Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
sheep from good breeders, but you also will make valuable contacts that can help you as you
raise your own sheep.
Where to buy lambs and sheep
Sheep make a wonderful addition to the farmstead and can be a valuable tool for weed con-
trol. They provide fiber and meat, both potential side sources of income to an off-farm job. In
a small-scale farm enterprise, sheep fit well into a low-input farming system because they
need minimal housing if lambing coincides with warm spring weather. Starting out with a
small group of ewes (ten to 20) and a ram is an excellent way to enter into sheep farming. It is
not advisable to purchase your breeding stock from an auction or sales barns. Ewes at these
places are usually old, diseased, or crippled and will bring heartache to the farm family.
It is best to purchase registered sheep so you can have some guarantee that the ewe or ram
you are getting has been born when the breeder states it was born, and so you will know who
its mother and father are. You can purchase registered sheep at their association's state, re-
gional, or national herd shows. Check your local feed store for fliers and posted information
about upcoming shows; and check with sheep breed associations to find out if they will have
upcoming shows in your area. You can find links to sheep breed associations on the Hobby
Associations.aspx
.
Another option is to purchase sheep to replace old or culled ewes from a
commercial sheep grower who raises ewes for his or her own flock. Sometimes these growers
raise more than they can use and offer them for sale. You can locate these growers by contact-
ing your county extension agent, a local veterinarian, or through local farm newspapers.
What to look for when buying sheep
When buying sheep, examine the lambs and sheep to make sure they are healthy individuals.
Their eyes and noses should be clear and free of discharge. Their ears should be clean inside
with no signs of parasites. Their skin and coat should look healthy. Check the sheep's teeth.
Do the teeth look in good shape? Do they appear to coincide with the proper age of the anim-
al? Check the sheep's feces. There should be no trace of diarrhea. The feces should look small
and firm. The animal's hooves should look healthy with no signs of swelling or redness. If
you are buying a ewe, check the animal's udder and teats to be sure she will be able to give
milk. The seller should be able to provide you with records for the sheep that list all medica-
