#BEST DOG BREED FOR HOBBY FARM HOW TO#

Other sheep commonly raised for meat are hair sheep – so named because they shed what woolly fibers they have (if any) fibers that are of no value. The Southdown in particular is a great breed for young children, as they’re small, cute, and easy to prepare for show. I think these breeds are an excellent choice for beginners with youngsters interested in showing sheep at their local fair. They also don’t produce as much wool each year. But their wool isn’t as highly valued as those produced by wool breeds. Some meat breeds such as the Southdown, Suffolk and Hampshire produce wool as well. Sheep breeds raised for meat production are valued for their rapid weight gain, hardiness, and the lean, well-muscled carcass they produce. In my experience, they tend to be slightly more docile than larger breeds as well. Many of these breeds are known for their hardiness, for being prolific and for their strong maternal instinct. Hand-spinners and those interested in knitting and felting custom items adore these breeds. These breeds produce long, lustrous fibers which are highly valued by craftsmen and craftswomen. We’ll cover most of them here: Long Wool Sheep Breedsīreeds with long wool, such as the Romney, Border Leicester, Lincoln, and others are popular with beginners interested in hand-spinning and fiber arts. Each of these sheep “categories” is filled with a variety of breeds that excel at their given production role. Let’s dig a little deeper and explore the different breed types available to you. Jacob – A unique black and white wool coat with unique horns (up to 4), Jacob sheep are striking to look at, easy to handle, and will add interest to your farm. Choose whichever is available in your area.

Want to produce both quality meat and wool.Ĭorriedale or Columbia – Each of these dual-purpose breeds are attractive, hardy, and productive as a meat and a wool breed. They’ll produce high-yield lambs that are ready for slaughter early. Texel or Suffolk – Either of these terminal sire breeds work great for commercial meat production. Merino – the gold standard for high quality wool for high-end garments. Romney – a docile, beautiful breed with lustrous fleece that’s perfect for hand-spinning.Įxpert fiber artist / commercial wool production. Katahdin – this hair breed won’t require shearing, their meat is great, and they’re parasite resistant which will save you money. Want sheep, but don’t want to bother with annual shearing. Southdown – a small, cute breed that’s easy to handle and prepare for show. Young child joining 4H and planning to show for the first time. These are the breeds I’d recommend to friends and family based on the type of sheep they want. The breeds below are what I consider to be the best breeds to own for different types of farmers getting started with sheep. But in case you’d like someone who has raised sheep for years to give you a nudge in the right direction, I’ve put together the following list. We have an expansive breed directory which can be a great place to start your research. Best Sheep Breeds for Beginners (my picks) Each breed is different, so exploring why you want to have sheep will help guide you to the right breed. Some breeds produce excellent wool, some are big, rapid-gainers that are great for meat production.

That may seem like a strange question, but every type of sheep can serve a different purpose on your farm. As you decide which breed is right for your operation, there is one question you should ask. I’ll also provide an overview of the different types of sheep that are available, so you can make an informed choice.īut, first thing’s first. In this article I’ll share some of the best sheep breeds for beginners. There are literally dozens of breeds of sheep to choose from when choosing a breed for your farm. Sheep Nutrition Guide: Sheep Feed Requirements Per DayĪll sheep are not alike and deciding on the type of sheep you want to raise is a big choice.How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal?.

#BEST DOG BREED FOR HOBBY FARM HOW TO#

How to Shear a Sheep (step by step with video) Menu Toggle.How to Show Sheep (7 sheep showing tips for any level).

Show Lamb Supplies (4H sheep showing equipment list).

How to Buy a Lamb that Will Win! (ideal market lamb pick).

How to Create a Business Plan for Sheep Farming.

Best Sheep Breeds for Beginners (your options).

Keeping Sheep (how to prepare your farm & yourself).

Sheep Farming for Beginners Menu Toggle.

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