Was offered some sheep..

[secuono]

There's a video on FB of an ewe using a Kissing Gate.
And another on FB of an ewe doing tricks, weaving poles and such.
I have an ewe who I could train, Tatiana, she's got the right personality for it. I think some of my others might also be able to learn a few tricks, since they are bold enough around treat time, lol.


It's normal for a lot of spieces to give birth away from the flock or herd, then come back once the baby is up, active and bonded to mom.

 

[Gorman Farm]

Yikes, So my Grandfather came up to me yesterday and told me he had a friend who's having a hard time keeping his two pet sheep, And was wondering if I could take them in? Now, I've never raised sheep before, Just pigs, Horses, and Goats.. What are they like? What type of housing do they need? How hardy are they? What should they eat? Should I take them in? I would have to make room for them somewhere in the barn or in with my goats before I could actually make a proper house for them.. I Have an old playhouse that I could tear off the walls and replace with plywood. And replace the roof.. But I don't think it's big enough? it's about 7' x 3'.. Sounds too small for two sheep. I really don't have the money to build another pen but if I will do any of you have suggestions for cheap sheep pens? The guy who owns the sheep is having a hard time keeping him due to his neighbors but doesn't want to give them up since they are his pets.. He's friends with my grandfather and apparently my grandfather said something to him about me have a farm with a whole bunch of animals and what-not and could probably take them in. Is there a possibility i could keep them in with my horses for the winter or is that a big No? I also have a-somewhat large trailer, 6w x 10l I could put a whole bunch of straw in and stick them in there inside my goat pen which is about an acre of fence in property.. Would that work? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

I am reading a lot of mixed answers here. I was wondering how big is your horse pasture? I have sheep and I live in a rural area of Florida, my neighbor has a couple sheep in with a few cows and a horse and they all live peacefully. His pasture is about 10-12 acres. I wouldn't house goats and sheep together because the feeding requirements are different. How big is your goat pasture? As far as housing goes find out what they are used to already? I have an old 2 stall walk in horse barn that is inside the pasture fence, I keep one stall door open in case they want shelter, they rarely use it, mostly during heavy rain. A 3 sided run in will do especially since you are not going to breed. It does not need to be very tall, just 5ft or so, and maybe 8 ft wide for 2 sheep. Many sheep farmers leave sheep in pastures with no shelters. When the pasture is sparse they will need minerals and hay available, you don't really need to give feed if you aren't growing them for slaughter or breeding. My sheep like just plain orchard grass or what we call here local coastal hay, see what they have been eating from previous owner. Side note when I first got them I bought them expensive alfalfa and timothy hay and they didn't eat it..You mentioned you are getting cows, how large is that pasture? You can pasture them with cows, I see that where I live often.

 

[Bruce]

You can pasture them with cows, I see that where I live often.

Big change from the range wars in the 1800's.

 

[High Desert Cowboy]

A lot has changed from the range wars. My friend uses the pasture just north of my home for calving, and this year he’s added 150 pregnant ewes in there with them. Apparently they decided to try raising sheep as well but didn’t have anywhere else to put them. I’m seeing some calves and lambs on the ground and apparently there’s no trouble between the two, though some of the good old boys are grumbling that running the two together isn’t “kosher”

 

[Bruce]

They can be run in succession. I've read that rotating cattle, then sheep, then chickens through a pasture is really good for it's health. Don't let any of them overgraze it though. Of course that is not a problem during the chickens' rotation.

 

[greenacres]

I have A small flock of Babydoll (wool) sheep, and they have always been housed with my Goats and my donkeys/pony. There has never been a problem, for 6 years. I make sure that there is no copper in the mineral I leave out and I bolus the goats. Everyone gets along, but the goats and the pony are the boss. In fact, the donkeys really love the sheep. You do not need to feed the sheep any extra grain. All they need is good quality Hay. Be careful if you give them extra grain -- they will get too fat. In terms of housing, I had my sheep in Nebraska in only a three sided shelter. I am now in Washington state, and they have a barn because of the rain. They have done fine in both. I love my sheep, I wouldn't hesitate adopting the ones you have been offered, they make great pets

 

[PetSheep]

Hi I think I have only commented one other time but this one I cannot pass up - the only thing I would add is sheep make incredibly wonderful pets -

