Wanting sheep, tell me everything I need to know!!

[FeatherFarms]

Ok, so I'm still in the research stage of obtaining a new animal and want to make sure I have EVERYTHING accounted for that I could ever need. I want to get a couple show sheep next year. I'm looking into getting 1 Dorper Ewe and 1 Southdown Ewe so they will have separate market classes, and I can still show them in their respective breed classes. First off, please info dump anything you think I should know. Second, please share your list of must haves for sheep care, grooming, and showing supplies. I'll put my list of everything I have thought about so far below! Share any life hacks for watering systems or anything else to make it easier or save a bit of money. Finally, I also posted a separate thread for this, how do y'all deworm?

MY LIST OF SUPPLIES
FENCING
Goat and sheep panels with posts (for a dry lot)
HOUSING
an old storage shed for a barn
FEED
Sunglo show lamb feed
salt and minerals
high quality Timothy hay
TRANSPORTATION
livestock box for hauling
MEDICAL
(emergency kit)
thermometer
baking soda
vetericyn
blu kote
sheep nutri drench
bandages and gauze
need to figure out deworming
GROOMING
slicker brush
pocket brush
mane and tail shampoo
Leg Shag conditioner
weaver degreasing shampoo
weaver body conditioner
weaver pro pink
corn huskers lotion
small and large shears (head and body)
shearing stand
blower
OTHER SUPPLIES
clip on feeding troughs
water trough
halters
leg wraps
tubes
fly spray
pellet bedding
feed storage container
fans
drench gun

OKAY THANK YALL!!!

 

[4-Hgirl]

I don't know too much about sheep but like goats you need to make sure the panels have small gaps like if you look at the fence in the picture those gaps are about 4 X 4 inches and goats and sheep are both stupid enough to get their head stuck in a panel that small so make sure the gaps too small for their heads to fit through

 

[Mini Horses]

have EVERYTHING accounted for that I could ever need.

never happens....60 yrs & still know that

 

[Ridgetop]

Ok, so I'm still in the research stage of obtaining a new animal and want to make sure I have EVERYTHING accounted for that I could ever need.

never happens....60 yrs & still know that

Same here after 45 years! Never have everything you need and youi aways need it desperately right after the vet and feed store close for a long weekend.

Seriously, first you need to post what your location is since that will give us more ideas about what you will need. Also your age, and property facilities. Experience comes with time.

Second, is your aim showing meat sheep in 4-H youth market classes or are you an adult planning to show in regular breed competition?
Market lamb classes are for younger animals destined for slaughter. The breed is unimportant in these classes although breeds that muscle out and gain weight fast are preferred. Some breeds are not suitable for market classes since they do not put on meat properly. Crossbreds are often used. Some market lamb prospects cost a much or more than a good breeding animal. Market lamb classes are broken up by weight not breed. You cannot show the same market lambs each year since they will no longer be lambs next year.
Showing market lambs is completely different from showing breeding sheep so that will require different equipment and skills. Market lambs are shown by one person in the ring and without a halter. Ram lambs cannot be shown in market classes, they must be wethered (castrated). Ewe lambs can be shown in market classes. Show market lambs are fed a different type of feed in order to bring them to weight. You need to cut the hay and increase the concentrates as the show nears in order to decrease the normal gut size (hay belly) and present a sleeker, muscled animal.

Third, are you planning on only showing market animals or will you do a breeding operation?

Breeding sheep are shown in halter and usually with a second person in the ring helping you - one to hold it on halter and one to set up the rear legs. Breeding sheep shows limit the ages of the animals. Lamb classes are divided by age of the lambs based on birthdates. Yearlings are also based on birthdate as well as on tooth age. Older animals are not shown being expected to be in the fields producing more lambs. There is sometimes a class for older Stud rams which are usually up to 3 years of age.

Fourth, a breeding operation will require even more equipment and skills, along with the use of a ram if you don't own one.

We need more information from you on your goals.
All these things require different items and in fact, different sheep. For instance if you plan to show Southdowns you will need to learn to shear and fit a wool breed. If Dorpers, then they will shed out and you will not need as much skill in shearing.

There are dual purpose breeds, but not for show sheep. If youi are planning to show, the competition is heavy, fierce, and in the adult classes can be cutthroat.

Give us more information and we can help you more.

 

[FeatherFarms]

I am a youth, and have never shown any type of large breed livestock so we’re starting from scratch here as I’ve only owned rabbits and chickens. This is my last year that I am able to show before college, so I really just want the experience of showing something large breed and sheep have piqued my interest! The goal of this project is to get the smallest amount of sheep but show as much as possible. My plan as of right now is to get 2 registered ewes that are meat type breeds. That way I can raise them as market lambs and show them in market classes, but also show them for the breeding classes too. I will have to sell these sheep after fair, so nothing is long term. At least at my county fair, hair sheep and wool sheep are divided into two market classes (and then beyond that by weight) so I want to get 1 hair, likely a Dorper, and 1 wool, likely a Southdown. I know these animals may not place the top of their class because I am using them as dual purpose, but I also can not invest in top genetics. Additionally, even if I had a genetically superior sheep, my lack of experience and knowledge is likely to cause that sheep to not reach its full potential. In terms of property facilities, we have acreage but nothing set up to accommodate livestock. From people I’ve talked to, market sheep do not need much space and they do not need grass. The plan is to use a portable shed for their barn (add ventilation and fans) and divide the back portion of the shed into two smaller pens for feeding time. Then to have a small dry lot built out of sheep and goat panels and tposts attached to the shed. For skills like hoof trimming and shearing, I have already been in contact with experienced sheep people who also show that can assist me with those things. I enjoy dog grooming so working with shag and shearing is actually something I’m quite excited about Right now, I’m at the point of making a cost estimate and fully deciding if I’m going to send it or if large livestock showing is something I’ll never get to participate in.

 

[Baymule]

Go for it, even if you can afford only one sheep, just do it or you’ll always look back with regret.

 

[Ridgetop]

Ffirst, instead of 2 sheep, I would recommend getting one good market wether for your first effort. By only getting one lamb, you can combine the money you would have paid for 2 lambs and get a better one. The wether will grow better and bring you more in the market auction, unless you have a buyer for a potential brood ewe.
Second, if you want to show as much as possible, look into the ongoing market shows that do not auction. There are shows that will have classes for younger and lighter weight sheep that are judged on their growth and potential. These are youth shows so open to you.
Third, check with your friends that show sheep and talk to them about the shows available in your area. Not all ongoing shows are for registered sheep and a lot of the shows are specific to one breed or another. Choose the breed with the most amount of shows around.
Fourth, since you are going off to college, learning how to properly fit a sheep for show and learning how to present it in the ring will be good experience if you decide to show or breed sheep after college.
Lastly, you are correct in that a market wether needs no pasture since they are kept for a shorter time until showing and sale. Your show friends can help yu learn how to fit and present your lamb in the showring.

Have fun!