Hello from upstate SC

[Devonviolet]

My son lives in central NC. So, he's not too far from y'all.

Kyle is between Austin and San Antonio, which is about five hours from us. Texas a a big state. It's a lot drier there, than where we are. The beauty of having sheep and goats is, depending on the breed, sheep and goats is they adapt to a wide variety of climates. Have y'all considered long hair goats (like Angora or Cashmere)? They can be sheared, for spinning as well.

We ran into a couple, when we lived in PA, who raised Angora goats. The wife sheared them and sold the wool to a wool exchange in the area.

 

[Redneck Hippy]

Yeah, Angora goats was one of the first ones my wife was looking at. I think we want to start with sheep though, as they aren't quite the fence testers goats are (we hope lol). We really want to try and do heritage breeds as much as possible. Jacob sheep are high on our list at the moment.

 

[Devonviolet]

I think we want to start with sheep though, as they aren't quite the fence testers goats are (we hope lol)

Our LaMancha's do like to rub along the fencing. But as long as they do it on the 2×4", no climb, horse fencing, they don't hurt the fence. Our 4 weathered Nigerian Dwarfs did do a number on the welded wire fencing that the previous owner put around the chicken yard.

Recently saw a comment by @The Old Ram-Australia, that he is transitioning to Dorpers. One of the problems he mentions is that they rub on fencing. He also says that barbed wire and sheep don't work well together. If I understood what he said in one recent post, he uses one strand of barbed, low, and non-barbed high tensile wire, at the rub level. Maybe he will comment & clarify how to deal with rubbing.

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

G'day, I think you are confusing a reply from Bosssroo regarding the sheep rubbing on fences,our problem is not the rubbing but to contain them in the paddock of "our" choice.I do not yet fully understand how the "shedding" works yet with Dorpers,but generally speaking "rubbing" in sheep and goats is either "lice or grass seeds" irritating the animal.

Currently I am working on a few options for containment which I will detail in due course..T.O.R.

 

[Devonviolet]

I do not yet fully understand how the "shedding" works yet with Dorpers.

@Baymule used to have a Dorper Ram, and has part Dorpers ewes. Maybe she can answer that for you.

 

[Baymule]

Some shed off good, some don't and keep a raggedy looking last year's winter rug on them. I like to see them slick out in the spring and completely shed out the winter "fur".

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Welcome to the forum @Redneck Hippy !

Don't let some of those stories you read/hear about goats scare you. We currently have 40ish goats, all stay behind 4ft cattle fence, most of them used to live behind 4 stand electric wire. We never had an issue with escaping goats.

The jacobs sheep on the other hand
Always getting out! We couldn't keep them contained!
I recommend hard fences with electric wire.

 

[Mini Horses]

Welcome from VA. I'm about 3 hrs from Shenandoah but, love the area! Used to go there more often than now.

You need to decide your goals with the sheep/goats that you want. Fiber, meat, milk, etc. Then begin looking at breeds to fit your uses. There are many choices, some dual purpose, others not so much. Lot of sheep & goat people on here. They can sure give you pros & cons on the animal types.

Whatever you decide -- we love pictures!! OK, even pictures of your green beans...we aren't picky! Surely you plan a garden!

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

G'day, I forgot one other reason for wool on the fence-line. We have one or two ewes for whatever reason always decide that the grass in the paddock next to the fence is so much better than whats on offer.You will find that along the fence there will be wool on the 2nd/3rd or 3rd/4th wire because as she puts her head through she "rubs" the top and bottom of her neck,it is annoying and the only answer seems to be the "freezer".So Baymule do you shear them each spring to keep them "clean looking"?..T.O.R.

 

[Latestarter]

Completely forgot I had the following two links. Many have found them quite helpful. Maybe you'll gain from them...

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=sheepbreed

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=uncommonsheep