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sheep, are they worth considering

new2me

with less than 20 acres we were considering keeping some sheep.
is there better money in them than cattle and are they handier looked after

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Siamsa Sessions

new2me wrote: »

with less than 20 acres we were considering keeping some sheep.
is there better money in them than cattle and are they handier looked after

How long is a piece of baling twine?

Have a look at the eProfit reports from Teagasc (Google it) to get some idea of numbers and figures involved, plus how many variables you’re dealing with.

There’s a steady, small margin in sheep but you need to be well set up (fencing, paddocks, handling facilities, etc) and a system that suits you (early vs late lambing, finishing or selling as stores, etc)

You kinda have to like working with them too or they’ll break your heart

Cyclist101

I used to keep 2/3 cattle and a few sheep on a small nuumber of acres, but went all sheep as:
A) no herd tests;

shorn, you can house them in a small space in the winter;
C) you can easily get to a ewe number that justifies a ram, whereas a bull would be unjustifiable and AI takes time
D) a small trailer to bring a few to the mart is relatively cheap vs cost of a trailer for cattle;
E) compared to cattle, if one dies,it's not the end of the world
F) straw and meal is plenty for the winter, so you don't have to worry about making hay
G) sponge then and you'll get 80%+ of your lambing done in three or so days, with the rest about 12-14 days later.

If you read wranglers posts here and those if of some others, you'll learn loads quickly.

charolais0153

new2me wrote: »

with less than 20 acres we were considering keeping some sheep.
is there better money in them than cattle and are they handier looked after

Better money in sheep. Uncle has 26 acres and keeps 50 ewes and a few bullocks.so you should be able to keep 50 or 60 ewes easily enough.

There is less to do with cattle but its harder to work with them whereas its easier to work with sheep but theres more work in them iykwim. Best thing about sheep is that you are in control of them and they cant really hurt you compared to a bullocks kick.
Id go for it if i was you

Kevhog1988

I like them. Easier for me as no massive input cost. Also not as hard on land

joe35

Go to do anything with the bullocks and you need a bit of help with them. Sheep you can tip away on your own

tractorporn

new2me wrote:

with less than 20 acres we were considering keeping some sheep. is there better money in them than cattle and are they handier looked after[/quote

Neither one is easier than the other. Sheep can be more work with lameness, shearing and of course fufiling it's lifes ambition of committing suicide. But there are cheaper to get into as a ewe lamb will be roughly 150 where a weanling could be anywhere from 700 to 1000 and they are cheaper to keep. No need for housing with sheep and if done right some lads get away without making any fodder they just keep up grazing for the winter.

Downsides sheep love to wander so good fencing is essential or you will get to know your neighbours real quick. And sheep love to die.

new2me

did keep cattle but as last few years had bit of bad luck with them and when you lose animals at about a grand plus its disheartening.
always wanted to try sheep but a complete novice, 10-20 ewes would get me up and running the first year id say

new2me

going to but about 12 or so ewes in lamb, its just to keep the payments, any good hardy breeds worth considering?

Inchilad

new2me wrote:

going to but about 12 or so ewes in lamb, its just to keep the payments, any good hardy breeds worth considering?

Unless youve very good fencing and dont mind hardship stay away from the mountainy hardy types.ive hampshire downs and theyre extremely hardy.quiet and easy to handle too though.

new2me

Inchilad wrote: »

Unless youve very good fencing and dont mind hardship stay away from the mountainy hardy types.ive hampshire downs and theyre extremely hardy.quiet and easy to handle too though.

you got the proper sheep fencing up then
i dont have the sheep wire up but know a guy using 3 strands of electric fence wire but how effective that is i dont know

cheers

Kevhog1988

new2me wrote: »

going to but about 12 or so ewes in lamb, its just to keep the payments, any good hardy breeds worth considering?

I started off with three ewe pet lambs

kk.man

new2me wrote: »

Inchilad wrote: »

Unless youve very good fencing and dont mind hardship stay away from the mountainy hardy types.ive hampshire downs and theyre extremely hardy.quiet and easy to handle too though.

you got the proper sheep fencing up then
i dont have the sheep wire up but know a guy using 3 strands of electric fence wire but how effective that is i dont know

cheers

3 strands of electric wire is good. The main problem with sheep breaking are the owners. Sheep need a fresh bit often. They are not like cattle that can be left out in a big spread and don't get moved for months. They expect to be moved and if you don't keep up that they will break.
I only have to call my sheep at the gate and they know it's a different field or dosing time. Hardship in sheep is not in fenching!

Inchilad

new2me wrote:

you got the proper sheep fencing up then i dont have the sheep wire up but know a guy using 3 strands of electric fence wire but how effective that is i dont know

You could train them too it alright i suppose.would want to be short wooled enough though id be guessing for the current to carry through.

farmersfriend

theemigrant wrote: »

I started off with three ewe pet lambs

great excitement here tonight, kids have bought some ewes between them, first one had twins earlier, happy days :-)

new2me

purchased 6 sheep, 4 in lamb on saturday, we have hounds hunting in our area and odd stray dogs so hope they'd be ok

OneMan37

Inchilad wrote: »

Unless youve very good fencing and dont mind hardship stay away from the mountainy hardy types.ive hampshire downs and theyre extremely hardy.quiet and easy to handle too though.

How do Hampshire downs sell in the mart ?I hear one or two farmers say, that you don't get as much for the lamb in the mart, unless you are selling early, when fat lambs are scarce. But I also hear they are easy lambed, which I like ?