SHEEP?

[OldMcDonald]

I have never shedded animals until I moved to Portugal - and ran a few hundred in the UK and over 1500 sheep in Australia plus goats. I did shoot the occasional dog that strayed from neighbours, and took the dead dogs back. Nobody will argue with you about shooting a dog that attacks sheep because they are in the wrong.

Here it is essential to securely shed all small stock at nights. It does them no harm whatsoever, and be liberal with their bedding so you get lots of fym. I feed a minimum two ounces of commercial sheep pellets in troughs and the stock (goats) come running when they see me in the evening. If you have water in the shed then you can keep them penned, again without harm, if you need to be away for a while in the daytime. If you are away from the property every day then do not take the sheep, because sooner or later a predator will get them if they are left to graze, and whilst it is possible to keep them permanently shedded I think it is unnatural. Many milk flocks of sheep and goats around the world are kept indoors at all times. You will need hay as well as bedding. Make sure you have enough of both to see you right through the winter before taking the sheep. You must not run out of either.

Have fun. They can be rather irritating animals at times.

 

[Welshman]

WATER: I've been thinking about what I need to do for water in the winter. I initially thought that I would put a stock tank in the stall and use some sort of tank heater to keep the water from freezing. Is there any potential for the sheep to nibble on the cord? Frankly, the idea of an electrical appliance running in the barn surrounded by hay and straw makes me nervous. Or, I can place a tank in the paddock and deal with the ice as needed. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Tororider]

I started with sheep this year. We have six Shetlands in about a half acre pen and they have yet to make a dent in the grass. I have a shed that is about 8'x4' I made out of pallets. Most nights they sleep under the stars and only retreat to the shed when it is raining hard. We have coyotes around but they haven't bothered with the sheep, we have field fencing. I may add a hot wire this winter. They don't drink a whole lot and I plan to deal with the ice as it comes.

For treats I use an all stock sweet feed, but they also come over for hand picked clover.

You can find pictures and a description of my shed build here.
Sheep Can’t be Trusted | homesteaddad

 

[Welshman]

Thanks, Tororider (neat blog, by the way).
So that shed is the only shelter that they have (very clever)? What size stock tank (or container(s)) for water do you have?
How old were yours when you got them?

 

[Tororider]

Thanks, Tororider (neat blog, by the way). So that shed is the only shelter that they have (very clever)? What size stock tank (or container(s)) for water do you have? How old were yours when you got them?

Thanks. Yes that is the only shelter they have. I understand that there are other breeds that require more shelter than Shetlands, but I still think that shed would suffice.

I think I have a 41 gallon stock tank. Even on hot weeks they only probably drink a quarter of the water in it. I dump it out and clean the tank weekly anyways.

Four of the sheep at my property are mine, two are my brother in laws. His mother sheep is 2.5 I think and his ram lamb was born in the spring. My ewe is around 4.5 I think and my two ewe lambs were born this spring. My ram is around four as well I think.

Feel free to message me or ask more questions on the blog. I have only this season's experience but I am happy to share what I have learned.

 

[J35]

Thanks. There won't be any lambing unless by immaculate conception - the males have been castrated. :shocked:

Good deal--Male sheep that have been castrated are called Wethers.

---------J

 

[RichZ]

Welshman, the easiest thing for water in the winter for sheep are heated 16 gallon water buckets. You can often find the cheapest prices for them on-line, just google "16 gallon heated water bucket". I usually can find them for about $75 with shipping included if you search hard. Since they are self contained buckets, you don't have to worry about the heater falling out and starting a fire. Sheep don't typically play with the cords of the heaters. If I remember you initial post, you will have something like 6 sheep, and the 16 gallon bucket will be fine if you check it every morning and night and make sure it's filled at least once/day. As was said earlier, sheep don't drink much in the winter.

 

[Tororider]

RichZ,
Like this?
API 16 Gallon 260 Watt Heated Bucket 16HB:Amazonet Supplies

 

[RichZ]

Exactly, Tororider! That's the one.

 

[Welshman]

Well we're behind schedule (caught a summer chest cold), but we're almost ready.

I've got what may be a dumb question: I've got a yard hydrant at my barn that I've never used in the winter, but will need it now. What happens to the water in the vertical pipe above the underground valve, and why doesn't it freeze?
Thanks.