[Ag-eq] Nella's Sheep Questions

Mon Sep 7 12:57:51 UTC 2015

How long do you have to wait before you can put goats on a pasture you've
spread urea on? 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel via Ag-eq
Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2015 4:50 PM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: Jewel
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Nella's Sheep Questions

Also, if you intend to spread chemical fertiliser on your paddocks and you
run goats, avoid uria as it is akin to POISON to them!

          Jewel
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Zach Mason via Ag-eq" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2015 12:37 AM
To: "'Agricultural and Equestrean Division List'" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Zach Mason" <zmason.northwindsfarm at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Nella's Sheep Questions

Sheep are extremely sensitive to excess copper. You are right. I wouldn't
feed a cow or goat, or any grain mix for that matter except that formulated
specifically for sheep to sheep. Jewel makes a good point in that if you can
give your goat's access to a mineral lick with the appropriate levels of
copper in such a way that it excludes the sheep, you might want to consider
switching over to feeding a sheep grain to everyone to cut costs. Just keep
in mind you cannot feed any feed containing monensin or rumensin-probably
didn't spell those right-to horses. It will kill them. However, goats and
sheep will keep healthier when fed a coxidiostat.

In my experience, sheep are pretty intense when it comes to meal time,
especially when fed at certain times of the day. It wouldn't surprise me if
they outcompeted your goats and horse if you made them eat at one location,
or bowl you over if you try to feed them individually. When I did chores, I
would feed the flock first, and while they were stuffing their faces I would
sneak in and feed the animals requiring individual care.

Concerning "dags", we've not had a problem, but our flock is 100% tail
docked, the lambs go at 5-8 mo of age, the ewes are sheered once yearly, and
the ewes have outdoor access except during lambing.

I love sheep. They're so stupid and greedy, and unashamed.

I too am interested to increase the number of blind people interested in
agriculture. My plans are in their infancy stages, but could we do a little
livestock show? Maybe at convention or something? For me, showing in 4-H was
a huge part of why I'm in agriculture-that and growing up on a farm.
Unfortunately as a master's student I don't have the time to help with
organizing such an event anymore.

Zac

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
Ag-eq
Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2015 6:32 AM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Nella's Sheep Questios

Jewel:

I have seen the back sides of sheep and that is why I'm leaning towards the
hair breeds instead of the wool breeds.

Do you sell sheep wool?

Can you find people to sheer your sheep?

Goat and sheep poo is not as messy as cow poo when on the ground, that is
what I meant by less messy.

Maybe I'm confused but I thought that I read sheep can be sensitive to
copper in large amounts.  I thought the reports were saying that sheep need
smaller amounts of copper than goats and horses.  A couple of farmers have
told me the same thing.  One man said to much copper could kill a sheep, so
I will research it again.

I keep baking soda, a salt block and a mineral block out for my goats and
horse.
 I have seen loose minerals for specific species and ones that list several
livestock species.  The horse and goats have happily live together for
years, I've also had goats and mules together and it was very successful.
They seem to have similar dietary needs and everyone has stayed very
healthy.  I worry if I introduce a cow or a couple of sheep, I will do
something wrong and somebody will get sick.

I like to do lots of research before trying a new project.  I don't want my
animals suffering because of my ignorance.  My other big concern about
introducing sheep is bringing in diseases that could harm the goats.  I have
a CAE and CL free herd and would like to keep it that way.  Sheep can carry
those diseases, but cattle cannot.  I have beautiful healthy goats, that are
good milkers, so do not want to put them at risk.

I really appreciate everyone's advice.  I love how this group shares with
one another.  To bad we can't get more blind people interested in horses and
agriculture.

Nella

Quoting Jewel via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>:

> This is the 4th time that I have started this letter re Nella's 
> queries
about
> sheep, .  For some
> reason, the computer keeps
>
> shutting down and I lose what I have written, so, here goes:
> My dearest Nella!  you said that sheep poop is a lot less * messy than
that
> of cattle!  Dear--o dear
> oh  dear!  It is,
>
> obvious:  well, obvious to me anyway:   that you have never run your hands
> over a sheep's backside!
> * MESSY doesn't even
>
> come close to it!
> It is true that there are sheep that have been, selectively, bred to 
> be worm-resistant and to have bare backsides, but such
>
> divine animals may command a premium price. but they are worth the 
> extra dollars because you will save on the cost of
>
> drenching [de-worming] and crutching [clipping wool off mucky 
> backsides],
so
> if you are able to, get
> them, however, if you
>
> cant't, we will take them out of the picture.
> With your normal, common or garden run-of-the-mill baa lamb, the 
> excrement will get caught in the wool, and will, in time,
>
> and not a very long time at that,  and will, build up into lumps of 
> shit
the
> size of a cricket ball,
>
> or if you are not familiar with a cricket ball, say an obese tennis ball!!
> We, here in New Zealand call these balls DAGS, and that gave rise to 
> a, perhaps, unique Kiwi expression, not heard often
>
> now, but still remembered by the old-timers, such as your present
> correspondent:  ergo:  "Rattle
> your dags!"  which means
>
> "get a  wriggle on/hurry up!" and comes from the fact that these dags,
when
> dry, will rattle like
> castanets when the sheep
>
> are running.  Kiwi lambs, usually have their tails removed when they 
> are a few weeks old.
> I have, personally, been responsible for introducing the instruction
"rattle
> your dags!" to a number
> of Americans who have
>
> added it to their family lexicon!
> and now, pressing on to the grazing habits of sheep/goats.
> These 2 species make an ideal grazing combination as the goats prefer 
> to
eat
> the weeds and rougher
> types of grass that are
>
> unpalatable to sheep while they, the sheep thrive on clover which the
goats
> avoid.
> I think, though I may be wrong, that you have copper requirements all 
> arsie-boo!  Sheep and cattle require copper, while
>
> goats can do without, though a very small amount won't harm them!
> American goatkeepers usually have a bin of baking soda, and one of 
> loose minerals to which the goats have free access!
>
>        Jewel
>
>
>
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