Sheep vs goat..

[secuono]

The mini babydolls.
I want to get the ewes in spring when they are weaned and I can better bond with them. Getting them now they will be older and more sheep like. I can wait until the spring after this coming one to get a ram lamb and raise him up to breeding. I read sheep breed in the fall naturally, don't Babydolls also do this or are they southern made so they breed year round?

 

[that's*satyrical]

Ms. Research
Herd Nerd On A MissionLMAO!!! How did you get the custom label??

Sorry to hijack....

 

[boykin2010]

None of my sheep have ever gotten out. They respect boundaries unlike goats.
sheep like to graze more than goats. Goats need more weeds and brush. Wool is increasing in the USA but is better in some areas rather than others.
If you plan on raising something for meat, i would definately go with sheep. Some people like the taste of goat but some dont. Ive never met anybody that doesnt like lamb!
You dont have to keep a ram year round if you dont want to. Some people buy a ram, let him breed the ewes then when the deed is done eat the ram. That way you dont have to a separate place for him to stay almost all year.

 

[melody]

I have 2 sheep (Kat/Dorp mix) and 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are my yard maintenance crew and it seems to have worked. I have only had the lawn mower out once this year and that was late spring just after I bought the sheep.
They forage everywhere and my youngest sheep is as good a browser as the goats. They consider my sister and I their herd leaders so the only fencing problem we seem to have is them trying to get to us. As long as your fence opening is small enough that they cannot just go through, and you have enough pasture for all to wander and eat freely, you should be OK with either.

 

[Ms. Research]

Ms. Research
Herd Nerd On A MissionLMAO!!! How did you get the custom label??

Sorry to hijack....

Just a title. Been called worse. Glad it gave you a chuckle.

 

[SheepGirl]

If you want a dual-purpose sheep, do not go with the Babydoll Southdowns. I have some crosses, but they are not that meaty. If you want a dual-purpose sheep (one to be raised for both meat and wool), get some Columbias, Corriedales, Finnsheep, Panamas, Polypays, or Targhees. These are all breeds primarily used in commercial production because they produce good carcasses and good wool. Because they are used in commercial production, you can usually find a farmer with some aged ewes (five or six years old) for sale that are still otherwise productive, but not suited for their operation anymore.

There really is nothing special about Babydoll wool. They are Southdowns, but American Southdowns are bred for their meat quality and Babydolls are primarily bred now just for novelty with no regard to carcass quality or production characteristics.

 

[Ms. Research]

If you want a dual-purpose sheep, do not go with the Babydoll Southdowns. I have some crosses, but they are not that meaty. If you want a dual-purpose sheep (one to be raised for both meat and wool), get some Columbias, Corriedales, Finnsheep, Panamas, Polypays, or Targhees. These are all breeds primarily used in commercial production because they produce good carcasses and good wool. Because they are used in commercial production, you can usually find a farmer with some aged ewes (five or six years old) for sale that are still otherwise productive, but not suited for their operation anymore.

There really is nothing special about Babydoll wool. They are Southdowns, but American Southdowns are bred for their meat quality and Babydolls are primarily bred now just for novelty with no regard to carcass quality or production characteristics.

Thanks so much SheepGirl for your list of dual-purpose sheep. As much as I love Southdowns, and maybe one will find one on our Livestock Adventure as a sweet pet, I'm really looking at the Corriedales. I think that would be the best dual-purpose sheep for our Adventure. Do you know anyone who is successful with this breed?

 

[secuono]

I am stuck on Babydolls and that is what I'm getting.
I'm not selling their meat nor selling their wool for a fair price. If I do sell it, it's for cheap so it's out the door and not just sitting around taking up space. Ram lambs will be sold, if they won't sell they will be eaten. Our rabbits are for food. I went with Babydolls because of their size, I don't want a big ugly thing wandering the yard...