Sheep Raising Guide

Sheep are gentle, productive animals perfect for small homesteads. They provide meat, wool, and excellent pasture management while being easier to handle than cattle.

Why Raise Sheep?

Dual income: Wool and meat production
Size: Easier to handle than cattle
Land efficiency: More sheep per acre than cattle
Weed control: Prefer weeds and brush over grass
Low-impact: Lighter on land than other livestock

Choosing Sheep Breeds

Wool Breeds

Merino: Finest wool, high quality, need more care
Rambouillet: Fine wool, hardy, good foragers
Romney: Long lustrous fleece, low-maintenance

Meat Breeds

Suffolk: Fast-growing, excellent meat quality
Hampshire: Muscular, heavy lambs, hardy
Dorper: Hair sheep, no shearing needed, heat-tolerant

Dual-Purpose Breeds

Dorset: Good wool and meat, can breed year-round
Polypay: Prolific, good mothers, versatile
Icelandic: Hardy, triple-purpose (wool, meat, milk)

🐑 Starter Advice

Start with 4-6 ewes and a ram or use AI. This is enough to learn the ropes without being overwhelming, and provides genetic diversity.

Housing and Fencing

Shelter Requirements

15-20 square feet per ewe
Dry, well-ventilated shelter
Three-sided shed often sufficient
Extra space needed for lambing

Fencing

Woven wire (4" spacing at bottom) works best
Electric net fencing for rotational grazing
4-foot height minimum
Must be predator-proof (especially for lambs)

Feeding Your Flock

Basic Nutrition

Pasture: Primary food source, 2-4 ewes per acre
Hay: 2-4% body weight daily when not on pasture
Minerals: Sheep-specific (NO copper—toxic to sheep!)
Grain: Only for late-gestation/lactating ewes

Lambing Season

Preparation

Know breeding dates (gestation = 147 days)
Prepare clean, dry lambing area
Stock supplies: iodine, towels, OB lubricant
Have vet's emergency number ready

Care of Newborns

Ensure lamb is breathing, clear airways
Dip navel in iodine
Ensure lamb nurses within 30 minutes
Watch for bonding issues

Wool Care and Shearing

Wool breeds need annual shearing (usually spring). Options:

Hire a professional shearer
Learn to shear yourself (takes practice!)
Choose hair sheep breeds to avoid shearing entirely

Health Management

Common Issues

Internal parasites: #1 health concern—use FAMACHA scoring
Foot rot: Trim hooves regularly, keep areas dry
Predators: Guardian animals recommended

Preventive Care

CDT vaccination annually
Hoof trimming every 6-8 weeks
Regular body condition scoring
Strategic deworming (not routine)

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