Sheep: breeds and planning

In short

• A sheep never lives alone. Keep at least 3, because sheep are flock animals and a lone sheep suffers, bleats and escapes.
• Allow 1,200 m² of grazing and hay ground per ewe (about a third of an acre), 350 kg of hay for winter, 5 L of water a day and 1 hour of work a week per head.
• Native hill breeds are thrifty and hardy but give less meat and milk. Commercial and dairy breeds need better feed.
• Buy only sheep with official ear tags and a movement document, from a flock with a known health history and a vet who knows it.
• Loose dogs (and coyotes in North America) are the biggest danger to a small flock. Plan a night pen and fencing before the first ewe arrives.
• Before the first sheep, get your holding number (CPH in the UK, flock number in Ireland, premises ID in the US and Canada) and check with the competent authority what else is compulsory.

What's inside

Chapters

1. What you want from sheep
2. Breeds for your land
3. How many sheep
4. The ram: your own, borrowed or AI
5. Buying: from whom and what sheep
6. Space, time and neighbours
7. Paperwork and duties
8. Sheep in the homestead loop
9. Costs and returns
10. The first-year plan
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Flock calculator
• Start-up costs
• Comparing sheep and sellers
• Flock register
• The shepherd's calendar