Goat/Sheep = Lawnmower: Economical Idea?

[ohiofarmgirl]

this is a great discussion - i'd love to have sheep also... so it begs the questions... what breed? i saw the painted sheep message - but what about the more common breeds? i'm looking for easy and meat

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

We have sheep and goats (along with horses and llamas) running in the same pasture, and sharing the same area of the barn. They all get along perfectly. WHEN I do need to grain I put the goats feed in an area the sheep can not get---(don't want the sheep to get the copper)...They all eat outta the same hay feeders though and get along great...When on pasture they get along great as well.. I have yet to have any problems with the goat/sheep being together...Actually our pygmy buck Houdini and our shetland/black welsh ram Shake-N-Bake are the best of friends. They are always together and seem to talk back and forth. They from day one have been like this and never fought with each other...

We at times will take a few sheep or goats (which ever seems to want to be out) and put them along the ditch lines to eat up the tall grasses and weeds. Then bring them back in at nigt. I don't leave the tied out at night for their own safety. Our horse does a wonderful job of eatting the grasses down along the ditch as well. I haven't tried the llama yet, as sometimes she doesn't like to be haltered....

I personally think either would be good weed/grass controllers for you. Do you plan on breeding--what about the babies, or milking any does??? I guess I would look at questions like those first before making the final choice....But if you ask me....I would say get both...lol

 

[ams3651]

my sons class visited a local farm and they have a small breed of sheep that does not need to be sheared, it says you can have 2-4 per acre. They are also very good for meat. I have a large side yard I hate to mow, Im considering this breed. I also have about a 1 1/2 acre field.

http://www.saskkatahdinsheep.com/why_raise.htm

 

[griffin45]

Looking at it from an econical point of view, sheep feed as compared to dog food is about 200% less. A decent dog food costing near $30 for 40lbs compared to a decent sheep feed that cost about $12 for 50lbs is a no-brainer to me. Remember that you have to feed the sheep in the winter time! We have Jacob sheep which are a primative breed and small and feed efficient. They are less expensive to keep than our 4 dogs and 5 cats, but so are the goats. Time wise I think sheep and goats are more expensive, but that is the time spent that I love the most.

Chris

 

[enola]

get a couple of goats and a couple of sheep, then the grass and the weeds will get eaten

 

[BantyHugger]

Quote:
Hmm, perhaps this isn't a bad idea. I could get a boer goat and at the end of the summer he could go with the sheep. Has anyone here ever eaten goat meat? Also what kind of shelter will these guys need?

 

[BeardedChick]

They need a decent shelter - they can get sick if they get wet and cold. Last thing you need is a vet bill on a lawnmower!

 

[BantyHugger]

Quote:
No this thread is too young to die! Look There's still questions! All random information on Goats and Sheep that someone might use is welcome. Thanks
Mariah

 

[Tala]

How are sheep about keeping them in the fence? I know goats are a nightmare

Our yard is basically one big weed (lots of clover type stuff) but in the summer that dies back and it does have a decent crop of Bermuda underneath all that spring clover stuff. If sheep eat both and stay in the yard, AND can be eaten in the wintertime (who need a lawnmower when the grass is dead?) maybe I can convince hubbs.

I've been thinking about goats because of the weediness of our yard, but the whole keeping them in presents too many problems - so I just keep mowing and thinking

 

[MissPrissy]

Sheep are not hard on fences like goats can be. With sheep you don't need electric fences either. With a thick wool the electric fence doesn't phase them.