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Autotech
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Silver Member
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Reged: 03/16/03
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Posts: 121
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Loc: Hilltown Township, Bucks County, PA
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Pasture control - sheep or....?
05/07/03 03:44 PM
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I've been doing a lot of reading recently, and it seems that a few (2 or 4) sheep is the best way to help maintain/control the approx 3 acres of pasture I recently aquired. So my questions are these:
What do I need to do to get ready? Obviously good fences are required, but how do the pastures need to be prepped? Must I mow before introducing animals or will they deal with the growth I have (not mowed yet this year - about 4-6 inches of growth)? Do I need to remove brush (mostly weeds and sticker bushes, maybe roses also) along the fence lines and in the pasture, or can that be done as I have time? There is a small building that was used for goats and a donkey (I think), it is about 8' x 12' - will this be sufficient shelter for 2-4 sheep? And is 2-4 a good number? Should I really have more? Or less? Where should I shop for animals - I assume local farms would be best. Any particular type of sheep you would reccommend? What should I expect to pay? Does it sound like I have no idea what I'm getting into???
Thanks for any input
Gregg
Remember - If I sound like I know nothing about farming it's because I really don't!
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Fawteen
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Silver Member
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Reged: 12/21/02
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Posts: 165
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Loc: Maine
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Re: Pasture control - sheep or....?
[re: Autotech]
05/07/03 07:53 PM
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I run 6 adult Shetland sheep on a bit over 3 acres of grass. Half or more of that started as overgrown pasture full of alders, raspberries, multiflora rose and every kind of trash growth you can imagine.
I made the mistake of buying two goats to turn into the area thinking they would clean out the underbrush. HA! The goats spent all their time eating the sheep's grain and getting out, the sheep did all the clearing. Got rid of the goats PDQ.
You should have at least 2, 3 or 4 would be plenty for that size area.
Breed depends on your long term goals. I would recommend what is called a "primitive" or "unimproved" breed as they are much hardier, will eat dang near anything they can get their mouth around, and don't need nearly as much fussing with.
I have experience with Shetlands, mostly through dumb luck. I didn't know squat about sheep, just knew I liked lamb chops and the lady I got mine from had decided she was too old to deal with sheep anymore, so I bought her flock.
Shetlands are a small (100 pounds tops) primitive breed, with excellent wool characteristics, a very docile, calm temperament, extremely hardy and maintenance free. My maintenance program consists of shearing them once a year and worming them 3 times. If you're considering breeding them, another advantage of Shetlands is that they are extremely easy lambers and good mothers. I've never had to assist with a birth, in fact, most times I go down to do chores in the morning and notice a couple of extra mouths to feed.
Shetlands need little or no shelter, just some place to get out of the wind occasionally. On calm days, in the dead of winter, and temps in the below zero range, they'll stay outdoors. Any three sided structure with it's back to the prevailing winds will be fine.
Other than that, fresh water, and hay in the winter, an you're good to go.
There are other primitive breeds, do a Google search. Also, if anybody in your area keeps sheep, ask around. Sometimes you can get cull ewes for next to nothing.
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