Goats or sheep

[Going Quackers]

I have 3 sheep. A mom and two adolescent lambs.
They are easily spooked and a bit skittish but can be very affectionate and friendly if you spend time with them and they love love LOVE sweet grain and getting scratched! I haven't noticed mine eat too much grass. In fact I think they are picky with their grass!
They are part of a breeding program to recreate/preserve the rare Herdwick breed. They have herdwick blood but aren't pure.
I haven't had any experience with goats, but good luck with whatever you decide!

I think sheep by nature are just skittish and easily spooked... all mine were, the only exception would of been my main breeding ram, he took ALOT to get him riled up.

For the most part though, if you work closely with them, they can be pretty tame.. my last two always ran towards me and jumped up on me lol... my remainder still does...

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks! that was Emma and her ram lamb Brady.. They are a mix of breeds used to create the calico wool pattern...

Nice! They're really pretty!!

I think sheep by nature are just skittish and easily spooked... all mine were, the only exception would of been my main breeding ram, he took ALOT to get him riled up.

For the most part though, if you work closely with them, they can be pretty tame.. my last two always ran towards me and jumped up on me lol... my remainder still does...

that's awesome!!

 

[Going Quackers]

Nice! They're really pretty!!



that's awesome!!

Thank you! yeah, except a hoof in the ribs not so much lol.. i am rather short.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you! yeah, except a hoof in the ribs not so much lol.. i am rather short.

Lol aw that does sound rather painful!

 

[Going Quackers]

Lol aw that does sound rather painful!

Yeah and the girls just never understood why i was "GET DOWN" it's like seriously don't kill shepherd.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah and the girls just never understood why i was "GET DOWN" it's like seriously don't kill shepherd.

Lol do they kick very often?

 

[BaltimoreWoolCo]

Thanks for the info!! You've been very helpful!! I think there was just a big fiber festival here and I missed it! Maybe next year. Or maybe they'll be another one in another state sometime.

https://www.easternstatesexposition.com/p/fiberfestival

I think I'll get 4 then. Do sheep do well with mixed breeds or is it better to have all one breed? Shetland sheep seem to be a little more common here, there are at least a couple breeders each of the other ones too I think.

You can mix breeds and there are usually no problems. You may have to watch things if your breeds are very different in size and your herd boss is a big sheep. I have a good friend who runs Shetlands, Soays, and Babydoll Southdowns together with no problems. We only have Jacobs now but are planning to add a few Hog Island stock in the near future.

If you're interested in heritage breeds you may want to check the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. They have a lot of info on heritage breeds of both sheep and goats. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list#Sheep

It looks like are more fiber festivals in New England in Spring. That's better then having to wait another year.
https://newengland.com/today/travel...best-sheep-and-wool-festivals-in-new-england/

 

[BaltimoreWoolCo]

I have 3 sheep. A mom and two adolescent lambs.
They are easily spooked and a bit skittish but can be very affectionate and friendly if you spend time with them and they love love LOVE sweet grain and getting scratched! I haven't noticed mine eat too much grass. In fact I think they are picky with their grass!
They are part of a breeding program to recreate/preserve the rare Herdwick breed. They have herdwick blood but aren't pure.
I haven't had any experience with goats, but good luck with whatever you decide!

How wonderful! Herdwick are lovely little sheep. So easy to fall in love with them!

 

[ShrekDawg]

You can mix breeds and there are usually no problems. You may have to watch things if your breeds are very different in size and your herd boss is a big sheep. I have a good friend who runs Shetlands, Soays, and Babydoll Southdowns together with no problems. We only have Jacobs now but are planning to add a few Hog Island stock in the near future.

If you're interested in heritage breeds you may want to check the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. They have a lot of info on heritage breeds of both sheep and goats. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list#Sheep

It looks like are more fiber festivals in New England in Spring. That's better then having to wait another year.
https://newengland.com/today/travel...best-sheep-and-wool-festivals-in-new-england/

Thanks! That's good to know if I decide to try a few different breeds! Although I'm really liking the idea of the Shetlands. They are soo cute. And I'll have to check out that link! Thanks!

And that's good there's gonna be more fiber festivals! Yay!

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Why not both?