How much space do sheep need?

Question

So I bought a lamb. Don't freak out, it's not a cute little pet, well it is cute, but, that is besides the point. It's an SAE for the Agriculture class I'm doing. The thing is, we can't keep them at the farm after the project is over. My choice is slaughter, or find it a home. The farm I'm at right now can't keep any, and well... no other homes.

I have been considering slaughter BUT, I was thinking of keeping it and breeding it for next years SAE. I have a farily large backyard and I live behind the farm, I could walk my sheep there. I could convert my backyard into like a sheep pen.

I already have a shed up which we could convert into a shelter, for heat and snow. The pen would be about 15 yrds by 17 yrds is this enough room to house, raise, and breed an ewe lamb? I wouldn't purchase a ram, just breed her with one and then raise 1 or 2 more there.

I forgot the type, their wool with black faces/legs

Is this enough space for at max 3 sheep? I could exercise them at the farm.

Answer 1

The space is big enough for one sheep to do well. Likely she may raise two lambs. Now you are up to three sheep until you sell the lambs. If you try to keep two or three ewes then you can see your numbers will get out of hand for your space very fast. You would stare to have an order problem soon as well. Stick with your one ewe and raise her lambs and be prepared to buy a little hay to help your grass along and you should be in good shape.

Answer 2

10 to an acre would be good. they smell after that

Answer 3

this is an excellent link all about keeping sheep as PETS

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Unusual-Pet...

I have pet sheep.. but of course I also have 10 acres

you do have enough room, yes..

BUT you should find out if your area allows you to have sheep -as per zoning laws...

depending on her breed she might have 1 - 3 lambs...

I would suggest finding a HAIR sheep to be the dad or at least a ram smaller than her

for food production many people breed to bigger rams.. but this results in lambing complications and breeding problems.

anyhow read the link - good luck with your project.. she will be happier with a friend as sheep are herd animals

Answer 4

That should be plenty of room for two or three sheep. Three things to keep in mind though:

1. Your property has to be zones to permit livestock.

2. Sheep can eat a lot of food, big expense.

3. Rack of lamb REALLY tastes good.

Answer 5

They just need enough space so they can move around and they wont get claustrophobic and die. That happened to mine 6 times. poor whiskers.....

Answer 6

If you have any extra yard space, consider using electronet to temporarily give them access to areas between trees and shrubs.  They will have fresh pasture and it will save you the expense of mowing the yard.  I often do that, except I'll run 100 animals at a time.

Do keep in mind that when sheep are confined to small areas and the grass is grazed closely to the ground, intestional parasites are going to be a problem.  Worming lambs once a month from May to September is a good rule of thumb.  Worm the adults when the inside of the eyelid becomes pale pink (and especially if white) instead of bright pink.  Paleness denotes anemia caused by the blood sucking parasites.

Answer 7

Are they Suffolk's?

Sheep really do best outside and as a rule of thumb you can graze 6 sheep to an acre. The space needs to be sectioned so that it doesn't become 'sheep sick' ie diseases and problems are usually confounded by too little space, a sheep's worst enemy is another sheep. The cost of keeping said sheep will probably outweigh the benefits and slaughter is the usual reason for keeping livestock. you could have it slaughtered, sell some of the meat and use any profit to subsidise next years project.