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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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 Posted - Nov 24 2014 : 1:06:19 PM
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Ron, you are putting ideas into my head! My family would tell me that is not a good idea; although, its amazing where we are now in just four short years...Five years ago, we lived in town on a city lot and had a cat and a dog. How boring it that?? And, I will have to say that all of my farm critters have sort of "fallen into my lap"...things just work together and all of a sudden, there I would be! That's how Clover came into my life...I so wanted a Jersey cow but thought that it would take forever to save up for one (we have kids still at home and tons of medical bills/needs!). And then my friend's cow delivered Clover, didn't want anything to do with Clover and my friend gave Clover to me since she couldn't afford the vet bills as Clover was so ill due to the infection. Yes, Clover required intense care but I got my sweet Jersey! And, she's now registered with the Heritage Jersey!
The chickens fell into my lap as well...a restaurant owner came and asked if I would raise chickens and sell them the eggs. A little family home & farm business came to me! I am so grateful.
My goats came about because I pursued them...although, I really had no idea which breed I wanted and friends had two does in their backyard that they didn't want in town any more. I started researching the Oberhasli breed and realized that it was a fantastic breed and I wanted them. They are registered, too. So the friends sold the two to me and the rest is history! I am so happy with the breed, too. That part definitely fell into my lap as I really didn't know what I was doing. I also met a lady who mentored me through the first few years of goat care and kidding.
So...now I'm wondering about the sheep...usually it takes about three different sources that all of sudden come to me regarding the same issue. I've had two nudges...we'll see if I get that third one!
What sort of fencing did you use, Ron, for your sheep? |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Nov 24 2014 : 1:44:55 PM
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| Pretty much whatever works with goats works with sheep. I had corrals made out of sheep panels you get at the farm store the rest was four strand wire. The only things you gotta watch are the lambs. They are small at birth and get around pretty good. Icelandics hit the ground and they are up and going. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Nov 24 2014 : 7:39:23 PM
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My goats would go right through 4 strand wire fences! We have 6' 2"x4" no-climb horse fence around our goat pasture. And, the kids are small too and can get through the smallest openings! But we separate the kids from the moms at birth and bottle-feed them their mama's milk...makes the kids very attached to humans and easy to milk when they are older.
I do like the fact that the Icelandic sheep are hardy. I get worn out during kidding season as we try to be present at each birth. This year I am considering leaving a couple of kids with the mama goat just to see how it goes. I still want milk but the work level would be easier if the mamas were caring for the young instead of me! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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![[flourish]](/images/flourish-txt_mobius.png)
Seeking advice for improving pasture quality
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