The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: steve_in_devon on April 08, 2013, 12:27:23 pm

Title: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: steve_in_devon on April 08, 2013, 12:27:23 pm: Hi,

I would love to keep some sheep, I was wondering how much land you require for 2 ewes?

I may have access to an small orchard (about 0.4acres).

I was thinking of Jacob sheep. I don't want to spend to much on renting land, as I would like to keep them to have lambs for there meat and don't them to cost to much to keep.

How much can you expect to pay for land to rent for grazing?

Thanks
Steve
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: StephB on April 08, 2013, 12:38:58 pm: Hi,

I kept three lambs in an acre orchard last year and then sent them on for slaughter in the autumn. The lambs and the orchard grass were fine, but not sure how it would have faired after staying out on it all winter. Think I would have needed more grass for a regular rotation.

Like I said, if you just want them for slaughter then you would be fine, but keeping all year round would need need more grass.

xx
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: Backinwellies on April 08, 2013, 12:51:08 pm: Why not start with some orphan lambs and rear for meat ... you can see how much they eat and are not committed to long term grazing?
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 08, 2013, 04:32:55 pm: Jacobs are great sheep but they need good fences and will bark trees if grazing's short.
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: steve_in_devon on April 08, 2013, 06:23:28 pm: So where is the best place to find some lambs? Anyone on here have any?

I am located between Crediton and Tiverton, in Devon.
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: twizzel on April 08, 2013, 09:35:17 pm: The only thing with tame lambs is you need to keep them in for the first few weeks, out of the elements until they are a bit stronger and bigger. It's worth registering on www.lambbank.co.uk (http://www.lambbank.co.uk) as last time I looked there were several farmers in Devon offering tame lambs for sale. That said if you do have somewhere to keep them in I would go down this route- we have 12 tame lambs at the moment (although I am trying to persuade OH to let me get a few sheep). If you have ewes you need to think how you will get them in lamb each year because it wouldn't be worth having a ram for just 2 sheep.
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: Azzdodd on April 08, 2013, 10:01:06 pm: If your getting 2 ewes get something good meat so if you go for Jacob put them to a texel or large ram tasty big lambs :-) and if you just have 2 in there just feed hay in winter :-)
Title: Re: Thinking of keeping sheep
Post by: steve_in_devon on April 09, 2013, 09:09:26 am: Thanks for the responses. I now need to work out how much they will cost to keep. And then find out if I can use the orchard.