The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: desertmum on July 18, 2016, 04:54:43 pm

Title: Essentials
Post by: desertmum on July 18, 2016, 04:54:43 pm

Our sheep arrive on Friday  :excited:  stupid question, but what essentials should we get before they arrive? 

Thanks
 

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: Rosemary on July 18, 2016, 08:48:29 pm

Water trough, bucket, feed trough (allow 50cm per ewe) and some sheep nuts. You can then start to get them tamed to you.

In the longer term, sheep hurdles, foot shears, dagging shears (I have Jakoti ones and love them), a good vet (I have one of those too).

Tim Tyne's "The Sheep Book for Smallholders"

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

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: desertmum on July 19, 2016, 08:15:25 am

thank you - had some of that, but not all, on the list. Got a good vet already so sorted there.

Thanks

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: Jukes Mum on July 19, 2016, 08:27:07 am

What Rosemary said, but twice as many hurdles as you think you will need!
Oh, and a couple of spare hurdles!

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: Marches Farmer on July 19, 2016, 08:32:37 am

And some binder twine ..... you can never have enough binder twine either.  Antibiotic spray, drench gun, wormer (see SCOPS website), Clik, pour on gun (or separate nozzle for drench gun).

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: Womble on July 19, 2016, 09:14:49 am

Bribery, bribery scoop, patience, waterproof trousers, grass, compassion, vet's phone number, physiotherapist's phone number, Swarfega, bottomless wallet, bailer twine, Tim Tyne's sheep book, hurdles, diary and routine management plan, surgical scrub, time (lots of), rubber trugs, understanding partner, blue magic spray, halter, marking crayon, obstetric lubricant, sense of humour, camera, new back.

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on July 19, 2016, 10:07:04 am

 :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim:
this makes me smile.... anyone would think we'd all had our sheep forced upon us! but i hope that you can tell that we all love our flocks passionately!
good luck with your new adventure - what breed and how many do you have arriving....

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: Backinwellies on July 19, 2016, 11:37:49 am

Ensure you know what meds they have had when  .....  wormer?   clik?  heptovac?   (hopefully they have been Cliked so you wont have to buy that) .

..... oh and more hurdles  :roflanim:

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: twizzel on July 19, 2016, 11:55:29 am

Patience... good fencing...  ;D

Title: Re: Essentials
Post by: desertmum on July 19, 2016, 02:30:16 pm

thank you everyone  :)
my bank balance has taken a bashing, but hopefully we are all set.

Very excited about the arrival on Friday - will post pics when they are sorted.

 ;D