what have you learned "the hard way" about sheep?

[Karma Creek Farm]

Some great tips!

I have learned to treat an 'off' looking sheep as an emergency no matter what. They can go downhill faster than any other animal I've raised.

Sheep of all sizes can jump through a lasso loop.

Goats and sheep don't mix well, at least in smaller areas. The goats 'own' the food and are much rougher than the sheep.

I've learned that some sheep refuse to go into a shelter, even if that is where their salt/minerals are. I now put a loose mix in the shelter and a block outdoors as backup.

Rescue remedy works very well to calm sheep.

My experience is that wool breeds need more maintenance and food than hair breeds.

I've learned that I hate shearing.

I've learned that it is way too easy to sell lambs - this is my 3rd year of having to buy lambs for my own freezer! I still need to learn to say 'sorry I'm sold out'.

 

[Hillsvale]

Some great tips!



Goats and sheep don't mix well, at least in smaller areas. The goats 'own' the food and are much rougher than the sheep.

I kept my two lambs and goat in the same shelter and they got along great... they all arrived the same day and were babies though, I wonder if that made a difference...

Goats are very rough but my kathadin lamb had horns... very funny to watch them rough house.

 

[Karma Creek Farm]

I think lambs and kids would be fine to grow up together - I've only had the experience of adding adult or young goats into the flock. I did sell a bottle lamb to a girl who bought a kid for company, sounds like they are great friends.