cedarhillfiberfarm
Ridin' The Range
I am finally getting my first sheep!
One is a Cormo x Finn and the other one is a Shetland. Both ewes needed a retirement home where they would never risk getting bred, and my farm is the perfect place!
I have goats, and I feel like I know basic sheep needs, but I'd love to hear your advice for a first time sheep owner.
They will share pasture with my Angora goats, but I am putting them separate at night so the goats can have their minerals and feed containing copper. The goats have a stall in my small barn, but I am going to build a small shelter for the sheep. I'm thinking portable, but I don't want something a strong wind is going to knock over. (Not like we ever have very strong winds in Kentucky) I'm also debating if I should put them up at night or just let them come and go. I think we have coyotes on the back of the property, but as far as I know, they have never come near the barn, especially with the donkey and mule on patrol.
The goats are shut in at night, and some days when it is raining or snowing in the winter. Angoras are notoriously delicate, but I get the impression that sheep are not.
Also, any special considerations for senior sheep? One is 9 and the other one 11. The nine year old is missing a few teeth, but supposedly eats fine as long as she doesn't have a lot of completion for her food.
Thank you for any advice!
One is a Cormo x Finn and the other one is a Shetland. Both ewes needed a retirement home where they would never risk getting bred, and my farm is the perfect place!
I have goats, and I feel like I know basic sheep needs, but I'd love to hear your advice for a first time sheep owner.
They will share pasture with my Angora goats, but I am putting them separate at night so the goats can have their minerals and feed containing copper. The goats have a stall in my small barn, but I am going to build a small shelter for the sheep. I'm thinking portable, but I don't want something a strong wind is going to knock over. (Not like we ever have very strong winds in Kentucky) I'm also debating if I should put them up at night or just let them come and go. I think we have coyotes on the back of the property, but as far as I know, they have never come near the barn, especially with the donkey and mule on patrol.
The goats are shut in at night, and some days when it is raining or snowing in the winter. Angoras are notoriously delicate, but I get the impression that sheep are not.
Also, any special considerations for senior sheep? One is 9 and the other one 11. The nine year old is missing a few teeth, but supposedly eats fine as long as she doesn't have a lot of completion for her food.
Thank you for any advice!
And wonderful you're taking in some retirees! Our first one was not planned ... went to the livestock auction to sell some rabbits and buy some chicks/eggs, left with a 3 week old on-the-bottle Katahdin. Saw her outside the auction, then they sat in front of me with her ... couldn't resist! Bought a male from a friend a few weeks ago that is slightly older than she is, and they're attached at the hip.
Hope you'll share some pics when you get the chance.
