A quick info guide for people new to sheep or thinking of buying.
As more people are migrating out of the city in search of the quiet life, sheep and goats are becoming a popular household addition. If you have found yourself thinking about bringing some woolly friends into your life here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
First of all, sheep need lots of space and a few friends to be happy. In their natural habitat sheep and goats roam in tightknit groups for safety, keeping just one sheep on its own is not recommended and groups of three or more are best. You will also need some shelter – especially if you are planning to breed, some sheep yards with a raceway is essential, especially for veterinary visits and care procedures such as drenching, shearing and vaccinating.
Some things to consider:
- Do you have enough space?
- A general guide for sheep is 0.25 acres per sheep but at least 1-3 acres (for up to 12) sheep is preferable.
- Can you set up some yards with a raceway?
- There are many different options available for yards, including portable/semi-permanent that you can set up as needed. Yards vary in size and price so contact your local Ag store for guidance on where to go and what you might need.
A simple set up like this is great for smaller flocks.
Sheep and are goats are not quite as low maintenance as they may seem. We often see them in their paddocks, happily eating grass and drinking from a dam, but what we don’t see is the huge amount of time and effort spent by farmers maintaining those paddocks and water sources. Sheep and goats have complex gut systems that are easy to disrupt when nutrient balances are off.
Some things to consider:
- Can you afford to feed a sheep?
- Sheep and goats cannot survive on grass alone and require constant access to feed to protect their gut. They eat pasture that is a mix of legumes, grasses and clovers to have a balanced diet. Supplement feeding of hay, grain or pellets is often necessary for any vitamins and minerals they cannot get from pasture. Depending on the season and pasture quality, sheep and goats can cost around $30/month to feed. With the rising cost of hay livestock do not make cheap pets.
- Make sure you keep their water clean!
- Dams are regularly maintained by farmers with testing and treatments to prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Make sure you are maintaining your troughs and water sources regularly and always have fresh, clean drinking water available for your animals.
Make sure you are known to your local vet! If you are living on the Fleurieu, the Adelaide Hills, and surrounds, Compass Veterinary Livestock Services are here for you 24/7.
If you have recently bought or are thinking about buying livestock, get in touch with us to see how we can support you. For owners of 20 livestock or less, we offer our Smallholder Essentials Package to support you in getting started. For all clients we offer out of hours services 7 days a week, including public holidays.
We are committed to supporting our local farmers to achieve a high level of welfare for their animals.
Get in touch with us via phone on 8556 2496 or email us at reception@compassvets.com.au or come in and visit us at
2018 Victor Harbor Road, Mount Compass.