[journeyman]

I've been planning my escape from urban America for almost two years. I've said goodby to my old career and recently finished truck driving school. I know it's too late in my life to learn all I need to raise cattle and horses ... so I'm sticking with chickens and turkeys. ( :baby04: :shrug: :baby04: )

QUESTIONS:

1.) How do you decide on raising goats or sheep? (I'm thinking I'll have something like 5-to-10 at the most.)

2.) Does sheep's milk make better cheese and butter?

3.) Goats seem so tricky that they're a lot harder to keep fenced. True?

4.) That brings up the question ... which is more labor intensive?

I've read that goat droppings and their old bedding are very good for the organic composting garden. Sheep droppings too?

5.) And last, which cost more to raise?

I'd go for meat/hair breeds of either sheep or goats. My dream "Hobby Farm will be between 12 and 40 acres. Can you offer a few suggestions for a tenderfoot just getting started?

 

[luvfarmin04]

It seems to be a personal preference. I started with goats. I chose fainters because they are not fence walkers and non-jumpers. Really have been enjoying them for the past 3 years. I recently have started raising babydoll sheep and like them also. I am trying to thin my fainter herd to concentrate on the babydolls a little more, just for a change of pace.

 

[hornless]

1. I wanted some pets at first, so got goats. They make better pets than sheep.
2. It depends on personal taste. Nubian or Nigerian milk, both are rich by the way, make cheese that is better than any sheep cheese. But personal taste is the main factor there. you might want to buy some goat cheese and see.
3. If you use good tall cattle panels you should be fine.
4.Once you get started, I'd say sheep. Unless you get an unimproved breed, sheep are going to require more coddling than goats. Goats are just naturally healthier.
5. Depends on the breed, but the intitial cost of goats is greater- as is the payoff. otherwise sheep cost a little more, I think.

Also, sheep give A LOT less milk than a goat. And meat goats would not give you very much milk at all- only a few squirts. You might consider dairy/meat crosses?

 

[sheepish]

2. Personally I like sheep's milk cheese better than goat, but some people feel otherwise.
3. Goats are more adventurous and more inclined to browse your trees, but some sheep are goatlike in that regard.
4. If you are planning to milk, that takes a lot of labour
Droppings and bedding of either species is much the same for the garden.

Other factors in your choice:
Which meat do you prefer? If you don't like either, then find another animal to raise.

Is there a local market for any excess produce?

Goats are mainly raised for milk, most of the sheep on this continent are raised for milk. If you want meat goats or milking sheep, your choice of stock will be more difficult to find.

 

[cedarsleeping]

(Considering my answer, I should have posted here!).

Karen

 

[Ronney]

I'm not going to try and influence you one way or the other. I don't have goats, have never had them and have no desire to have them. I'm a sheep person (meat and wool) and suspect that they are less labour intensive than goats.

However, that wasn't what I really wanted to say. I've farmed most of my adult life and as long as my grits points downwards I will never learn all there is to know about raising cattle, sheep or pigs which are the three livestock I keep. We all had to start somewhere and if you have a genuine interest in any type of livestock, go for it. The most important thing is to NEVER be afraid to ask questions if you don't know or aren't sure. There is a wealth of information and knowledge out there and most people are more than happy to point a newbie in the right direction.

I wish you all the best in your new venture, it's a big plunge your taking but I think you will find it a worthwhile one

Cheers,
Ronnie

 

[Meg Z]

I've had both, and I love both, but I ended up with sheep.

I had dairy goats. I never had a problem with them getting out of 39 inch field fence, unless a hole was in the fence, or a gate was open. They weren't fence jumpers. I made it a point to never let them see anyone or anything go over a fence, so they never developed the concept of 'over'. I had good milk, friendly girls, lots of compost.

We got a few sheep for the wool and meat, while we still had goats. Trying to keep the minerals separated was a pain...do-able, but a pain. But we decided to choose between them. And we decided to try to do it practically. Here's our comparison.

The goats give milk and kids (for eating or for sale), compost and companionship. Dairy goats aren't big around here, so I really had no market for the kids that we didn't eat. I couldn't use all the milk. The bucks stink.

Sheep give me wool, lambs (for eating or for sale), milk, compost and companionship. Sheep aren't that big around here, either, but the wool I can ship to folks by mail, or store. The lambs sell much better than dairy goat kids, and the meat commands a better price. The rams just smell like wet sweaters...not nearly as bad as a buck goat!

Both stay in the same fences, use the same shelters, eat similar foods, so I didn't have to make much change; just pick up different feed and minerals.

I miss my goats. Their personalities are great. One in particular I miss, my Truly Scrumptious. She now belongs to an HT teenager who takes marvelous care of her, and even lets me know how she's doing now and then. But, I wouldn't go back. As tempting as it is sometimes, I know I made the right decision for us. The sheep are just as personable, and have more marketability for me here.

So, look at what you want from them, look at your market. Check how sensitive your nose is! (Then get sheep!)

