Q&A for How to Care for Sheep

If you have a breed of sheep that is used for wool, you might want to use a conditioner. It is just like washing a dog; you rinse, then scrub with soap, and rinse again. I would recommend letting it dry naturally, not by blow drying, as this can affect the quality of the wool.

Some of the most common ways to check an animal's health is by looking at its face for discharge (any liquid-like substances) coming out of the eyes or nose, checking their genitals for any inflammation, and checking their feces for worms.

Keep the dog on the leash and make the introductions slow and short at first. Make sure the dog knows to listen to you, have it stay and sit while you are introducing it to the sheep. Each visit can be progressively longer than the next, but never allow the dog to chase the sheep. Play with the dog near the sheep pen, that way you divert his attention from them while they are nearby. This will take a lot of time, patience, and persistence.

Yes it can, buffered is best. But Tylenol is not recommended for sheep, as it can be toxic to their livers.

You should change it when it looks dirty and unkempt. You can also help by just picking it out every morning and day so it isn't such a big job when you have to strip it completely.

Most vaccinations are only needed to be done once a year, with the exception of boosters for lambs, which are given 6 weeks after the first shot. Check with your veterinarian to make sure.

Livestock guardian dogs work best in pairs, and will communicate from one to another as they strategically oppose intruders.

You should change it whenever it needs to be changed, for example: after it rains or after the sheep has soiled the bedding.

You deal with animal stress by making sure they are comfortable. A fan usually helps. If that does not help, then get your animal a friend. You should probably see a vet after that to make sure it is not sick.

If you have a shearer it won't cost anything. A decent shearer can be had for about $200 or $300.

Get it somewhere warm so it will stop shivering, such as in a barn or under a blanket with the mother there.

It is best to clean out the pen and put a good amount of straw on the floor. It will help keep the hooves clean.

You should separate it carefully from the other sheep and let it calm down. Sometimes they are anxious around other sheep and let it do something fun.

No, it is not advisable as lime raises the Ph of the floor making it better for fly production. Dairy farmers only use finely ground lime on the alleys to help prevent cows from slipping.

I would recommend that you gut the pen completely, put down some preventatives and re-bed the stall or enclosure with straw after the sheep have been treated.

You'll need foot clippers to make sure that their feet don't grow too long. Vaccines, medications, wormers ect. Also a shearing Machine and someone to shear them, buckets for water, feed buckets and trough, fences gates and hurdles (mini gates). The longer you have sheep, the more equipment you'll need.

Yes and no. After you get used to it, it'll be easy. But for the first year, there will be challenges while you get the hang of things.

Yes! They always need a companion. They live in herds. They always need company.

Yes, it does. They are flock animals, so it would be best to get at least 3-4 sheep.

Sheep that are just going in the pasture run around $50-$300, though high quality show lambs are anywhere from $300-$1500+.

Yes, it’s perfectly normal if it occasionally coughs. If it’s a consistent cough, then I would give them a shot of la-300.

It's not until the animal is given the second dose of vaccine that the immune system is capable of providing protection against the disease. In most cases, this protection lasts 12 months. An annual booster dose is required to ensure the animal remains protected for another 12 months.