[I_don't_know]

I live in east TN and am looking into sheep. I would not need a flock just 2 or 3. Something to keep the grass mowed and lamb chops on ocation. I was told about hair sheep? Has anyone else delt with them.
I am also looking for a very basic book about raising sheep. Are there certin weeds that will make them ill. I am seriosely looking at replaceing the grass with clover; less work and good for the bees but will sheep like it? Any input will be a great help, Thanks to all.

 

[Alice In TX/MO]

I found this:

Raising Sheep: A Complete Guide on How to Raise Sheep at Homestead

Are you considering raising sheep for meat, wool, or even money? Make sure to read this complete guide on how to raise sheep at homestead.

morningchores.com

 

[Justaffagirl]

I live in east TN and am looking into sheep. I would not need a flock just 2 or 3. Something to keep the grass mowed and lamb chops on ocation. I was told about hair sheep? Has anyone else delt with them.
I am also looking for a very basic book about raising sheep. Are there certin weeds that will make them ill. I am seriosely looking at replaceing the grass with clover; less work and good for the bees but will sheep like it? Any input will be a great help, Thanks to all.

they are fairly easy to care for but I recommend keeping a good fly repellent on ur unless your willing to shave them every so often cause their hair will get really matted and then dirt and grim will get in there and may start to stink . I would get them young and have their tails docked to prevent infection . I hope u found this helpful

 

[Danaus29]

Be on the lookout for white snakeroot and eliminate all you see. It's blooming now and should be easy to spot.

Guide to Poisonous Plants – College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Colorado State University

The Colorado State University Guide to Poisonous Plants database lists trees, shrubs and perennials that can be harmful to animals. The Poisonous Plant Guide is constructed to enable location of a plant by either knowing the common or botanical name of the plant.

csuvth.colostate.edu

 

[RJ2019]

Be on the lookout for white snakeroot and eliminate all you see. It's blooming now and should be easy to spot.

Guide to Poisonous Plants – College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Colorado State University

The Colorado State University Guide to Poisonous Plants database lists trees, shrubs and perennials that can be harmful to animals. The Poisonous Plant Guide is constructed to enable location of a plant by either knowing the common or botanical name of the plant.

csuvth.colostate.edu

Interesting, never even heard of it before. According to the map it doesn't grow here, but we have other nasty plants in its place I'm sure

 

[Danaus29]

I heard about it but didn't know what it was until it started popping up all over my yard. I don't have free range livestock and the bees love the flowers so I let some live. But it has a horrid habit of taking over if not strictly controlled.

 

[Pony]

they are fairly easy to care for but I recommend keeping a good fly repellent on ur unless your willing to shave them every so often cause their hair will get really matted and then dirt and grim will get in there and may start to stink . I would get them young and have their tails docked to prevent infection . I hope u found this helpful

How much experience do you have with hair sheep?

What you recommend may be appropriate for wooly lambs, but I never had the issues you describe with my Katahdins.

@I_don't_know, just this morning, DH and I were discussing getting hair sheep again. I sold mine off a couple of years ago because I was focusing on my dairy goats, and really didn't want to bother with the sheep.

That said, I now realize that the sheep were hardly a bother at all. Boring? Yeah. Bother? Nope.

They are hardy, and will both graze and browse. Parasite resistant, easy keepers, and delightfully mild meat.

IME, sheep will not eat a toxic plant unless they are starving. Also IME, there are very few toxic plants. Sheep, like goats, will eat hemlock, poison ivy, brambles... They're pretty handy to have around.

We fed them the same things as the goats, with the exception of copper bolusing. But they do need some copper, so they also got the same cattle minerals with higher copper content.

I really want to get sheep again. DH is sorry the subject came up. LOL

 

[Justaffagirl]

How much experience do you have with hair sheep?

What you recommend may be appropriate for wooly lambs, but I never had the issues you describe with my Katahdins.

@I_don't_know, just this morning, DH and I were discussing getting hair sheep again. I sold mine off a couple of years ago because I was focusing on my dairy goats, and really didn't want to bother with the sheep.

That said, I now realize that the sheep were hardly a bother at all. Boring? Yeah. Bother? Nope.

They are hardy, and will both graze and browse. Parasite resistant, easy keepers, and delightfully mild meat.

IME, sheep will not eat a toxic plant unless they are starving. Also IME, there are very few toxic plants. Sheep, like goats, will eat hemlock, poison ivy, brambles... They're pretty handy to have around.

We fed them the same things as the goats, with the exception of copper bolusing. But they do need some copper, so they also got the same cattle minerals with higher copper content.

I really want to get sheep again. DH is sorry the subject came up. LOL

I’ve had A couple hair sheep before but after awhile I just sold them cause they had no purpose for us . They were pretty good at caring for themselves since they were just grazing sheep

 

[rbelfield]

i loved my hair sheep. they are very hardy, good mothers. low maintenance. i did dock tails even tho you dont have to with these. i just like a docked sheep tail. they had alot of twins and were not hard to keep contained. i got offered too much money and sold my whole flock. im kind of sad now. i had katahdin ewes and a dorper ram. i have heard that you can butcher an older ram and not know the difference from lamb..i have no experience with that, just what i was told.

 

[Pony]

i loved my hair sheep. they are very hardy, good mothers. low maintenance. i did dock tails even tho you dont have to with these. i just like a docked sheep tail. they had alot of twins and were not hard to keep contained. i got offered too much money and sold my whole flock. im kind of sad now. i had katahdin ewes and a dorper ram. i have heard that you can butcher an older ram and not know the difference from lamb..i have no experience with that, just what i was told.

That is true. We have butchered older rams, as well as a 6 year old ewe. Good, tender, mild meat.

In fact, the old ewe was the guest of honor at our annual gathering a few years back. Dug a pit, started a fire, popped her in, and oh, boy! She was good!