Goats or Sheep?

[Boondachs]

OK, here it goes. We are looking for 2 goats OR sheep. We plan to keep them as pets. We have no intrest in raising them for meat or milk, but as overgrown weed controll. So my question is, goat or sheep? Easy question right? BUT wait! theres a catch, we would like to put them to one more use.....fiber producers. As my wife LOVES to spin, we figured that it would be great to have our pets give us some fiber....well now your saying sheep, right??? Well we would like the easiest contained, family friendly, easily contained (yes, i said it twice) pets. I THINK she is intrested in the Shetland sheep, but will these provide any weed controll? OK thanks in advance.

 

[freemotion]

I don't know too much about sheep, but my goats have cleared all the brush in my pasture as well as all the leafy weeds. I am now letting them work on other areas of the property by taking them out for an hour or two with observation (coyote territory!) and they work fast!

There are fiber goats, too! But I imagine that per animal, sheep likely produce more fiber per year than a goat.

You need a couple of each!

 

[bheila]

I say goats....but thats because I have them I've always wanted a sheep but purely for eye candy. Have you considered cashmere, angora or pygora's? What size are you considering?

 

[Boondachs]

size not an issue, but on the smaller size i guess. We are thinking angora but we know my wife is allergic to the angora rabbits. Doubt she would be allergic to the goat, BUT if she is, it wouldnt be good.

 

[wynedot55]

then i would go with the goats to clean up your over grown areas.an a sheep or 2 for the wool.

 

[bheila]

Well if your going for small then either go with an angora or a shetland. Goats go for the weeds and blackberries. Sheep tend to go for the grass more, at least with all of the farms we deliver hay to that's how it goes. Heck, just get one of each.

I'm getting frustrated that I have to go mow our tiny pasture because the goats are too busy sticking their heads through the fence to eat the blackberry bushes instead of the nice green grass in the pasture Tell me again why I reseeded

 

[Boondachs]

hummmm one of each...hummm would that work???? maybe an angora goat and a shetland sheep? still have to check to make sure the wife isnt allergic to the angora goat.

 

[bheila]

If you get one of each then you have to worry about separating the minerals and/or feed though. Something to think about....the amount of copper that goats require will kill a sheep. So much to think about, I know.
Find someone with an angora and rub your wife all over it

 

[pattyjean73]

I would say both. Goats will eat up weeds and brush but won't touch the grass too much therefore you'll still have to mow the area. Sheep on the other hand will eat the grass and won't hardly touch the weeds and brush. I'm SERIOUSLY considering getting a few head of sheep just for this reason. Yes, goats and sheep have different nutritional needs. BUT if all you have are a few head it wouldn't be too much more effort to train them to go to a feeding station. Just clip them to their station and feed them their grains seperately. Problem solved! And you'll have the answer to all your needs. *Grins*

I want sheep! Wonder if I can convince my husband?

 

[freemotion]

Or make two stalls and keep them in at night, each with their separate minerals and such. Depends on where you live and how you plan to house them, how much daily work you want (some of us enjoy the details! Some don't....) and if you go away now and then, it is good to keep the care routine very simple for your goat/sheep sitter.