Sheep ?s

[mylilchix]

Our sheep needs are to produce meat for our table and milk to drink and for cheeses. I'd prefer a sheep that I didn't need to shear for the convenience of it. Right now we're strictly thinking of 2 ewes and a ram.

I'm just curious how the taste of sheep milk compares to goat milk? I love goat milk cheeses, but can't stand the taste of goat milk. Does sheep milk have a mild taste?

Sonja
P.S. If I didn't like ugly animals than my mama llama Dolly wouldn't have made it to my house!!

 

[MissPrissy]

I have seen some sheep left not sheered for 2+ years. They were pitiful miserable looking specimens. Even if you don't want the fiber there is a need for sheering on most sheep that I have encountered.

 

[Beekissed]

From what I have read, I would have to agree with Miss Prissy on the milk quality for cheese making. This link is an interesting read:

http://www.sheepdairying.co.uk/haenlein.htm

As for sheep vs. goats, besides the reasons I've already stated, the sale of the offspring, in my area, has little comparison. Lambs just bring more money per pound. Goat meat is a niche market and more of a cultural thing than is lamb...in this area, at least.

So....for dairy, meat and profit potential in a total package, I'll put my money on the sheep of my choice. Besides....sheep are prettier than goats!

 

[Beekissed]

Even if you don't want the fiber there is a need for sheering on most sheep that I have encountered.

That's the beauty of the hair sheep...they shed theirs! And they don't need tail docking. Apparently less of a need for dipping for parasites, as well. That all adds up when someone just wants a small flock or even one or two sheep.​

 

[mylilchix]

I'm all for sheep. Dh likes them because they're Biblical. I'd rather have some cute sheep hangin' with my llamas than goats. I'd prefer a hair breed, but sheering won't be a problem since the llamas need to be sheered once a year anyway.

What are the fencing requirements for sheep? We've used 4' welded wire for our llamas, will that work for sheep?

Sonja

 

[greyfields]

Well if you're going with Fresians, then your selecting a sheep breed for dairying with poor carcass yields on the meat side of things. That's taking all the 'dual purpose' out of it! I certainly eat sheep cheese, especially if it comes from Wensleydale. But, I wouldn't say that it's superior, it's just good like all other handcrafted cheeses are.

A lot of people point to data on milk fat content and which breeds are selected for optimimum cheese making. What they fail to recognize is the deviation even within ones flock. Most breeds overlap with broad averages used for "breed characteristics".

Breeds seriously matter very very little, or not at all, for the vast majority of us who are not farming in extreme conditions.

 

[Eliza]

One word: Icelandics. Hardy, shed their beautiful wool, twin regularly, friendly, milk well, don't require grain - in fact it's not good for them, beautiful colors, good mamas, lambs shape well quickly and produce a lean meaty carcass. Check it out!

 

[buc]

Quote:
I buy a few Suffolk each year and raise them to finish, I put one in the freezer and sell the rest. Those that I sell pay for the feed and vet costs, and for the one that goes in the freezer.

Note, you have to have very strong fences to keep them in, sheep will find every hole and get out.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
No. No. No. Sheep are UGLY compared to my beautiful goats. The goats have far more personality too.

 

[Beekissed]

That was just a little joke, MP!