Sheep & Rain

WorthItFarms

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This is a quick question that I hope has a quick *answer*. (sorry about that)

A friend of mine has two adult Gulf Coast Native ewes free-ranging in a field. One has a week old lamb at its side. The ewe has been standing out in the rain with her lamb all day. Is there enough lanolin on the lamb to keep it from getting wet? Will the rain cause it to get sick? They have a shelter to get into, but won't. Advice?
 

SmallFarmGirl

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Sheep are fine in standing out in the rain all day! :D
I'm almost positive but, let smart sheep people guarantee you!
 

Beekissed

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Sheep/lambs are fine in the rain. Even the hair breeds have more lanolin than you first think, but when you start pulling their shedded hair/wool you realize your hands are covered in lanolin.
 

carolinagirl

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I just moved my Blackbelly sheep to a new pasture and I am sure they won't use the shelter I provided for them because it's unfamiliar. I built it more for me than I did them because I'd feel guilty if they had no shelter to get in. I know they will be fine in the rain, but I still don't like the idea of them standing out in the rain.
 

WorthItFarms

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Okay, I will let her know. I figured GC sheep were hardy enough to handle it, just wanted to check.
 

Beekissed

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An old farmer told me that sheep carry their barn on their back so there was no need to worry about them in bad weather. Most of the folks in these mountains do not have shelters of any kind for their sheep or cattle except a treeline along the pastures.
 

SheepGirl

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My sheep, though they are wool breed crosses, will be out grazing in the rain, snow, and even hail. The only time they come in is when they aren't able to walk because of the amount of snow on the ground.

A sheep will go in the shelter if they want to.
 

aggieterpkatie

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Adult sheep can handle rain, though freezing temps and rain is harder for them to handle than snow. A lamb may not be able to handle it though. Keep an eye on the lamb, and if it acts cold (hunched up looking) then I'd move them into a shelter. The lamb may also not want to leave its mother, so keep an eye on it.
 
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