Thread: Sheep on small acreage - are they low maintenance ?

Scouse, sheep will eat the grass down to the roots, killing the grass. If you want them as lawn mowers, consider Dexta cattle.

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DEXTA fence crawling things! if there is less than 5 strand they are gone

The sheep seem to be doing a good job by the pic just need to move them to another paddock when it gets short

Scouse

I would keep them but probably keep the numbers down so they don't stuff the grass. 6 seems like a lot for 3 acres but depends on the rain and if the previous owner fed them something additional to the grass (chaf/hay/grain). Generally the shearer will shear them for no cost in exchange for the wool.

Generally they are pretty cheap and prices depend on the seasons as you would expect. No rain i.e drought, very cheap and possibly free, as this was the case 3 - 4 years ago but I think they generally range from $30 - $60/head but check a rural website or a paper like the Country Life.

From experience don't turn your back on a ram or bend over in front of them and other than that they pretty easy (not bad eating either).

Regards
Andrew

Sheep are high labour animals compared with cattle. Get a couple of steer calves if you don't want to slash/mow your few acres. Bloody sight easier than animal husbandry.

Yeah! a Jersey with cow calf at foot,then you milk problems are solved

Originally Posted by UncleHo

DEXTA fence crawling things! if there is less than 5 strand they are gone

The sheep seem to be doing a good job by the pic just need to move them to another paddock when it gets short

Maybe five strand, but it doesn't need to be very high Uncle.

Yeah! but one gets sick of chasing after them when they decide to head back home 15 miles cross country

Agree with Brian's comment re sheep being high labour animals. Cattle seem to be being suggested by many but have you considered goats?

If you do end up with one of the suggested options, I think you also need to decide if you are willing to kill and eat them (and whether this is possible under current legislation) or are they just going to become family pets and lawnmowers.