The purpose of hoof trimming is to remove excess growth, so the animal will move freely. What kind of sheep? You must also consider who can look after the goats when you are away. Keep Sheep As Pets. Some milk replacers have a coccidiostat. They offer good companionship to you and as well as some of your four legged farm animals. Many taught wires would need to be installed in order to contain lambs and deter predators. Hair sheep are far less likely to get flystrike, however, because they don't have long wool that can become matted with manure. They should be administered with an oral dosing syringe that has a long metal nozzle. Over the years, the worms have developed resistance to the drugs. Jules Moore offers some basic tips. Some people think urinary calculi think early castration causes urinary calculi, when in reality, it is a nutritional problem. If you’re not sure about hay quality, the cheaper of the available products is probably what you want for your pet sheep. Sheep are mostly just incredibly stupid animals. If a sheep is off, its temperature should be taken. Pasture or a decent quality grass hay is all that is usually needed. He's by himself and I've never raised lambs before him so I'm a bit of a newbie and I read online that its better to wean abruptly? I wasn’t raised on a farm, or by farm people, so when I first started breeding sheep, I learned everything I know from my vet. Sheep are excellent grazers and prefer a diet of grass and clover. Skip to next photo. Reasons Sheep Makes Good Pets Naturally polled (hornless) animals are also advised. Sheep can be a joy to keep. Sheep can be a joy to keep. Do not wait until the last minute to contact a shearer. How to Tell if Ewe is Pregnant, Ready to Birth & Mating Tips In other words, they are hardier and more disease-resistant, just like "mutt" dogs. In addition there are strict laws covering the keeping, feeding, identification, transport and slaughter/killing of farm animals. They may also prohibit the keeping of sheep. There are two things to keep in mind when feeding pet sheep. It should not be feed that is balanced for other livestock or marketed as a general livestock feed. Let me just say this: The condition happens when the wool around the anus and vagina of the sheep is left there for too long, becomes moist with urine and caked with manure, stays warm and moist for long periods of time, and turns into a breeding ground for flies. (the fly thing sounds awful). In particular, it will help to prevent urinary calculi in wethers. They won't enjoy a diet of only hay all year long - it's the difference between what will keep them alive and what they will really thrive on. Part of the reason for their aggression is the animal itself. Sheep without front teeth have a more difficult time grazing short pastures. I have a wether lamb who's currently a month and a week old. Wait for me! They are less likely to get fat if they are consuming a strictly forage diet: hay, grass, browse, etc. The domestic sheep, like most livestock animals, has become just as dependent on its human keepers as we have on the products it produces. Lambs, because they are still growing and developing their immune systems, will benefit from some supplemental (grain) feeding. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Maintenance feed for healthy sheep that need a little grain to keep their weight up shouldn’t exceed one-quarter pound per sheep per day. Related Articles. Nothing should be added to complete feeds, as they are already nutritionally-balanced. Sheep; Pig; Snail; Keeping Goats As Pets: How to Feed & Care For Pet Goats. People don't usually raise sheep for pets and to some the idea is sort of " around." We bought our Dorpers for pets, and to breed since we had a ram! Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on January 18, 2014: Wow, I always thought I would like to have some sheep but I can see it is not like having a dog or cat. They also know the face and voice of their owner and can get very attached to them. For example, alfalfa hay is too rich for adult sheep, unless they are nursing lambs. Can they have sprays, etc.? It's also healthier for them to have access to fresh grass and pasture forage during the growing season. You must be prepared for a long-term commitment when keeping goats. A veterinarian who specializes in small ruminants will be an invaluable source of information for you. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. When you are done, the nail, sole, and heel should be parallel with the growth bands around the outside of the hoof. There are also 7 and 8-way (Covexin-8) vaccines that confer protection against additional clostridial diseases. Unlike other pets, miniature goats don’t bite, kick, or scratch. They are also more tolerant of heat and more resistant to worm parasites. Sheep naturally seek higher places. If anyone appears to be making a cosy living keeping a handful of sheep spinning the wool, dyeing it in blackberry juice and then knitting it into garments to sell at the local market t… They come in several different breeds, some of which require annual shearing (trimming) and others that shed annually. The Ultimate Guide To Sheep As Pets. Other worms cause digestive disturbances and may cause diarrhea (scours). Furthermore, sheep are an ongoing commitment. Krissy. I went to a sheep farm and they seem to like me, especially the lambs. 4.7 out of 5 stars 47. So you shouldn't need to worry. Rams … It chews its cud. Rachel Koski Nielsen (author) from Pennsylvania, now farming in Minnesota on July 17, 2012: Thanks, Dirt Farmer! There are numerous goat breeds available for raising as pets. The most common symptom, though not always, is diarrhea (scours). Bovatec® (lasalocid) and Deccox® (decoquinate) are coccidiostats that are approved to be fed to lambs. Voted up. As you know, goats are very smart, playful and they can make good companions. Question: How often do you have to groom sheep? RELATED QUESTIONS Do sheep know their names? I doubt if I will ever raise sheep, but this looks to me to be an excellent article for anyone who is into sheep to read. Krissy and Fargo. They should not have horns. Answer: You should shear wool sheep at least once a year. We are using board fencing, and livestock panels with T posts. The YouTube videos were fantastic. Sheep should not be allowed to eat feed off of the ground. I understand that when sheep graze they graze deep and often destroy the grass -- is this true or false? It is normal for sheep to have parasites of various kinds in their digestive systems. They should not be raised singly. Sheep have accepted, donkeys, cattle, horses, and goats as their flock. Heritage or other landrace breeds are another good choice for pets, especially if you plan to breed your sheep. I also don't think you can reliably house train a sheep. Wait for me! Long wooled sheep may benefit from twice a year shearing. If you’re sure that you’re in a coyote-free zone, and have an electric fence installed that will deter dogs, you can probably get away with something more like a big lean-to. All of these dewormers are FDA-approved for sheep and can be conveniently purchased from farm supply stores or over the internet. Females (ewes) or wethers (castrated males) are recommended for pets. Lambs (1-6 months of age) are most vulnerable, especially around the time of weaning. Aside from their place in farming, sheep can also make good pets, and from what I've seen, keeping sheep as pets is a growing trend. 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