I live in rural north central FL and I bottle fed and raised in my living room, two Gulf Coast Native sheep - I was a goat person before I got my sheep: Poopie and Muffin [isn't Muffin cute?! that's her as a baby]

My sheep are wool sheep and must be sheared once a year - some breeds must be sheared more often - their first shearing was done by a guy from Australia who used to travel to the US for shearing - now, my shearing is done by a guy from NC who schedules me when he is in my area - prices vary considerably - there is a travel fee then a fee per sheep -

Mine were raised as pets and are very playful and silly - free roaming in the yard and Muffin will come up my steps into my pet room when it is raining - she doesn't like the rain or her barn -

Good luck - I hope you really enjoy them

 

[Bruce]

@PetSheep, we don't mind if you comment much more. And post pictures

 

[RathdrumGal]

I've never raised sheep before, Just pigs, Horses, and Goats.. What are they like? What type of housing do they need? How hardy are they? What should they eat? Should I take them in? I would have to make room for them somewhere in the barn or in with my goats before I could actually make a proper house for them..

I have 4 full sized sheep with my NDG. The biggest problem for me is that 1) goats need copper and 2) copper will kill sheep (sheep's liver do not process copper, so it will slowly kill them from copper toxicity). I feed a multi species grain and minerals WITHOUT copper, and then supplement the goats with copper. Sheep are very hearty animals. Even hair sheep will get a wooly coat for cold weather that sheds during the spring. Even in the coldest weather, our sheep elect to sleep outside. Goats are friendlier, cuter, and more naughty than sheep -- overall they have more personality. If not hair sheep, you will have to arrange for shearing once or twice a year. If decent quality wool, you should be able to sell their fleece and recoup some of your feed costs.

Sheep will spook if you raise your hands above their head -- like if you go to pet them on the top of their head. Make friends with sheep by scratching their chins.

 

[Ridgetop]

Yikes, So my Grandfather came up to me yesterday and told me he had a friend who's having a hard time keeping his two pet sheep, And was wondering if I could take them in? Now, I've never raised sheep before, Just pigs, Horses, and Goats.. What are they like? What type of housing do they need? How hardy are they? What should they eat? Should I take them in?QUOTE]

This is all great information BUT to get back to the original question "Should I take them in?" Can you afford the extra work, feed expense, etc? You said that you don't have the money to build additional shelters. Do you have the money to feed 2 more mouths, and if they are wool sheep, pay for someone to shear each year. Since you have never had sheep it is probably safe to say that you don't have any shearing equipment either so you will have to pay some one else to shear every year.

Have they been vaccinated ? Do they have abcesses? When was the last time they were shorn? Have they been wormed recently and treated for keds or other parasites? If these sheep are not completely healthy your herd can pick up something that will empty your wallet PDQ leaving only your vet as a winner here.

The question of whether or not they make good pets really doesn't matter since you are not actually shopping for pet sheep. These have just been offered to you. You said that they would belong to you since you will be feeding them, housing them, paying for shearing, etc., with right of visitation. Are you willing to have a stranger coming onto your property when it may not be convenient for you? Do you have LGDs? What would the LGD do if the previous owner arrived when you were not home and decided to "visit his sheep"? If you have an LGD are these sheep trained to one?

The real question here should be can you AFFORD to feed them (hay or pasture - no grain since they are not breeding), shots (CDT definitely), shearing (my guy in So Cal charges $40 a head), as well as the extra work involved in hoof care (just like goats). Add in the possibility you will need to build another fenced area with a shelter if they do not get along with your current herd.

Second question would be what will you do if they do not get along with your goats and current animals. You will be introducing 2 new animals to a settled herd which will mean readjustment if heard/flock hierarchy and battling for positions. Are your goats bred? If they fight with the sheep can you afford them to abort due to injury? Sheep are more powerful than goats and you don't want any accidents.

Taking in unwanted animals is kind and sweet but since you already have other animals on your property, you may want to take a step back and think with your head instead of your heart. I know it is hard to do, but once you have taken them the damage (if any) is done.

Finally, if it doesn't work out and you have to dispose of these sheep, will this cause any problems between your grandfather and his friend, or you and your grandfather? Good luck.