The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: kate7590 on June 02, 2014, 09:29:34 pm

Title: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: kate7590 on June 02, 2014, 09:29:34 pm
We're hoping to get some sheep to mow the small fields we recently bought. Theres about 4-5acres all together which we are splitting into 3 parts so we can rotate them.
Would 3 Jacob sheep be enough to keep the grass at a reasonable level?

Is there any website I can look at which will explain what we would need to do with them each year e.g. worming, shearing, foot clipping etc etc??
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: Dan on June 02, 2014, 09:32:11 pm
Is there any website I can look at which will explain what we would need to do with them each year e.g. worming, shearing, foot clipping etc etc??


Yes, you're on it! Start here:


http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/sheep/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/sheep/)


HTH  :)
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: Porterlauren on June 02, 2014, 09:33:42 pm
To your first question, no.
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: Young Ed on June 02, 2014, 10:00:30 pm
well a few more maybe say up to about 10 sheep should mow that for you just fine

i only have a couple books in my sheep library and like them both very much but if i were buying again i would probably only get one, i think it would have to be the first one
Links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Keeping-Sheep-Jane-Upton/dp/0954255526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401742469&sr=8-1&keywords=a+introduction+to+keeping+sheep (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Keeping-Sheep-Jane-Upton/dp/0954255526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401742469&sr=8-1&keywords=a+introduction+to+keeping+sheep)
(my preferred book of choice)


2 links for the same book:
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/lambs-for-the-freezer/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/lambs-for-the-freezer/)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847972691/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&tag=theaccidsmall-21 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847972691/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&tag=theaccidsmall-21)

(still a good book. i bought it from the foyles link in the my last link above as it was cheapest by a few pennies i think)


these both cover basic periodic procedures (feet, shearing, dagging, medicating/vaccines etc) and contain decent descriptions for each month of the sheapards calender
Cheers Ed
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: shygirl on June 02, 2014, 10:48:24 pm
on amazon for 1p - bargain. young ed
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: bigchicken on June 02, 2014, 11:06:58 pm
Be warned sheep are very very addictive, you will need more sheep three won't make much difference
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: sheepandponies on June 03, 2014, 07:24:47 am
Agree you will be better off with a few more than 3.  Your local vet will give you some advice as well.  You could keep fewer sheep if you get a larger breed.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Never had sheep, advice please? :)
Post by: Backinwellies on June 03, 2014, 09:48:25 am
If you are intending breeding then don't get too many to start with as you will soon gain more!

Also will depend on if you are buying in feed for the winter.