tortoise
Wild Hare
I'm at a point where I need to decide what direction to take my flock.
I have 6 breeding ewes and 2 lambs. They're dual purpose mixed breed, white face, white wool. We started with 2 ewes, 1 ram. I've only sold one lamb in the past - at a swap meet for not enough money. This year my head count so far is 9 to sell and 2 to butcher.
My pasture has supported 200 sheep, with a previous landowner/farmer. I believe it's 35 acres of pasture, plus can rent from the neighbor(s), can convert 15 or so acres from rented crop land to pasture. We also have another 35 ish acres of rented cropland that could become pasture if it made financial sense.
1) I have some tame ewes, and very much enjoy a small flock of pet ewes.
2) I'd like to make some money, possibly transition into sheep production?
3) DH wants a closed flock
4) I'm interested in totally hands-off pasture raised animals. Which contradicts #1 and forces a decision
5) I don't have any kind of handling system or chutes.
6) I can't drive a tractor. Heck, I can't drive a lawn mower, but I keep trying and might figure that out? We have a tractor, DH runs it.
7) We don't have a livestock trailer.... no idea how we're going to get animals to auction.
I'm 33, disabled - trouble with temperature extremes and temperature changes, but quite able when the stars align. DH is 41, veterinarian, ouchy knees.
What direction do you think we should go? What would you do?
I have 6 breeding ewes and 2 lambs. They're dual purpose mixed breed, white face, white wool. We started with 2 ewes, 1 ram. I've only sold one lamb in the past - at a swap meet for not enough money. This year my head count so far is 9 to sell and 2 to butcher.
My pasture has supported 200 sheep, with a previous landowner/farmer. I believe it's 35 acres of pasture, plus can rent from the neighbor(s), can convert 15 or so acres from rented crop land to pasture. We also have another 35 ish acres of rented cropland that could become pasture if it made financial sense.
1) I have some tame ewes, and very much enjoy a small flock of pet ewes.
2) I'd like to make some money, possibly transition into sheep production?
3) DH wants a closed flock
4) I'm interested in totally hands-off pasture raised animals. Which contradicts #1 and forces a decision
5) I don't have any kind of handling system or chutes.
6) I can't drive a tractor. Heck, I can't drive a lawn mower, but I keep trying and might figure that out? We have a tractor, DH runs it.
7) We don't have a livestock trailer.... no idea how we're going to get animals to auction.
I'm 33, disabled - trouble with temperature extremes and temperature changes, but quite able when the stars align. DH is 41, veterinarian, ouchy knees.
What direction do you think we should go? What would you do?