Feeber lambs - DL

[dori36]

Here it goes:

Sheep and goats die from lack of care, and lack of knowledge. Not the willingness to die.

Do NOT buy your critters from a salebarn if you plan on anything remotely long term. You have to very vigilant about sore mouth, foot rot (each takes YEARS to eradicate once you have it). Buy from a farm that you can visit to see what they have (just like cattle)

For weeds, I would go with goats. I don't like them, but for true weeds (not just long grass) nothing beats a goat. Make sure you have good fences (cattle tight isn't tight enough). Plus you do not have to shear them.

If you are looking very short term (4 weeks or so), ask your local youth group (4-H, FFA) to see if someone has a small flock or a few for you to care for.

Must have scrapie tags as DL said.

Wish you luck.

Thanks so much ....everyone!  I now at least have some ideas as to whether it's worth bringing them in.  I like the idea of contacting a 4H group after the fairs are over.  Some might like the idea of their sheep/goats going away for a few weeks to "camp"!

 

[JbarL]

Dori - sheep and goats require scrapie tags - email me ([email protected]) maybe we can talk at the fair (or otherwise) - you may actually be able to "borrow" sheep, goats or cattle to deal with your pastures. There is also a pretty good meat goat market in our area.....

theres an article in progressive farmer ( april may?) mag. about a guy who incorporated meat goats into to his cattle herd....big ethic meat market as dl stated...and actually helps with his pasture rotation health as well....  of course its the issue i cant find....  ...i'll pas it on if i can find it....jbalr

 

[kanshow]

Meat Goats are great for clearing brush and getting weeds.  The biggest thing is to keep them wormed.    They are pretty hardy if they are parasite free.    As far as fencing goes...  a good 3 wire electric will keep them in.    You can get by with 2 wire on older nannies.    We had some corrals that had wire cattle panel sides and they continually got their heads stuck until I ran an electric wire along the existing fence to keep them out of it.    A word of caution.. when they get out - notice I said WHEN not IF..  they will devour your bushes, small trees, etc.      They are not hard to round up and put back as they learn very quick to follow a bucket.      If you plan on wintering them, you'll have to figure out a good way to keep them from wasting feed/hay.