Boarding someone sheep - how much to charge?

[Michael & Donna]

There is a lady who is in the process of moving, has 6 sheep that she needs to board for a month or two until she gets their new pen ready. How much is fair to charge her to board on our farm? Our animals pretty much free graze/range and they get some feed as a treat at night.

 

[Baymule]

If you don't have to buy feed for them and all they do is graze, then all you are out $$$ wise is the grass they are eating that could go to your animals. If this is a friend and you are trying to help out, then I'd charge somewhere between $10 to $20 per month for each one. You will still have to water the sheep and check on their well being, thus taking your time daily.

 

[Baymule]

Oh, I wouldn't make it so cheap that it's better for her to leave them with you, rather than get their pen built and take them home.

 

[NH homesteader]

I'm just curious if they will be living with your animals or have a separate area? Sorry I don't remember what kind of animals you have. If they will be living with yours you should find out what diseases can be passed between sheep and critters you own. Wouldn't want yours to get sick in the process!

And assuming every one is healthy, it depends on what work/money you will have into it.

 

[Michael & Donna]

We don't know her. She's moving to our area. We have goats and a turkey in that area. We are in the process of fencing off another section so we could separate them if we need too.

 

[NH homesteader]

Goats and sheep could pass all kinds of things to each other I believe. I would separate them if possible... But I don't know as much about sheep.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I would have them tested for Johne's, OPP, & CL before you let them step foot on your property. Also ask about soremouth, this is the reason why I won't get any lambs to raise for the freezer. Its just not a risk I'm willing to take and most breeders around here think its not a big deal.

Be sure fecals have been checked on all the sheep as well. They could be dumping parasites and cocci all overs your new pastures.
Remember that they will have a "bloom" and that it will be dumped on your land as well.

http://iiad.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Meat-Goat-and-Sheep-Part-2-English.pdf

CAE and OPP are very similar and goats can get CAE from OPP+ sheep and vice versa.

 

[NH homesteader]

See that's what I was waiting for... Thanks. OK so I know someone who had sore mouth on their farm and told us it was "no big deal" but it sounded like maybe a bigger deal than they thought?

 

[Southern by choice]

I would have them tested for Johne's, OPP, & CL before you let them step foot on your property. Also ask about soremouth, this is the reason why I won't get any lambs to raise for the freezer. Its just not a risk I'm willing to take and most breeders around here think its not a big deal.

Be sure fecals have been checked on all the sheep as well. They could be dumping parasites and cocci all overs your new pastures.
Remember that they will have a "bloom" and that it will be dumped on your land as well.

http://iiad.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Meat-Goat-and-Sheep-Part-2-English.pdf

CAE and OPP are very similar and goats can get CAE from OPP+ sheep and vice versa.

X 2

also when "arguing" for hierarchy sheep RAM goats BUTT.
If your goats are pregnant and a sheep rams her on the side she could abort.

We had sheep and we had to separate them for this issue.

If for one month, and you had a REAL dry lot that gets swept and cleaned that may be different.

 

[Michael & Donna]

Thanks everyone. We may pass. We have 6 pregnant does.