Sheep vs goats for keeping the grass down

[NS2A]

I have about a one acre "pasture" that has mature elms plus some evergreens, bushes and seedlings I planted growing. I used to mow under there, but because of all the trees, it'd take literally 3 hours just for that area. So, the past 2 years I've just let it grow up.

My plan was to put sheep back there and maybe some goats. The goat idea is pretty much out because I know they'd eat everything they could reach. But what about sheep? Would they leave the trees and seedlings alone?

I thought about sectioning it off in 1/3 acre parcels and rotating them. How many sheep could I really put in this area to keep it fairly manitained?

 

[MandyH]

I have sheep and they eat more than the goats. They even eat the bark off the trees as high as they can stand on their hind legs and reach. Sheep are really cool pets though.

 

[greyfields]

Sheeps mow grass. Goats are modified ruminants and will browse feed and must have supplemental feed under most conditions. Sheep are far better for turning a mess into a green pasture.

 

[helmstead]

If you like your trees, you'd be best to stick with mowing, LOL, both sheep and goats will eat the bark which might kill the trees.

 

[GwenFarms]

As Greyfield said, goats prefer to browse and eat vines, shrubes, tree leaves. Sheep are grazers. She are well known for being very docile and sweet. They are just so fuzzy and lovable.

Geez...I maybe I should have sheep instead of goats

 

[Ericasl]

Hi, I have both 2 sheep and 1 goat, they keep our acre trim and very clean. If you have little trees you can put fencing around them to keep them away! I have a cherry tree the sheep do not mess with it but the goat does! The sheep are grazers and the goat is just into everything!!I think he would eat rocks if he could.

 

[greyfields]

My buck is in with my girls currently and he has a vendeta against hand tools. If I go in with a shovel or rake to even up the ground, he goes ape shizzle and just kicks the living hell out of the hand tool. He then usually pisses all over it. I don't understand it. He amuses me to no end. He was bottle fed as a kid, so he doesn't threaten me at all.

I raise Texel sheep and my ram is pedigree. He is so calm that I can walk right up and set him up for vaccinations, hoof trimming and worming. My neighbor with 260 ewes has 3 Texel Rams and we daren't go in the field with them without a baseball bat. They are very agressive.

So, I guess the point is when it comes down to goats or sheep and how they may behave, a lot will depend on the individual animal rather than the species or breed.

 

[bonasilva]

My buck is in with my girls currently and he has a vendeta against hand tools. If I go in with a shovel or rake to even up the ground, he goes ape shizzle and just kicks the living hell out of the hand tool. He then usually pisses all over it. I don't understand it. He amuses me to no end. He was bottle fed as a kid, so he doesn't threaten me at all.

I raise Texel sheep and my ram is pedigree. He is so calm that I can walk right up and set him up for vaccinations, hoof trimming and worming. My neighbor with 260 ewes has 3 Texel Rams and we daren't go in the field with them without a baseball bat. They are very agressive.

So, I guess the point is when it comes down to goats or sheep and how they may behave, a lot will depend on the individual animal rather than the species or breed.