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HollowbeadRanch
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| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 05:57 pm |
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Hi Everyone! I am new to the forum and I have a TON of questions. I raise Nigerian Dwarf Goats and Pygmy Goats, and have been thinking about getting a couple of lambs or bred Ewes to add to the mix. The lambs/ewes will NOT be running with my Buck, but I was thinking about putting them in the pasture with my pregnant Does, Doelings (that are being kept separate from the Buck because they are too young to breed), and Does with babies. Do you think this would work? I know that unlike goats, sheep can't have copper (or atleast they don't need as much as the goats do), so since they will be in the nursery pasture they will be stalled at night just like the goats. Which means that at night I can give the goats their minerals and the sheep won't have access to the copper.
I have always wanted a couple of sheep, and this Spring I will finally get them!! So for now I am trying to do as much research as possible about them that way I will be as prepared as I can be when Spring gets here.
Now for the breed question... Since I have the mini goats would it be better for me to purchase a mini breed of sheep (like the Babydoll Southdowns?)? Sheep only need to be sheared once a year in the Spring, correct? Will the shearing be something that I can handle by myself? I had thought about trying a hair breed, but I have just always wanted cute, wooly lambs running around the place (of course they are all cute, but I had just always thought I would get a wool breed). Does anyone have pros and cons for hair and wool breeds? I live in the Northwest corner of Alabama (Tuscumbia, AL to be exact), so I am also going to have to find breeders of whichever breed I choose that are relatively close to me (within 2 hours or so if possible). So does anyone on here breed sheep in Alabama? Right now I am very open minded as far as the breed goes. Some that I have been looking at are the Dorpers, Katahdins (which are the two most common around here), Black Welsh Mountain, Tunis, Miniature Cheviot, Shetlands, Suffolks, Babydoll Southdowns, and California Reds (I realize that some of these breed are rare and hard to find so a few of the breeds listed are simply ones that I have seen pictures of and read a little about that I like).
Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!! And if anyone knows of any exceptionally good Sheep books, then I would love to know the title(s). Thank you!!
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Sam
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 09:12 pm |
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You might want to try the book "Raising Sheep the Modern Way."
Since it sounds like you are looking the commercial route and Dorpers or Katahdins would be a tremendous choice for hardy, easier care sheep.
The sheep should not have "supplemental" copper at all. It is toxic to them and builds up over time.
We hope that your entry into sheep production is positive and productive. Feel free to post if you have other questions.
Best wishes!
Sam
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HollowbeadRanch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 05:43 pm |
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Thanks! Yes, I have been reading quite a bit about them and have learned that they are supposed to have copper, which is why the goats will get it when they are separated from the sheep, so that the sheep don't have access to it.
I will definitely give that book a try! Thank you.
Last edited on Sat Jan 12th, 2008 05:44 pm by HollowbeadRanch
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Jessica White
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 3rd, 2006 |
| Location: | Wedowee, USA |
| Posts: | 2 |
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Posted: Sun Feb 24th, 2008 10:47 pm |
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| We raise, club lambs in alabama we are located just south of Annstion/Oxford please feel free to check out out website http://www.nelsonwhiteshowlambs.com we raise suffolks and Hamps.
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showchic
Member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 19th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 6 |
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Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 04:47 am |
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Are you still looking for a few sheep / Lambs to buy? I have 1-20 ewes and 2 rams for sale in Okla.
If you're interested e-mail me for more info. christyandbr60@yahoo.com
Thanks and good luck!
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HollowbeadRanch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 02:33 pm |
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Thank you so much for the reply!! Oklahoma is a pretty good ways from here... I really appreciate the response though!
I think I have decided to wait and learn a little more about sheep before getting a lamb... and I have almost decided that when I do get one I think I want a Shetland lamb (since I raise Miniature goats I thought it would be nice to have a miniature sheep breed). Does anyone know alot about Shetlands?
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