thylacinu

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Hey y'all, I don't own anything other than cats and dogs right now, but I'm saving up my money to get a house with some acreage in the next couple of years or so and to keep some a couple of donkeys and/or mules as companion animals as well as a small flock of chickens and maybe a few other creatures, too. I'm just looking to explore the community out here and learn as much as I can beforehand, and maybe make a couple of friends along the way

I know it's a long ways away, but at the moment I'm thinking I'll have a couple donkeys and maybe a mule, and five or six chickens. What other farm animals make good companion animals for casual/hobby herders? I've considered sheep or goats, and I know goats are much more sociable than sheep, but I haven't read up on keeping goats too much yet.

What are y'all's thoughts?
 

Baymule

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Welcome to the forum from Texas. You might want to put your general location in your avatar. Advice might be different if you live in Montana or Texas, LOL I was a member here for 5 years before we moved and I got my first sheep. We lived in town, but I had chickens and a garden. Before I joined, I lurked, so jump in, read about the animals that interest you. Ask questions, study past posts, there is a lot of information here.

I used my time to study goats and sheep. I decided on sheep, then studied breeds, finally deciding on hair sheep.

Glad to have you here. Not only are there forums for just about every farm animal, even bees, but there are forums on pastures, buildings and fencing.
 

Beekissed

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I know goats are much more sociable than sheep,

My thoughts are you've been misinformed! My Katahdin sheep are filled with personality and sociable traits. Follow me around and stick their heads into everything I'm doing, mooching for food and scratches. Good company when I'm choring around and lovely to look at out on the grass.

Goats, on the other hand, nothing but trouble with a capital T...hard to keep in fences, climb on everything they see, constantly in need of deworming.

Welcome to the forum! :frow
 

thylacinu

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My thoughts are you've been misinformed! My Katahdin sheep are filled with personality and sociable traits. ...

Goats, on the other hand, nothing but trouble with a capital T...hard to keep in fences, climb on everything they see, constantly in need of deworming.

Wow! I'd definitely heard all of those things about goats, but I had read from a few different sources that sheep were less likely to become "cuddly" pets because goats are braver around humans. Of course I know things like that vary a lot from animal to animal, and is also impacted quite a bit by how much they've been handled/trained.

What kind of sheep do you have?
 

Baymule

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I have friendly sheep.

b34ed219-0f1b-48d7-8382-ff5bcaf168fc-jpeg.67189
 

Baymule

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Both sheep and goats have their pros and cons. You just need to study them, decide what you want. Goats come in dairy and meat types, then you narrow it down to what breed. Sheep come in wool and hair types, both can be used for meat. There are dairy sheep too. It comes down to what do YOU want, what suits you.
 

Beekissed

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Wow! I'd definitely heard all of those things about goats, but I had read from a few different sources that sheep were less likely to become "cuddly" pets because goats are braver around humans. Of course I know things like that vary a lot from animal to animal, and is also impacted quite a bit by how much they've been handled/trained.

What kind of sheep do you have?

Same as Baymule...Katahdins. Sweet, moochy, docile(most of them, anyway)and easy to make into pets or just to use as livestock.
 

Mini Horses

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Goats are definitely hard on fences!!! Correct type up to start helps greatly. They do like to jump on things...especially when young or if the smaller breeds. All animals have their own "signature traits". My dairy herd is a great bunch of girls. One buck is a PITA to keep penned. Other, not a problem (older). Both are easy to handle and people friendly. Just animal behaviors. The does are very loveable,settled animals when not breeding time. Hormones rule. Once that is out of the way -- tame and well trained to their routine. Plus the bucks calm then :D They are extremely smart & have a memory like an elephant! Worm loads are often a weather/area situation which creates extremes. Proper management can control a problem....sometimes that includes their feed, browse, supplements.

Have never raised sheep.

Donkeys & mules can have their moments, also. If you have never had equine, study up on them way before you buy. Looks like that is your plan. :clap They come in many sizes. Mules are sterile 99% of the time but, if a male be sure he is castrated...prevents the urge to breed and a better animal. Actually even a male donkey should be castrated if a pet.

Chickens...most often the first animals on a farm. Even they have breeds to consider for habits and reason you get them.

So, welcome from VA!! Explore the site, ask away. :D
 
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