by Brenda Nelson

Created on: October 27, 2010

Many people keep sheep, some are kept as pets or for pasture control, while the majority are kept for the purpose of wool and/or meat. Knowing how to properly care for sheep is vital no matter what purpose they serve.

-Shelter-

What kind of shelter you need will depend on where one lives, the climate, and what type of sheep they plan on keeping. Some sheep are hair sheep and have less tolerance of rain, and cold weather. In general sheep should have a shelter of some sort from the sun in the summer, this can be trees, or an open front shelter. In the winter they should have a barn to go into, particularly when lambing.

-Feeding-

In the summer sheep can be left to graze on a pasture at about a ratio of 3 – 5 sheep per acre. In the winter they should be fed hay and oats, or sheep pellets, especially if they are pregnant or nursing. They should have salt and minerals, and of course water. The biggest concern is too much copper, as sheep are at risk to copper toxicity.

-Fencing and Predator Protection-

Sheep, particularly lambs, can get out of regular barbed wire simply by stepping through it. As such you will require sheep fencing which is usually made up of wire squares. Generally a strand of barbed wire, or electric fence, is run along the bottom of the fence to help keep predators out. A good guard animal for your sheep is also a good investment, this can be a dog bred for guarding sheep, a donkey, or a llama.

-Shearing-

Most sheep require shearing in the spring. Some very woolly sheep might need an additional shearing in the summer. This shearing is not only to gather the wool for use, but to keep the sheep from overheating. A few sheep do not require shearing at all, as they are hair sheep, and will shed much like a dog.

-Feet Trimming-

Sheep may need their hooves trimmed once a year, this can be done at the same time as shearing.

-Veterinarian Care-

One should speak to their veterinarian in regards to suggested vaccinations and worming as per their area, and the size of their flock. If managed well, and not stressed, sheep will be healthier and have fewer parasite problems.

-Breeding-

Most producers put the rams with the ewes in the fall, allowing for lambs to be born in the spring. Most breeds of sheep do not cycle in the summer, however some do, so to avoid surprise lambs off season it is best to keep the rams and ewes separate otherwise.

-Lambing-

It is best to keep the ewes in the barn for lambing and for a few days after lambing so they can be monitored. Most ewes will have 1 – 3 lambs and they will stand and nurse within an hour. Occasionally a lamb must be removed and bottle fed. Wool sheep lambs usually have their tails docked at 3 days of age, while hair sheep do not require their tails to be docked, male lambs can be wethered at 5 days of age.  Lambs will usually be kept with their mothers for three to four months. 

-Overall-

Before getting into sheep one should research the different breeds as well as become familiar with the market in their area. Sheep can be expected to live into their early teens. 

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