What to do Before Getting the Sheep?<\/p>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- \n
<\/span>Take the Decision<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThere are different reasons why sheep are raised by farmers. It is the source of earnings you can sell its meat, milk, hides, and wool. on the other hand, it is kept as a part of hobby farming for having organic meat and other products; to be a pet; or for vegetation control.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Resource Management<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nBefore you decide to keep the sheep, you need to understand it takes a lot of time and money in sheep and goat farming. You will be needing money for fencing, the cost of sheep, stockpile food, shelter for lambing, vaccinations, transportation costs, and vet checks, etc.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Choose the Breeds<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n- Meat breeds-Dorset, Southdown, North County Cheviot, Suffolk, etc.<\/li>\n
- Triple purpose breeds (milk, meat, and wool)- mainly in Europe.<\/li>\n
- Wool breeds- Rambouillet, Merino, etc.<\/li>\n
- Dual-purpose breeds-Corriedale, Polypay, Targhee, Columbia, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>Suitable Surroundings<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nA rough estimate that goes around is 5 ewes per acre. So, find out how much land you can provide for your sheep.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>\u00a0Certified Breeder<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nGet your sheep from a recognized breeder so that you can have pure breed because small-scale breeders sometimes give the crossbreeds under false pretense.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>How to Care for Sheep?<\/p>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nBefore you purchase, check the different breeds of sheep because in sheep and goat farming you need to check the living conditions and geography suitable to your sheep. You need to check which breed of sheep will thrive in your living conditions. Following are the things you need to keep in mind while keeping sheep:<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Correct Environment<\/p>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n- \n
<\/span>Provide year-round shelter<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOnce your sheep is home, arrange a shelter that will protect it from all the elements including wind, sun, and rain. It’s not compulsory to have a barn, a three-sided structure will work just as well both have their own specialties.<\/p>\n
The special thing with barn is that if the time demands you can separate pregnant or sick sheep from others while with a three-sided structure sheep can stay in a shelter or in the open however they like.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Straw Bedding<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nDepending on the time sheep spend in the shelter, the bedding should be decided. It is good to provide them with good, thick bedding of hay if you live in a colder climate. PDZ should be sprinkled in the stalls once a month to neutralize the urine.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Strenth of Pasture Support<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAs the estimate goes 10 sheep per acre, you need to make sure your pasture can support the number of sheep you are bringing. An average sheep spends 7 hours a day grazing, so the condition of pasture matters. for example, the rocky and dry conditions will need more pastureland to provide more grass.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Set up fencing<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFencing will provide protection to the sheep from predators and will also keep the sheep in the pasture. For extra measure, you can electrify the fence as it will deter predators when they touch the fence.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Feeding your Sheep<\/p>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n- \n
<\/span>Hay or Pasture\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nNaturally, sheep prefer the pasture plants such as clover or grass. If the pasture stays in bloom throughout the year and is large enough you won\u2019t be needing supplemental food for sheep.<\/p>\n
Hay needs depend on the use of pasture, quality of hay, amount of grain being feed, and condition of sheep. Clover and alfalfa are preferred by most animals as it is more nutritious.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Store Food<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nStore the hay in case you face harsh weather conditions. You should always be ready. Prevent the hay from getting wet as it could get molded. Store the hay absolutely dry and off the ground. If it gets wet, can be dried again and used as bedding.<\/p>\n