Goats or sheep

[ShrekDawg]

Why not both?

Definitely considering that option!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Goats and sheep share the same disadvantages. Both like to eat chicken food and are very adapt at picking up chicken feed that they find on the ground. They also like to take over your chickens living quarters for themselves thus forcing you hens out into the open.

Of the two sheep are definitely the easiest to keep by virtue of their habit of not escaping from the pen near as frequently as a goat. Maybe Mark Twain said it best when he suggested that a goat could go over, under, around, or through a 10 rail high, rail fence. Not even an electric fence is goat proof unless the goat want's it to be.

Sheep is the most used or milked animal on Earth. Sheep milk is also supposed to be best milk for making cheese. While goat milk is supposedly the best for drinking while cows milk is better made into gee and butter.

 

[Going Quackers]

Maybe Mark Twain said it best when he suggested that a goat could go over, under, around, or through a 10 rail high, rail fence. Not even an electric fence is goat proof unless the goat want's it to be.

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LOL! that is the main reason i opted to go sheep.. i did not want animals who's goal was to get out all the time.

Mine never have/had access to birds areas, but the birds can come in their area for clean up.

 

[Going Quackers]

Lol do they kick very often?

Sheep don't kick, they ram, leap and bounce... and boy can they get high.. like seriously up there as a shorter person it's probably more risky when they do. My ewes like to jump up, well two did but they were very tame... not all were that "in your pocket" and no these were not bottle lambs.

 

[Going Quackers]

Why not both?

Not to enable or anything lol.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Goats and sheep share the same disadvantages. Both like to eat chicken food and are very adapt at picking up chicken feed that they find on the ground. They also like to take over your chickens living quarters for themselves thus forcing you hens out into the open.

Of the two sheep are definitely the easiest to keep by virtue of their habit of not escaping from the pen near as frequently as a goat. Maybe Mark Twain said it best when he suggested that a goat could go over, under, around, or through a 10 rail high, rail fence. Not even an electric fence is goat proof unless the goat want's it to be.

Sheep is the most used or milked animal on Earth. Sheep milk is also supposed to be best milk for making cheese. While goat milk is supposedly the best for drinking while cows milk is better made into gee and butter.

Well for me the bird thing wouldn't really be an issue since they wouldn't have access to their area and if they did, I'm switching to bucket feeders and waterers soon so I don't think I could get in it anyway. Nor up the ramp and in the door. Pretty small. Although a goat probably could lol

And oh wow they sound like real escape artist trouble makers lol

And thanks for the info on the milk, that's interesting. I never knew that.

LOL! that is the main reason i opted to go sheep.. i did not want animals who's goal was to get out all the time.

Mine never have/had access to birds areas, but the birds can come in their area for clean up.

Yeah same

Sheep don't kick, they ram, leap and bounce... and boy can they get high.. like seriously up there as a shorter person it's probably more risky when they do. My ewes like to jump up, well two did but they were very tame... not all were that "in your pocket" and no these were not bottle lambs.

Oh wow lol sounds crazy. I'm 5' 11" so maybe wouldn't be as much of an issue?

Not to enable or anything lol.

Lol that's alright

 

[BaltimoreWoolCo]

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!

Shetlands are fabulous. All of the hardiness of a primitive breed and so many gorgeous colors and markings! Ii's hard to get tired of Shetland wool.

The only other advice I would add is this - parasites are the weak link of both sheep and goats. Learn all you can about parasite resistance and deworming methods for your animals. I currently check lower eyelid color and deworm only if an animal has a low FAMACHA score on the eye chart. But this may vary according to your geography, health of your stock, etc. Best of luck and let us know how you make out on this journey!

 

[Birdsong 82]

I like the idea of both. I have no sheep experience but I choose to get goats because they produce milk for consumption and soap making and cheese making. They are great landscapers and have cleared up all the overgrown brush in the back of the property and have been a big help since the lawnmower is broken. They definitely have quite the personality. They are disadvantages are being escape artists and no ornamental plant is safe on the property. And if they are able to get out they will jump on just about anything. Including your car. I have small half dents all over the hood of my car to prove it. Which ever you choose whether it be sheep or goats I hope you enjoy your journey. I guess the choice would be dependent upon what you Plan on doing with it

 

[ShrekDawg]

Shetlands are fabulous. All of the hardiness of a primitive breed and so many gorgeous colors and markings! Ii's hard to get tired of Shetland wool.

The only other advice I would add is this - parasites are the weak link of both sheep and goats. Learn all you can about parasite resistance and deworming methods for your animals. I currently check lower eyelid color and deworm only if an animal has a low FAMACHA score on the eye chart. But this may vary according to your geography, health of your stock, etc. Best of luck and let us know how you make out on this journey!

Sorry! Completely forgot to reply! Anyway, thanks for all the help!

I completely agree, love all the colors and marking when I was looking it up and their wool seems soft and nice.

And thanks, that's a good idea

I like the idea of both. I have no sheep experience but I choose to get goats because they produce milk for consumption and soap making and cheese making. They are great landscapers and have cleared up all the overgrown brush in the back of the property and have been a big help since the lawnmower is broken. They definitely have quite the personality. They are disadvantages are being escape artists and no ornamental plant is safe on the property. And if they are able to get out they will jump on just about anything. Including your car. I have small half dents all over the hood of my car to prove it. Which ever you choose whether it be sheep or goats I hope you enjoy your journey. I guess the choice would be dependent upon what you Plan on doing with it

Thanks!!

Goars do sound awesome and I do like the idea of the property being cleared cause we have a lot areas that need it but I don't really like the escape artist part or jumping on the cars LOL

 

[Going Quackers]

Well for me the bird thing wouldn't really be an issue since they wouldn't have access to their area and if they did, I'm switching to bucket feeders and waterers soon so I don't think I could get in it anyway. Nor up the ramp and in the door. Pretty small. Although a goat probably could lol

And oh wow they sound like real escape artist trouble makers lol

And thanks for the info on the milk, that's interesting. I never knew that.



Yeah same




Oh wow lol sounds crazy. I'm 5' 11" so maybe wouldn't be as much of an issue?



Lol that's alright

AT 5'11 you should be fine i am only 5'2 so yeah close to the ground lol.