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I_don't_know said:

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.

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Pony said:

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

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