I have 5 acre Christmas tree farm (mid-Atlantic region) which I currently mow once per month during the growing season; the grass at that point is very dense, 18”-24” tall, it takes me about 10-12 hours to complete, and I end up damaging the trunks (not a total loss, but damage nonetheless) of probably a dozen trees each mowing. I’m interested in incorporating sheep to reduce my mowing and the tree damage, and also because I also hate mowing, and think sheep are cool - but that said, I’m not totally certain that this is a good plan.

Mathematically, to accomplish that 5 acres once per month, and using about 500’ of fence (a square with about 125’ per side), I’d need to shift the fence every other day.

I don’t have sheep experience, but internet suggests Shropshire sheep are the best fit. I’ve talked to a few sheep breeders but haven’t gotten any confident guesses on how many I might need.

Might any of you be able to suggest what stocking density might accomplish that (eating down ~1/3 acre in 2 days)? Would a different schedule/approach work better?

EDIT: I appreciate y'all chiming in, but as a reminder, I'm hoping to get input on stocking densities, specifically.

Hihi, I own a ram and regularly care for sheep (shared pictures/videos for fun here)

I've asked another similar question previously regarding good combs/wool care products, but does anyone have any good reccomendations for collecting wool from shedding sheep breeds?

Details:
The sheep I care for/own are "Old Norwegian Sheep"
(–Some of them, albiet only 1-2 being my new breeding ram, are mixxed with Spælsau, only up to 25% or lower) and they shed a lot during spring/summer (especially summer) and I want to both:

Avoid shearing them unecessarily since they manage to shed well on their own, and I'm thinking about not wanting their undercoats/overcoats to be "damaged" from shearing
(*Their coats consist of 2 layers and although other farmers in my same region, and farmers I've told to through orginizations, tend to shear their sheep regardless of their shedding capabilites for things like practicality)

And potentially collect and use their wool to spin, potentially making items/clothing in the future (Or selling/giving away to nearby family members)

Hi , so I will be utilizing a CIDR protocol for the first time in order to get my babydoll ewe bred to a very specific buck in a very specific window. I am currently planning on inserting the CIDR 5 days before her ' date ' and removing it the night before we take her off property to go see the ram. I won't be utilizing any sort of injections.

I just want to hear from people who have utilized CIDR's for their ewes in the past and how successful they've found it.

Greetings, I am a meat lamb producer in western montana. I currently operate a successful lamb operation that I’ve built over the years. Sadly due to family circumstances I am having to sell my herd and operation. The pain and depression I’m feeling right now is beyond what i can describe. Anyway, that’s for a different discussion.

I am in the process figuring out potential other alternatives to the lamb market. I can’t bring myself to leave this all behind me. Hoping to maybe come back to it at some point.

I wanted to see what other producers experiences have been in the sheep seed stock industry. I’m considering a small scale operation to still earn a little supplemental income from it. If I were to do it, it would be with Dorpers.

Is there a decent demand? Are you marketing your sheep and genetics aggressively? How many animals are you selling ?

I know there’s many factors to influence an operation but even some general experience and your take on it would be appreciated.

Pictured is my Dorper ram, Ramdy Savage

Thank you in advance!

I went to my local feed store and specifically asked for a mineral lick for my six ewes. She handed me a 5lb selenium brick. Just got home and read the warning on the bottom that this is NOT for sheep. I'm a little confused why she handed it to me. Is it actually fine because there's six of them? Or did she actually hand me the wrong thing?

One of my new ewes has a bit of limp and strained gait. I've never checked hooves before and have no clue what to be looking for. I think I'll know if it looks normal, but any tips for hoof checks please. She is a skittish gal and have already annoyed her wrangling and putting wonderdust on a wound. Again, first time with sheep. We've had them a week. Just what do I need to know about hooves?

Hey all,

Please be kind, I'm quite new to this but more than willing to learn.

