Did you happen to notice how the twin's tail was?

His tail hangs low, although he wags it frantically when he is excited and when he eats. The vet said his tail is longer than normal. Ive also noticed its kind of crooked at the end. The sisters tail was the same. I actually still have her, frozen in my freezer. I was hoping a vet school would be interested in studying her, but I'm not finding much interest.

 

[L J]

Oh how interesting!! Whatever he is he's adorable. Do you have any pics of him standing?? Excited to see how he turns out

He was about 3-4 days old in this pic. I will try and get some new ones in the next day or so.

 

[luvmypets]

He was about 3-4 days old in this pic. I will try and get some new ones in the next day or so.
View attachment 7115

-dies of cuteness-

 

[SillyChicken]

So cute... it's going to be a hard one to manage... I would be really curious what his mineral requirements will be.
I would pick sheep cause I think they are more docile with eachother than goats are.


Have you tried Michigan State University? They are a heavy farming institution.

 

[Sweetened]

I would also put him with sheep. The sheep mineral blocks have low levels of copper, and if he becomes copper deficient, you could bolus him.