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NC | Buy sheep from a system just like you want to do.
Example---Barn lambers would not work well on pasture the first few years .
The wool may be worth the hassel if you are lambing outside.
Crutching may be worth the hassel too.
Better trim a few sheep-- BEFORE you get 400 :)
I wouldn't even think about 400 without a herding dog to use. And a tip table.
I have found that not feeding any starch helps to keep the feet in better shape.
And DON:T BUY FOOTROT Even if you have to pay double to get them footrot free.
Then be REAL careful to never introduce it. If you have a shearer come in don't let them park in the pasture without disinfecting EVERYTHING.Isolate all new animals on concrete if possible for several weeks just to be real safe. Once you ever have one animal with footrot on your place you are stuck with dealing with it from now on. Life with sheep is soooooo much better without footrot.
Careful rotating sheep regularly-- that just magnifies the worm issues. You might want to think about getting some cows and use them to clean pastures(of worms) for the sheep. Or cut hay between grazings to drop the worm load.
Footrot,worms,trimming feet and predators make people give up on sheep.... in that order.
there are also some wasting diseases(OPP is one) that it would be worth the money to make sure you don't have from the get go. It doesn't take long to buy a few perfect sheep and grow your flock up to where you want it.And you will be much happier in the long run.
.PS- stay away from show sheep lines. | |
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Grain farmer buys pasture land???