 

[ajaxlucy]

I have a small flock of Shetland sheep. I chose sheep because many folks told me they'd be easier to fence and I prefer the taste of lamb over goat meat. The droppings go right into the garden. Once I had my fencing and supplies, they've cost very little to keep, since I don't grain feed them, just give them hay in the winter and let them graze/browse the rest of the year. I buy stock salt and a few basic medical supplies, but they've been pretty healthy. I chose Shetlands because I was new to sheep and wanted a breed that was small enough for me to handle alone, and tough and hardy enough to have a good chance of thriving despite my inexperience. They've done great - made me look more competent than I am. The wool is a bonus for me, but annual shearing is not a chore I look forward to. It's still less work than daily milking of a dairy animal, though. That sounds pretty labor intensive.

 

[MTDeb]

We have sheep over goats mainly because I wanted wool and the fencing issues. We would have had to replace all the fencing around our pasture. While we don't make a great deal of money off the lambs and wool, it's enough to cover the cost of raising the sheep and keep me supplied with wool for a couple more lifetimes.

 

[6e]

I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. They both have their pros and cons. It does seem that goats make better pets. Sheep prefer to just be left alone. Goats do seem to try fences more, but then so do some sheep. We've had a few Hampshire's that were the master of escape. But either one is easy to get back in.
I don't think either one is more labor intensive than the other. It's all a matter of personal preference. We've had both together and that's kind of nice. The sheep graze and the goats browse and to make it even better we have a llama in with them and he browses up where the goats can't reach. The only time that becomes a major problem is when they get out into the yard and browse on my trees and flowers.
Oh, and yes, bucks smell, but not near as bad as pigs when it rains a lot! :1pig:

 

[computerchick]

I vote BOTH!

Only major difference you'll have is getting the goats adequate copper without poisoning your sheep.

Since I've added my sheep, I've gone to bolusing the goats. Since we don't feed grain, this has been the best route.

I have raised fainters for 3 years now, and always have wanted sheep (used to work with commercial herds when I was at school at Va Tech) and spent the last year or so researching the best mix for my place - and we now have two beautiful little Black Welsh Mountain sheep adjusting to our grass in the backyard! They are too cool! Ultimate Mother's Day gift!

Just do your research!

Andrea
www.arare-breed.net

 

[Slev]

Please, ...there is NO ONE on this BBS who could have had as possibibally a bad experience with goats than myself. I've had even more negative experiences than what I've shared on here. But I will say, that after wintering a friends goats, we got to keep a little Nubian female and while she is a little "pest" she does have a personality and loves to keep our Dexter cow company. Needless to say, we have many head of Border Leicester's and a few good old crosses. We just like the sheep better, but one or two goats are nice to have around.

 

[kesoaps]

1.) How do you decide on raising goats or sheep? Personal preference, I suppose. I don't like goats. They try to eat my clothes. I like my clothes. I like my clothes on me, not in a goat's mouth.
2.) Does sheep's milk make better cheese and butter? Yes to the cheese. You get double the cheese from sheep milk per pound than goat or cow. The milk is also sweeter; or at least that's what I've been told by folks who drink raw milk. I don't know that there's a difference in the butter.
3.) Goats seem so tricky that they're a lot harder to keep fenced. True? My sheep can be tricky, too. Good fencing no matter which you get is important.

4.) That brings up the question ... which is more labor intensive? Do you want to milk all year? Goats lactate a long time. Sheep don't. You need to shear a sheep, but not every day (unless you get a hair breed, then no shearing.)

I've read that goat droppings and their old bedding are very good for the organic composting garden. Sheep droppings too? Yes. Toss it straight onto the garden.

5.) And last, which cost more to raise? I haven't raised goats, but I'm guessing it's really more dependent on the breed you select. My Friesians are milkers and require more feed than my other sheep breeds. I suspect dairy goats are higher maintenance than other types as well.

 

[ozark_jewels]

Really it is mostly personal preference. My advice would be to find a few places in your area that have goats and a few that have sheep, or check out the local fairs and stock shows. This time of year is a good for that. Hang out with the sheep for a while then hang out with the goats for a while. Find out which ones you "click" with.
Regardless of what you choose, buy for the qualities you want.
If you want tame, buy tame, don't try to tame wild ones.
If you want foragers, don't buy from pampered show herds, buy from someone who has healthy hardy animals that are allowed to forage or graze naturally.
If you want milk, buy from herds that are milking well and have animals trained to milk.
Try to buy in your area, as those herds in your general area of the country will be acclimated to your weather and parasite loads.
Before you buy, make sure you have tight fencing and shelter ready.

I used to have sheep, but have never been happier when six years ago I switched over to all goats. I just like them better and they like me. We "click". Goats in my opinion are hardier and more rewarding.
If you don't want to milk for ten months out of the year, you can dry them up when you want to.

 

[hornless]

Or dam raise.

