You’ve surely heard some version of the phrase “sheep are always looking for a reason to die”, usually from folks who tried to raise a small flock and ended up disappointed. But you’ve also seen people with large flocks of sheep that seem to be doing fine, so what’s the truth? Do sheep really die…
When you look at most sheep you notice that while they are very similar to other livestock, unlike other domestics, like cattle or goats, they don’t have a tail. Why is that, especially since some sheep seem to have a short tail and others do not seem to have any tail at all? Sheep have…
When you are looking into buying some sheep to start your own flock, you might have the option to buy some ewe lambs. Are ewe lambs a good sheep to start with and how much do they cost? Ewe lambs will cost between $300-400 each. Ewe lambs closer to breeding age, that have in demand…
When you are thinking about getting into raising sheep, one of the first things you’ll want to know is the cost of buying your breeding stock. What does it cost to buy ewes and what are the factors that affect the price you’ll pay for them? A ewe will cost between $300-600, with bred ewes,…
Sheep are starting to be more popular, and for good reason! Sheep are versatile and you’ve got a lot of breeds to choose from. Once you have an idea of what type of sheep you are looking for now you need to get an idea of what it’s going to cost to get your starter…
If you have spent any time around animals, at all, you know that many animals, both wild and domestic, shed their hair coats. Think of all the hair that is around your house from your pets! If most other animals can shed their coats, why can’t sheep naturally shed their wool? While there are a…
When you see a flock of sheep, in person or even on a video, you may be wondering why the sheep need the shepherd at all? Can’t the farm sheep mostly take care of themselves? Sheep need shepherds to provide protection against predation, harsh weather and parasites. Shepherds also provide medical care when and if…
If you feed your sheep outside, eventually the flock and their hay will get rained on. Is it okay for sheep to eat wet hay and what can you do to make sure they eat it, rather than waste it? Sheep can eat wet hay as long as it is high quality hay to begin…
When you are thinking about which ram to use for your ewes this year, a common concern, especially in smaller flocks, is inbreeding. What are some options to reduce the chances of inbreeding or, better yet, how do you keep your sheep from inbreeding all together? You can prevent inbreeding in your sheep by castrating…
Sheep standing in the rain look less than happy to be there, we’ve all seen it! But the real question is are the sheep okay out in the rain or do they need to be brought inside? Healthy adult sheep can be out in the rain as long as they have a sheltered area to…