New to sheep

MrsCedarstone

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Looking into what sheep breed would be best for me. The breed selector link on this site recommended Romanov's and Finnsheep.

Any insight on sheep breeds for beginners or advice on how to prepare is welcome.

Thanks! :)
 

Baymule

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What purpose will your sheep have? Meat? Wool? Meat and wool? Pets? Milk for cheese? All of the above? LOL
 

MrsCedarstone

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All of the above! LOL :) Grass control also. My property is very hilly and hard to mow. I'd like to know a good beginner breed that can easily be handled by my husband, who is new to all livestock, and my baby son as he grows up.
 

purplequeenvt

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NOT Romanov then! From what I've heard, they are not very tame at all. Also, the are probably going to be harder to find.

Personally, I love the Border Leicester as a beginner breed. They are well known for their calm disposition. They are hardy, the lambs grow nicely (good carcass), and hand spinners love their long, lustrous, locks.
 

MrsCedarstone

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I've never heard anything about Romanov's but you are right about them being hard to find! I was just looking around at a lot of different sheep breeder's in my area and surrounding and couldn't even find one. My Aunt has raised Suffolk sheep for several years so I am most familiar with that breed but would rather have something else for my own. She is in the process of getting rid of her whole herd since she is making the switch to hog farming.
 

SheepGirl

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If you are new to sheep I would bypass prolific breeds such as the Finn and the Romanov--large litters tend to come with their own unique set of problems. Start with low or moderately prolific breeds to get the hang of gestating ewe care as well as parturition and newborn lamb care. Then you can get into the prolific breeds with 3, 4, or 5+ lambs at a time.

If I were you if you don't have a preference, just raise what is most popular in your area, or take your aunt's sheep. She will be able to help you and she will be most familiar with those genetics.
 

ohiogoatgirl

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if your aunt is selling off you could always buy a couple from her to start and then as you and your husband learn more and see specifically things you like/don't like you can figure out from there what sheep to buy and then sell off or phase out the Suffolk. Sometimes its a good thing to start with animals that are so-so while ya learn more and then get into what ya really want after ya make your mistakes :)
 

Baymule

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I am buying unregistered Dorpers. What is called a "grade " sheep. That way, if I totally screw IP and lose a couple, my feelings would definitely be hurt and I'd be devastated, but the $$$ hurt would be a little lighter.
 

MrsCedarstone

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My Aunt's are already gone, they went fast and there weren't many. I found out too late, they were already promised out and I now live 5 hours away from her also so transportation would have been difficult.

Do you have any suggestions for resources to see what is available in my area? Just by researching all the breeds I have found a few. I was interested in katahdin but I have been leaning more towards the shetland's nearby for the smaller size. I suppose there is always the option of a mixed herd...I hadn't really given that much thought until seeing your responses.

I don't plan on doing any breeding until I feel that I have the hang of just normal sheep care, just to play it safe.

Baymule that is what I want to do but I didn't realize there was a term for it. I will be looking for "grade" sheep. I do want good quality but not anything like show quality. I'm not sure where the in between would be besides just unregistered.
 

ohiogoatgirl

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craigslist. bestfarmbuys.com that website you can search for (10, 20, 50, 100) miles away from (type in your zip code).. and you can also search by state.. or search by animal/machinery etc.
 

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