 

[flannelberry]

I've been planning my escape from urban America for almost two years. I've said goodby to my old career and recently finished truck driving school. I know it's too late in my life to learn all I need to raise cattle and horses ... so I'm sticking with chickens and turkeys.

Like everyone else, I'd say it's a matter or preference as much as anything.

I've had nubian and alpine and nigerian goats. Currently have Icelandic sheep. I'll answer the questions in the body of your post.


QUESTIONS:

1.) How do you decide on raising goats or sheep? (I'm thinking I'll have something like 5-to-10 at the most.)

Preference - I loved my goats but the more I read about sheep the more I wanted them instead. More uses (Icelandics can be used for fibre, meat and milk), less cheek but still some personality. They don't seem to have prehensile tongues which is wonderful after goats that could let themselves out of their run.

2.) Does sheep's milk make better cheese and butter?

I don't know about butter but it is *the* milk for some cheeses. If you like those cheeses then, yes.


3.) Goats seem so tricky that they're a lot harder to keep fenced. True?

Yes, yes, yes in my experience. There is a caveat to that however, my pyr is the trickiest one of all and I'm not sure I'd even have a handful of stock without them. She's spent the last three days escaping the fence (not the electric one) to run bears from our place.

4.) That brings up the question ... which is more labor intensive?

Depends on what you're doing with them and what you'll do yourself. Shearing can be a bit of a pain but with a small flock you can diy (especially if you don't care about how they look). If they're just lawn mowers then I would say I found the goats more labour intensive just because I was having to keep up with the fencing.

4b) I've read that goat droppings and their old bedding are very good for the organic composting garden. Sheep droppings too? Absolutely.

5.) And last, which cost more to raise? It depends totally on you, your pasture, what breed you pick, all of that good stuff. I'd say so far mine have been roughly equal.

6) I'd go for meat/hair breeds of either sheep or goats. My dream "Hobby Farm will be between 12 and 40 acres. Can you offer a few suggestions for a tenderfoot just getting started?

Talk to lots of people who are doing what you want to do.

 

[journeyman]

That's a lot of good information ... much of which will lead me to my next set of questions and answers.

Thanks for the good hearted replies.

Fred

 

[Henacynflin]

I've been planning my escape from urban America for almost two years. I've said goodby to my old career and recently finished truck driving school. I know it's too late in my life to learn all I need to raise cattle and horses ... so I'm sticking with chickens and turkeys. ( :baby04: 🤷 :baby04: )

QUESTIONS:

1.) How do you decide on raising goats or sheep? (I'm thinking I'll have something like 5-to-10 at the most.)

2.) Does sheep's milk make better cheese and butter?

3.) Goats seem so tricky that they're a lot harder to keep fenced. True?

4.) That brings up the question ... which is more labor intensive?

I've read that goat droppings and their old bedding are very good for the organic composting garden. Sheep droppings too?

5.) And last, which cost more to raise?

I'd go for meat/hair breeds of either sheep or goats. My dream "Hobby Farm will be between 12 and 40 acres. Can you offer a few suggestions for a tenderfoot just getting started?

Sheep are a lot less work than goats, unless you decide to milk them. Then sheep are much harder than goats and you need more of them. If you want dairy - go for goats / for meat or wool go for sheep. They do overlap though.

 

[Pony]

This is an old thread (13 years old!) and now I am missing certain people.

I wonder how @megZ is doing... Always loved her tagline (All life requires death to support itself. The key is to have an abiding respect for the deaths that support you. --- Mark T. Sullivan), as well as her posts.

I know how @ozarks_jewels is, because I see/talk with her fairly regularly, but @kesoaps, @Slev, @MTDeb, @ajaxlucy... Sure miss them.

 

[collegeboundgal]

I know this is an old thread, but in regard to the original question, a lot (not all) of the answers comparing the work of goats to sheep are comparing milking goats to meat sheep. I run both meat goats and meat (hair) sheep. I do keep a couple milk cows so my dairy is covered with that species. Sheep and goats are ran on open pasture as a flerd (flock/herd) all year round. During this last extreme cold blast, I did give them access to a barn with pine shavings for bedding.
Goat kids sell for more per pound than lambs do, BUT, the goat kids tend to be much more fragile and die easer. goat mamas are not the best (that's boer for you) but gets better every year as I cull the worthless mothers. Sheep (so far) have been excellent mothers and lambs are up and RUNNING with umbilical cords still wet. (had to chase after one last spring and couldn't hardly catch it!)
So, goat kid's bring more money, but I have more lambs that survive to sale making up for lost price per pound. I will continue to raise both critters though because the sheep are not people friendly and can't even be brought over to the dark side with grain. The goats on the other hand will try to trample me down if I shake a bucket with rocks in it. This makes the times I need to catch them a lot harder without the goats. Goats are just naturally so much friendlier. (or grain hogs).
Goats do need feet trimmed regularly (mine will get hoof rot at the drop of a hat) and copper. Sometimes I will give the goats a copper bolus. All animals have the mineral block I give the beef cows. I like lamb meat better, but I am the only one in my family who does.