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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 10
If your plan is to raise a medium or large flock of sheep, try to purchase ewes with similar breeding because they will display the same traits such as temperament, breeding period, length of gestation and maturity. They will also produce lambs of similar quality that mature around the same time, and this is a plus when it comes to marketing.
Look at other sheep raisers in your area and see which breed or crossbreed thrives best in your climate. Also remember that buying from a local raiser shipping costs are reduced and the sheep are subject to less stress in transportation. Make inquiries about the practices of farmers you intend to buy from. Postpone buying from the first farmer you visit, rather check out two or three farms. Do not loose sight of your aim and unnecessarily be taken in with fancy looking farms, which of course can be efficient, but pricey. Very often full-time farmers with unpainted buildings have excellent, healthy animals to offer. All farms, no matter whether fancy or unpainted should be fairly clean. Of course there will always be organized piles of manure or equipment here and there. What you do not want to see is disguarded bottles of medicines, bags of chemicals, used needles, trash left lying around. If it has been raining or snowing the ground will be muddy, but it should not be excessively muddy, neither should there be a build-up of manure.
It is advisable to ask farmers about their breeding plans the following are some helpful questions to ask:
1. What is their goal?
2. Do they keep health and production records for you to see?
3. Are they prepared to provide a 5 day warranty? (Some farmers are reluctant to do so because they are not sure how you will care for them, however, most will stand by the health of the animals they sell you).
4. Are they prepared to deliver the sheep?
5. If you are buying locally is the delivery free?
6. Are they prepared to answer phone calls relating to the animals purchased from them when you get them home?
Should a farmer be reluctant or "off" by your questions, look somewhere else.
To avoid inbreeding you should replace your rams every now and them, once you have established their breeding record, then you can trade them with other local breeders.
The time when you buy sheep is an important factor. For example is your pasture ready to support them, or will you have the extra expense of supplemental feeding. Remember, sheep become upset when they are moved to new surroundings and this can lead to illness, so be prepared to have your facilities ready for them to ease matters for both them and yourself. It is better to move them when the weather is mild as this is less stressful. Like cows, sheep are subject to the ill effects of stress, ease their moving as much as
Look at other sheep raisers in your area and see which breed or crossbreed thrives best in your climate. Also remember that buying from a local raiser shipping costs are reduced and the sheep are subject to less stress in transportation. Make inquiries about the practices of farmers you intend to buy from. Postpone buying from the first farmer you visit, rather check out two or three farms. Do not loose sight of your aim and unnecessarily be taken in with fancy looking farms, which of course can be efficient, but pricey. Very often full-time farmers with unpainted buildings have excellent, healthy animals to offer. All farms, no matter whether fancy or unpainted should be fairly clean. Of course there will always be organized piles of manure or equipment here and there. What you do not want to see is disguarded bottles of medicines, bags of chemicals, used needles, trash left lying around. If it has been raining or snowing the ground will be muddy, but it should not be excessively muddy, neither should there be a build-up of manure.
It is advisable to ask farmers about their breeding plans the following are some helpful questions to ask:
1. What is their goal?
2. Do they keep health and production records for you to see?
3. Are they prepared to provide a 5 day warranty? (Some farmers are reluctant to do so because they are not sure how you will care for them, however, most will stand by the health of the animals they sell you).
4. Are they prepared to deliver the sheep?
5. If you are buying locally is the delivery free?
6. Are they prepared to answer phone calls relating to the animals purchased from them when you get them home?
Should a farmer be reluctant or "off" by your questions, look somewhere else.
To avoid inbreeding you should replace your rams every now and them, once you have established their breeding record, then you can trade them with other local breeders.
The time when you buy sheep is an important factor. For example is your pasture ready to support them, or will you have the extra expense of supplemental feeding. Remember, sheep become upset when they are moved to new surroundings and this can lead to illness, so be prepared to have your facilities ready for them to ease matters for both them and yourself. It is better to move them when the weather is mild as this is less stressful. Like cows, sheep are subject to the ill effects of stress, ease their moving as much as