HI everyone

[Moses Starr]

I am new to this website I am so use to Back Yard Chickens, I currently have 32 chickens and am thinking about sheep but I don't know anything about them I don't know any breeds like chickens but I know they are somewhat like chickens they need the basic food, water, hay, a roof some copper, sheep mineral and a strong fence can anyone help me here
https://www.backyardherds.com/threads/sheep.38498/#post-570626

 

[OneFineAcre]

I am new to this website I am so use to Back Yard Chickens, I currently have 32 chickens and am thinking about sheep but I don't know anything about them I don't know any breeds like chickens but I know they are somewhat like chickens they need the basic food, water, hay, a roof some copper, sheep mineral and a strong fence can anyone help me here
https://www.backyardherds.com/threads/sheep.38498/#post-570626

I'm a goat person
Don't do sheep
But I'm.pretty sure sheep do not need copper

 

[Devonviolet]

Hello Moses Star. It’s so nice to have you join us!

I, too, am a goat person. I have four dairy goats and a Myotonic (Fainting Goat) buck, to put meat on my kids. I do not know a lot about sheep. However, I do know that sheep should not have copper added to their minerals and feed. Goats, on the other hand, do need copper added, in their loose minerals and/or feed.

You may have already seen, that we have both sheep and goat people, here on BYH. I would suggest, that before you decide on one or the other. Each breed has it’s pluses and minuses. @Baymule has had sheep for the past 3-1/2 years, and she has learned a LOT about different breeds as well as breeding for Spring lambs. She also has some good insights into feed, shelters, livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), which are essential if you are going to have livestock.

We who own them, think that a minimum of 2 LGDs is necessary to protect our livestock. We have 2 Maremma’s (similar to Great Pyrenese, but different), who are AMAZING LGDs. We have never lost one animal (goats AND poultry) to preditors, and we have a LOT of coyotes, hawks, bobcats, racoons and owls. Our LGDs are with our livestock 24/7. They are most active at night. And it seems most predators are active at night. Many nights I hear them howling, in response to the howls of the coyotes. In other words, “I hear you, and you had better not come near, if you know what’s good for you”. Our female, Violet, actually “guards the sky”. Many times I have seen her look up at a hawk, flying overhead. She then jumps up on the fence and barks her head off, at which time, the hawk flies away, and leaves our chickens and ducks alone.

Again, welcome to BYH. I wish you the best in your search for the right animals for you. Just make sure you keep an open mind and do lots of research before you buy.

 

[Latestarter]

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=sheepbreed
http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=uncommonsheep
Enjoy and have some fun

 

[Baymule]

Hi Moses! I have hair sheep. They are Dorper and Katahdin mix. I am still in the learning stage, but my sheep make it easy for me. I don't give them copper, sheep accumulate copper in their liver and it can kill them.

I love the Polish in your avatar!

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

I love my Nigerian Dwarf goats and their antics and their milk! And I enjoy my mostly Buckeye chickens. But I don't own an LGD and don't know that they would work on the acre and a half surrounded by suburbs where my goats and chickens live. There are dogs, foxes, and even coyote about at times, but I rely on good fencing for the most part. Welcome to BYH!

 

[Moses Starr]

I have 2 dogs but they are not LGDs I have had 2 coyotes kill my flock before except for the rooster I just now learned that they dont need copper, I just took sheep over goats because my mom doesn't want goats, she is convinced they eat everything I originally wanted goats! I still have a lot to learn but I know it will fun

 

[RollingAcres]

Hello @Moses Starr and welcome to BYH!
I don't know anything about sheep. I know @Mike CHS has sheep and could probably share some of his knowledge with you.

 

[Bruce]

Goats don't eat everything, they only eat what they can reach