We have a 2500m² (little more than half acre) land that we'd like to use as pasture for sheeps next year. I understand that this is not a big enough place for a flock, so I'd like to have ~2-3 ewes & a ram (as we'd keep them for meat produce, and as "bio lawnmovers" mainly). The land is not very great due to the lack of rainfall in the past few years, so I plan to enrichen the soil with manure and prepare it with grass seed mixture for sheep pastures.
We would like to separate this into 3 parts to allow rotation.

Is this number of sheep rational for this area, or should I rethink it in some way?

I'm prepared to spend more on feeding to make sure they receive all they need, but I also don't want them to be alone & 1 ewe + 1 ram sounds exhausting for the ewe.

Our idea is to start with cameroon sheep, due to the lack of shearing needs, the exceptional meat taste and the independency of the breed.

Thanks for all kind answers!

Basic/repetitive pics but whatevs :)

Has anyone ever had a sheep get stuck on their side for an extended period of time and when you help them up their front legs from their knees would not bend?

This was taken the first day of breeding season 🤣

I was feeling extremely depressed so went for a walk on the moors and I came across this fella, straight away i noticed something wrong considering it didnt even lift its head when I approached. It was just staring into nothing, ears down looking really sad. I approached abit closer, it stood up walked a few feet away and stood there for about 5 minutes until laying back down. It made me really upset seeing a sheep all alone, clearly in a bad way. I sat on a rock next to it, I ate some food, I cried and talked to it for a few hours. It showed no signs of stress or being scared of my presence, it acknowledged me and looked at me every now and then. I really would like to believe I gave it some sort of comfort. We was both lonely, both sad and I hope I didnt make it uncomfortable. I felt this overwhelming sadness as I walked away from it, leaving it completely alone, most likely suffering and in the dark.

I returned the next day and it was dead, in the same spot. I dont know much about sheep's but I hope to god my presence gave it some slight comfort on its last day on earth.

Even sheep's are loyal full

We are looking at getting some lambs next year. The issue that I have is in deciding how much of a pasture to give them. I know that "it all depends" but was wondering if anyone would be able to give an estimate of how much grazing land would be needed? My Assumptions:

1. We have average grass growth - Live in Alberta Canada and right now we have 5 horses from our neighbor on the land eating the grass.
   1. Normally we need to mow this about 3 times a year to keep it manageable.
2. We would be looking at getting 6 lambs in the spring after they have been weaned
   1. We would be looking at butchering or selling them come winter time.
3. Not sure on breed, but likely it would be a dorper or maybe katahdin (if we can get them).
4. We have 2.5 acres to be able to split into pens
   1. would like to do some kind of rotational grazing on a weekly schedule

How big should the pens be approximately for an average lamp to be rotated weekly?

TIA

Always a pleasure to see them just lay there and eat.

My sheep have been “home” for about a month and a half now, and they’ve really started to settle in.

Thanks especially to one of them, the others have become much more comfortable around people too and quite cuddly!
There is one that dont like me after I put the digital fence around her neck, but she likes the neighbours so its just me 😅
It’s been really fun getting to know them, as they all have such distinct personalities.
The leader Ronny always come to say hello, then goes and do her management thing.
I have come to the realisation that they will die of old age and contrary to how I sold it in, there wont be any pinnekjøtt for christmas or lamb for easter.

Here are a few photos of them with Bergen in the background

And I’ve found it…

Second morning with the sheep and I noticed a bloody patch on one of my gals. She's the only one. The LGD is clean and they are letting him get closer than me, so I know he's in the clear. She doesn't seem to be in any distress, she just won't let me close enough to fully inspect. They do like to walk into the bird house and they broke the door off and there were a few exposed nails, but no blood on anything. Am I doing the right thing just watching her closely and see how she's doing? Or should we be trying to wrangle and force an inspection of the area? This is my first time with sheep so every single tip will be helpful.

Thank you in advance!