Goats or sheep

[MillersFarm]

 

[PirateGirl]

Also check your zoning, due to environmental impacts, as well as certain diseases, some places will permit for sheep and not goats or vice versa.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

hello, at the moment i only have goats so i might be a bit biased but i have read a bit on sheep (because before i got the goats it was them or sheep)

okay, my goats are pets/fertilizer/weed wacker's to be honest i have yet to see them eat grass (had them for two weeks) they love there hay and pellets (the pellets are a treat) but they seem to much rather eat the tumble weeds and other weeds before touching the grass.
now i think it depends what you want to do with them. right now am looking at meat goats or sheep to raise for market.

but then you have to deal with the male, the ram i don't think is much of a problem but a buck goat stinks. so if your breeding keep that in mind.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for all the info everybody! Appreciate it and it's very helpful. I think maybe I will just get them as pets. Eventually if/when I move or start a farm I think I might want to breed and/or milk them, raise meat animals, sell products from them (wool, meat, soap, cheese, yogurt, etc.) But for now that is a lot of work especially when I'm trying to work on other stuff atm. So I think maybe getting a few as pets might be best. Maybe I could get both?

 

[BaltimoreWoolCo]

I have Jacob sheep and find them absolutely delightful. They're very smart and quirky and full of personality. They definitely do not pull up grass/plants by the roots and they most definitely do eat weeds. Even that damned mile-a-minute vine. My ewes keep the grass trimmed and fertilized and also grow very pretty wool that I use for felting and handspinning into yarn. I can easily sell raw wool, handspun yarns, and items I've made from their wool. And they're pretty to look at. I love to relax by sitting and watching them in the field.

Years ago a a friend who raises both sheep and goats gave me some advice. She said "if you want a cool pet to hang out with, get sheep. If you want to chase after toddlers, get goats." I should mention, though, that my girls have been very well socialized and like people.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have Jacob sheep and find them absolutely delightful. They're very smart and quirky and full of personality. They do not pull up plants by the roots and they most definitely do eat weeds. Even that damned mile-a-minute vine. My ewes keep the grass trimmed and fertilized and also grow very pretty wool that I use for felting and handspinning into yarn. I can easily sell raw wool, handspun yarns, and items I've made from their wool. And they're pretty to look at. I love to relax by sitting and watching them in the field.

Years ago a a friend who raises both sheep and goats gave me some advice. She said "if you want a cool pet to hang out with, get sheep. If you want to chase after toddlers, get goats." I should mention, though, that my girls have been very well socialized and like people.

Your sheep sound amazing!!! And that sounds like good advice! You may be swaying me on sheep aha

 

[BaltimoreWoolCo]

Your sheep sound amazing!!! And that sounds like good advice! You may be swaying me on sheep aha

Honestly, you would probably do just fine with either one. Or both. Just start with healthy stock, find a good vet and a mentor, and do what you love. That being said, I wish I'd gotten sheep 20 years ago! I just love them.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

SHEEP!!!

I'm biased though....

My grandparents have a bunch of sheep, and one, Cotton, is mine. They are all sweet, but their goats are... um...well.... Nicely.... SPECIAL....

 

[ShrekDawg]

Honestly, you would probably do just fine with either one. Or both. Just start with healthy stock, find a good vet and a mentor, and do what you love. That being said, I wish I'd gotten sheep 20 years ago! I just love them.

Thanks! This is good advice! So are goats friendly and/or fun at all or just a pain? Aha

SHEEP!!!

I'm biased though....

My grandparents have a bunch of sheep, and one, Cotton, is mine. They are all sweet, but their goats are... um...well.... Nicely.... SPECIAL....

LOL they both sound awesome

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh amd how many sheep do you need? They seem like more of a herd/flock animal than goats? So like 4? Or 6? Or is 2 okay like it is for goats?