![flock of sheep flock of sheep](https://live.staticflickr.com/2749/4265750026_9c717754b4_b.jpg)
If the place is fairly neat, chances are the sheep are well cared for.
![flock of sheep flock of sheep](https://cdn9.dissolve.com/p/D869_78_633/D869_78_633_1200.jpg)
![flock of sheep flock of sheep](https://image.posterlounge.it/img/products/520000/515396/515396_poster_l.jpg)
What do I look for?įirst of all, check out the seller’s farm. A dispersal sale from a well-cared-for flock is a choice place to buy. Check with your county extension educator for names or ask others who have sheep where they bought their ewes. I recommend locating a trusted local breeder. Moreover, most of those animals sell as registered purebreds and can be fairly expensive. And, perhaps not at a sheep auction since you can’t see the flock from which the consigned animals came. While the price may be attractive, most of the animals there are culls (rejects) and you’ll likely be buying another breeder’s problems. Where should I buy sheep?ĭefinitely not at a sale barn. Crossbreds (not likely on exhibition at the fair) can be excellent “starter” sheep due to their generic hybrid vigor. Those animals may be expensive registered purebreds, but looking them over will help you sort out the breeds you find appealing. Visiting a fair where several sheep breeds are exhibited may be useful in narrowing your choices.
#FLOCK OF SHEEP HOW TO#
Part of raising sheep for profit, or any animal for that matter, will require the need to learn how to provide regular care to keep the livestock healthy and productive.Īre you interested in raising sheep for meat, for wool, 4-H projects, or just to have around? Answering that will help you choose from among the various sheep breeds. One final comment: if you are buying sheep just to “clean up the woods” and don’t want to be bothered too much, rethink this idea. With experience, you can soon identify an animal that acts differently and needs attention. On the “looking for a place to die” notion, the flock instinct among sheep is so strong, they don’t readily exhibit symptoms of common sheep illnesses therefore, it may be too late by the time the inexperienced observer realizes something is amiss. Any ewe who can find her lambs among hundreds is not dumb. Now, what should you be keeping in mind as you ponder raising sheep? Are sheep as dumb and prone to die as I have heard? Your local library will likely be of assistance and there are a number of websites such as and that offer product and management information. This article covers only basic tips on buying and managing a small flock however, there are a number of more informative sources such as Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheepavailable through the Countryside Book Store, and sheep! Magazine is also useful. Perhaps you have only limited livestock experience, but raising sheep is appealing because they represent a relatively cheap investment, are fairly docile, and don’t require elaborate facilities. Gray – So you’ve moved to the country and have been thinking about raising sheep on your five or 10 acres.