Learn More About Goats and Sheep

Lambing can happen in different seasons, but spring lambing falls around Easter and can add some additional excitement to the official ending of winter. When born in the spring, lambs thrive due to the mild temperatures and the fast-growing quality pastures. Similarly, the lambs are also growing fast, so their nutrition needs to focus on their growth and also their health. That fast growth means they have a high requirement for energy and protein in their diet, and a well-managed pasture with other diet considerations for these lambs is important for them to finish successfully. Spring Lambing Pros And Cons Spring...

What Do Sheep Eat? Sheep are ruminants, which means they have one stomach with four compartments. Some farmers that raise sheep will strictly raise them on pasture. Sheep can meet their nutrient requirements by mainly consuming forages on pasture, and in colder months, good quality hay. However, supplementing their diet with grain products and minerals can provide assurances on better feed efficiency, growth, production, and reproduction. Most producers will supplement sheep with grain when breeding, during pregnancy, lactation, malnourishment or as lambs. Grain provides extra nutrients during these stages of life. Farmers can cut down on the cost of feeding grain if they only allow...

Sheep Characteristics Sheep, like goats, are considered prey animals. They prefer to be in a herd to feel safe from predators. This instinct makes them skittish around people and other animals, resulting in sheep flocking close together. When comparing how to care for sheep versus goats, there are many similarities, but there are some slight differences. Sheep can be slightly bigger, and have thicker coats compared to goats. Sheep, depending on their breed, need to be sheared, unlike goats, who shed on their own. Housing for Sheep Sheep are hardy animals. However, shelter is highly recommended for protection during harsh weather. Sheep can...

It is easy to see the similarities between sheep and goats. They are both small ruminants and look similar to each other in size and weight. They can also have similar mannerisms and personalities. To the untrained eye, they seem to be almost the same, right? Actually, sheep and goats are very different in many ways, and even have different nutritional requirements. Visual Differences Coat – Perhaps the most obvious difference is their hair coat. Many breeds of sheep (with the exception of hair breeds) are known for their wool and require regular shearing as part of a comprehensive herd management plan. Most goats...

Raising sheep can be a very rewarding venture and there’s nothing quite like a barn full of lambs. There are a few things that every shepherd/ess needs to know before they dive into lambing. This article will provide you with an easy reference for facts about breeding and feeding recommendations for each stage of reproduction. The Basics of Sheep Reproduction Most sheep are seasonal breeders. This means that their fertility increases when the length of days begins to shorten in the fall. The most natural time for breeding is during October and November and the average gestation takes around 21 weeks....