BASIC NEEDS:
SHEEP MAINTENANCE:
All our lambs will have had their shots, been wormed, and hooves trimmed when they leave our farm.
Bringing Your Lambs Home:
Your lambs will probably be a bit shy around you when you first bring them home, but it won't take long before they learn to trust you once you begin spending time with them. It is important to interact with them quietly and gently because sheep "spook" easily especially when they are in an unfamiliar place with people they do not know. Have a small enclosure prepared for your lambs, so that you can get acquainted more easily. Begin by giving them small treats of lamb pellets or grain in a bucket. They will quickly come running whenever they hear you shake the bucket! Once you and your lamb have gotten acquainted, slip a halter on the lamb and begin halter breaking. Shake the grain bucket as you encourage them to walk forward, giving them an occasional treat when they follow. There will be some leaps and tugs as they get used to the confines of the halter but they will soon learn to trust and follow you.
- SHELTER: Structure can be as basic as a 3-sided shelter with a roof; the sheep need a shady spot in the summer and some protection from wind, rain, and snow in the winter. They prefer cold over heat. Lambing jugs are recommended for delivering lambs.
- PASTURE/HAY: Sheep and lambs are easy keepers; they like many different varieties of grass and nontoxic weeds; a good grass hay (such as orchard, timothy, fescues) makes a good winter ration. Pregnant ewes will need alfalfa or higher quality feed during late pregnancy and while lactating. Recommend a maximum carrying capacity of 5 ewes on one acre of good pasture. This is dependent on several factors: forage species, soil type, availability of irrigation and rotational options.
- MINERAL: Feed loose mineral/salt formulated for sheep. CAUTION: copper is toxic to sheep!
- FENCING: Most sheep do not climb or jump over fences, netting style fencing is required to hold them. A sturdy fence 48 inches tall will keep them confined.
- PASTURE BUDDY: Sheep are flock animals, so they need a buddy to hang out with. In most cases, we will not sell a single lamb if there isn't at least one other sheep that they will be penned with.
SHEEP MAINTENANCE:
All our lambs will have had their shots, been wormed, and hooves trimmed when they leave our farm.
- SHOTS: CD/T or Covex-8way shot annually.
- WORMING: Sheep Drench when needed. Dectomax subcutaneously early in summer.
- SHEARING: Annually in the spring or early summer for wool breeds; Hair sheep do not require shearing, although some will retain small tufts of hair that can be removed with shears.
- HOOF TRIMMING: Hooves should be trimmed every few months.
- Where do I purchase these? Your local farm store or Premiere 1 has an extensive line of sheep products and tools.
Bringing Your Lambs Home:
Your lambs will probably be a bit shy around you when you first bring them home, but it won't take long before they learn to trust you once you begin spending time with them. It is important to interact with them quietly and gently because sheep "spook" easily especially when they are in an unfamiliar place with people they do not know. Have a small enclosure prepared for your lambs, so that you can get acquainted more easily. Begin by giving them small treats of lamb pellets or grain in a bucket. They will quickly come running whenever they hear you shake the bucket! Once you and your lamb have gotten acquainted, slip a halter on the lamb and begin halter breaking. Shake the grain bucket as you encourage them to walk forward, giving them an occasional treat when they follow. There will be some leaps and tugs as they get used to the confines of the halter but they will soon learn to trust and follow you.
