This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Sheep are often seen as difficult and stubborn animals to take care of. But, in reality, they can be surprisingly simple to manage if you know the basics. The key is to pay close attention to health (more on that later). Whether you're looking for a small pen or want to let your sheep roam free on pasture land, there are certain necessities that will keep them happy, healthy and content. Read on to find out how to take care of your sheep like a pro!
Fencing for Your Sheep
The first thing you need is a sturdy fence for your sheep, whether it’s in a pasture or a small pen. Sheep have a knack for escaping any loose fence. If you’re using a confined pen, cattle panels are best because they provide a solid fence that is difficult for them to break, and usually can’t get their head stuck in, keeping them safe and secure. If you’re going with a pasture, woven wire works well but can be hard to tighten and maintain. You could also train your sheep to respect an electric fence - just make sure you have at least 5 strands running across the area, two or three of which should be hot. If your sheep escape, simply put them back in the pen and watch for about 10 minutes. They will usually go right back to where they got out and you can then fix it.
Food & Water Sources
Your sheep will need access to clean water - preferably from a tank no higher than 12 inches off the ground so they don’t have trouble reaching it. If they're out in pasture, grass will do fine; they’ll even prefer weeds over grass, so you can easily clean a weedy pasture up! If you keep them in a confined area, hay and grain should be provided at certain times during the year (more on that later).
Shelter and Protection
Sheep are very easy prey and need protection from predators. If your sheep are on pasture this could be a llama, donkey, livestock guardian dog, or a combination. Even in a confined fence, having a guard animal with them will help deter predators sneaking into the pens when you’re not around. When have a few pens that are difficult to seal up from the outside and are often targets for predators. We run a guard llama or donkey in those pens. I have a guardian dog for my bird flock, and will add another specifically for the sheep in the future. Additionally, make sure some form of shelter is available for lambing season so the mothers (and their offspring) can stay warm and dry when necessary.
As I've grown in my journey as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So I MADE MY OWN. You can take a look at it on the link blow and buy it on amazon below
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Helping Your Family Homestead for Food group! This community is for the Mommas, looking to stay home and raise their kids, but unsure how to keep everyone fed and make ends meet. I share tips from my journey from the office, to half the income and feeding my family from home, while maintaining good nourishing food. Tips include: gardening, bulk buying, caning,/preserving, livestock, homesteading, and home remedies. Your family is precious and this group is to help you gain the knowledge and tools to keep your family well and not reliant on outside professionals. Remedies and tips are easy and simple for the busy momma, time is precious after all, including pregnancy, birth, young kids, and illness. Trust your Momma gut again! This community offers the resources + community you need to help get started on your journey and prepare for whatever future you envision.
Starting to garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening learning curve and made them into a simple course to jump start your gardening your life.
Supporting Your Family Naturally From the Inside Out community!! This community is for the Mommas, looking to Support Your Family from Nature for Wellness. Tips range from nutrition, herbals, detoxing, natural cleaning, and essential oils. Basically all the things I’ve learned slowly over the past 5+ years if my journey. We have moved off Facebook, so to better serve our community and be able to discuss openly option for providing for your family in the best way possible.
Join the FREE Community
Join the FREE Community
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned better and how to care for my body naturally and prevent common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will get you the tools you need to have a naturally healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine all the things pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without the Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
Click here to get the stories straight to your email:
For more on wellness tips click here:
For more on homesteading on your budget click here:
For more simple DIY updates click here:
0 Comments