Crash Course in Sheep Please; I'M A SHEEP OWNER!!!

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I need a crash course in sheep. A friend of mine is retiring, and selling her flock of Barbados to me for a ridiculously low price. I am SO not ready to add another flock of animals, but the deal is so good I can't pass it up.... and I have 1 week to get ready.... so please tell me what I need to know about sheep!!!


Thank you!

 

[Bridgemoof]

Wow that's fun! How many sheep? Sheep are pretty much the same as goats. Fencing, hay, water, minerals (no copper though). If any are pregnant, grain. Barbados are hair sheep so you don't even need to worry about wool and shearing. Sheep like to graze on grass whereas goats like to browse on shrubby things. The same things you worry about with goats apply to the sheep. Bloat, hoof troubles, parasites, etc. What else do you need to know?

 

[promiseacres]

These sheep are usually more flighty than others and may jump a 4' fence if pushed. A good catch area is a must! My hair sheep took a good 3 mos to become somewhat friendly with feed involved.... the barbados website has good info too. Oh they do not have a "season" can breed anytime

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Wow that's fun! How many sheep? Sheep are pretty much the same as goats. Fencing, hay, water, minerals (no copper though). If any are pregnant, grain. Barbados are hair sheep so you don't even need to worry about wool and shearing. Sheep like to graze on grass whereas goats like to browse on shrubby things. The same things you worry about with goats apply to the sheep. Bloat, hoof troubles, parasites, etc. What else do you need to know?

Hi Bridge! Thank you! There are 3 mamas, a herd sire, and their babies; I think two babies have been born so far, and more on their way.

We don't have much grass for them, but could I give them a some after I rake it up after weed whacking?

Do they eat alfalfa 24/7 like goats?

I have 5' horse corral I am setting up for them wrapped with field fence; just like for my goats. Will this work? My friend says she has never had them jump a fence, though they probably can.

Do I just go to the feedstore and ask for sheep minerals? What's the best kind? I use sweetlix for my goats.

Thank in advance!

 

[SheepGirl]

You're drylotting, correct?

Housing - A three sided shelter with 4' fencing. Can be higher, but I would not recommend lower. Plan on at least 30 sq ft/sheep in the lot plus 12 sq ft/sheep in the shelter.

Feeding - They can be fed alfalfa hay, but if they're not used to it, do not let them eat too much because they may bloat on it. The ewes will be eating extra because they are lactating/pregnant. I feed Southern States brand minerals, but any mineral would work as long as it's labeled for sheep only (sheep/goat minerals may be too high in copper).

I think that's all the important information lol

 

[woodsie]

The only other thing that is different that hasn't been mentioned is there is special grain mix for sheep that does not have as much copper. I can't feed them the same dairy tex ration that I do my goats because it is too high in copper.

Oh and avoid bottle feeding a ram lamb that you are planning on keeping or selling as a herd sire, can lead to a disaster as they lose their weariness of people and can be very dangerous.

I still would love to get a Barbados sheep, I love their colouring! Best of luck!

 

[alsea1]

You want as high a fence as possible. And an inner hot wire to keep them off of it as well. Otherwise they will wallow it out and the ram will beat the heck out of it.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

You're drylotting, correct?

Housing - A three sided shelter with 4' fencing. Can be higher, but I would not recommend lower. Plan on at least 30 sq ft/sheep in the lot plus 12 sq ft/sheep in the shelter.

Feeding - They can be fed alfalfa hay, but if they're not used to it, do not let them eat too much because they may bloat on it. The ewes will be eating extra because they are lactating/pregnant. I feed Southern States brand minerals, but any mineral would work as long as it's labeled for sheep only (sheep/goat minerals may be too high in copper).

I think that's all the important information lol

Yes we're drylotted. I have some extra 4x8' pieces of plywood to build them a shelter- no worries there.

The lady said they are on freefeed bermuda grass hay and get about a flake of alfalfa to split between them all at night. Should I continue this or can I just switch them over to all alfalfa?

Do they need grain or can I skip it?

 

[SheepGirl]

Ideally you could feed them grain but if you are going to be feeding them alfalfa (limit it to about 2-3 lbs/hd the first couple of days so they don't overeat, and then you can put it out free choice like you do with your goats) then you probably won't need to. If grain is cheaper per lb to feed than extra alfalfa for the pregnant and lactating ewes, save yourself some money and go ahead and buy grain (the general rule of thumb is that 1 lb of grain can replace 2 lbs of hay).

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Do sheep get the same CD&T vaccine as the goats? Same schedule?