Best pasture for sheep (Southdowns)?

[fiddlerswife]

I will be overseeding before I get my lambs and wonder what's the best for them? I am told they'll eat weeds just as readily as Bluegrass, but thought I'd ask here for suggestions.


BTW, I'm coming out of lurking. Hello, everybody!

[Bearfootfarm]

There's not much that sheep WON'T eat! LOL I usually plant cereal rye, ryegrass , and red clover for Winter pastures. They take off early in the Spring, and grow well until the weather gets hot in the Summer

[fiddlerswife]

You are the third person to tell me this, so I guess I won't fret too much.

[Maura]

The trick is to rotate them. You want them to eat everything edible in a two or three day period (assuming you are starting with a small flock), then move them to another two or three day stand. You will notice that some things they won't touch (dig out), others they will eat the new leaves, then ignore. Some, like thistle, they will nibble on, but not clear. Once grass has gone to seed, they won't eat it.. If you find they are not eating the grass, throw a pony into the mix.

[fiddlerswife]

There will only be two of them.
I would LOVE to add a pony or a mini donkey, but alas, I can't have them where I live. I know, I know, what's wrong with people?!?

I want to MOVE, but that's another story. At least I have my poultry and the lambs will be here soon enough.

[Somerhill]

Originally Posted by Maura

If you find they are not eating the grass, throw a pony into the mix.

OOOoooooo- sheep will eat ponies, Maura?

Lisa (please don't hit me too hard!)

[fiddlerswife]

I thought the very same thing when I first read Maura's post, but I decided to skip the snappy comeback because I'm a newbie. Looks like I would've fit right in.
Heeeeeeeeeeeee.