Sheep?

[ShrekDawg]

What are sheep like to own? I've wanted goats for a while but my mom saw a flyer for a sheep festival thing next month and now she randomly tells me she wouldn't mind getting sheep. So now I'm curious what the differences are and what you use sheep for. Cause I wanted goats for brush clearing and pets but I don't think sheep eat brush? I wanted wethers cause I don't really care about the milk thing but if I did get female goats, they could do that too. Is sheep milk even useable? The main reason my mom doesn't want goats is that she is convinced they have some special disease. She says when little kids die at petting zoos, it is from goats. I really don't think that is true but who knows. There is no convincing her otherwise I don't think because the idea that they have some obscure deadly disease is so deeply set in her. She also thinks they're ugly and not as cute and is scared by them. My dad thinks the eyes are weird. I, of course, think they're adorable and have great personalities but I'm trying to do more research into sheep just in case I can't get goats because I don't really want to get an animal that won't have at least one purpose. So what are sheep usually used for? I know that's probably a broad answer but in general. We wouldn't get anything for a while probably, I need to do more research as I don't like impulsively acquiring animals, plus we're busy with the garden right now. But I'm trying to get as much info as I can because I agree that they are just ADORABLE. Oh and btw we have a lot of land, almost 3 acres, but a lot of it is woods, but the yard is huge too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I feel like goats would be more practical because they have so many possible uses but I'm not sure there's any convincing them. Maybe if I get sheep I could sneak a couple goats in there eventually. Ha

Oh and do people sheer their own sheep or what? What do you do with all the wool?

 

[MillersFarm]

I'm not to sure about sheep, I'll be getting 2 ewes pretty soon myself so if you still haven't gotten any i'll let you know how they are. My goats are pretty annoying but are much be useful than sheep in my opinion. Goat's milk is much healthier to have instead of cow's milk, Their meat it pretty good too. Goats are amazing when it comes to clearing brush though so if you want an animal for that then i'd suggest getting the goats.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks! That would be great if you could let me know. Yeah, goats seem more useful and practical. I will keep trying to convince them. I'm obsessive about washing my hands anyway haha

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I would rather have goats. I’m not sure that you can drink goat milk. I’m not an expert

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, I'd rather have goats too so I will keep working on that. Can they be housed together?

 

[Zinjifrah]

My experience with sheep is that they are marvelous tick magnets. Want ticks? Get sheep. Don't want ticks? Better dip those sheep often and thoroughly. Suffice to say I do not have sheep.

Goats are far more personable and entertaining, in my admittedly biased opinion. But then, I never again want to flip a lamb over to get T&T'ed and see ticks scatter on its belly. Ever again, at any time in my life. I HATE ticks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

My experience with sheep is that they are marvelous tick magnets. Want ticks? Get sheep. Don't want ticks? Better dip those sheep often and thoroughly. Suffice to say I do not have sheep.

Goats are far more personable and entertaining, in my admittedly biased opinion. But then, I never again want to flip a lamb over to get T&T'ed and see ticks scatter on its belly. Ever again, at any time in my life. I HATE ticks.

Oh wow, that sounds gross! Lol

I definitely don't want ticks!

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

I would say do all that you can to get goats. I highly doubt that they always have a disease that can be passed to humans, as I've owned goats for years along with adults and children alike (and nobody has died so far). I personally think that sheep don't have much purpose other than meat and wool, but I am biased... I love goats a lot! They have so much personality! You can train them for shows and fairs, sell them, breed them, milk them, use their meat, make them into lawn mowers, etc.! They're pretty great
I owned sheep for about a year along with my goats, and they were mostly scared of everyone. They were fine, but I definitely prefer goats.
Good luck convincing your parents! I've done a lot of that to get chickens, fish, a cat, a dog... The trick is research.

 

[Duckztailz1]

It's pretty much impossible to get anything from a goat to human. Only thing I could think of is if the goat Rams you with its horns or if you just eat piles of their poop... I know it's hard to explain science to people sometimes..


I was actually looking for go to myself till I learned about them and realize I'm actually looking for sheep! So here's my limited knowledge:

Goats are more friendly but also escape artist and are selective when it comes to what they want to eat. They will eat Poison Ivy and bushes and other stuff that you probably wont gone. But they're going to eat it at their own convenience.

Sheep are skittish but they graze all day long and will be able to eat all your grass, bushes, your weeds. You do have to shear them once a year, but you can take that wool and turn it into clothing(you can have your first non slave labor sweater)

If you're actually looking for an animal that is going to serve a purpose in your farm from my understanding the Sheep is the more practical animal. And if it doesn't turn out the way u wanted you can always turn them into some lamb chops!! ...