Thinking About Sheep?
Sheep have been used through out history across the planet. They tend to be a go to animal when a country is developing. No wonder, sheep can provide meat, milk, and wool. Some sheep are even used for hunting. There are some things to take into account before you go out to a breeder or auction barn (not suggested) and get you a sheep. What are your purposes for them? Do you want milk? Do you want meat? Or, perhaps, are you looking for quality wool?
First and foremost is to decide if wool will be in the equation. Many people look past this, but if you don't want wool from your livestock then it is best to invest in a hair sheep (sheep that do not produce wool unless in a cold climate). Hair sheep will shed any wool they happen to produce as the temperatures get higher and the wool is no longer needed. If you get a wool sheep, that will result in the need for the sheep to sheared every year. Now days, finding a sheep shearer close to home is difficult and it does come at a cost. Each shearers' prices will vary and often will vary on the amount of wool the animal has.
Sheep's wool has been used for many types of fabrics. It has been used to make yarn, clothing, carpets, etc. It is important to know that sheep's wool does come in three categories: fine, medium, and long. Wool comes in more categories for use, such as course or carpet (wool that won't break down under heavy use like fine wool would).
Second is to decide the main purpose. Every sheep will produce meat and milk, however, each breed varies in quality and quantity. If you are looking to milk your sheep then looking for dairy sheep would be the best route to take. Do your research and find which breed will suit you best. Sheep's milk is highly nutritous and contains load of butterfat. Butterfat is the solids in the milk that makes milk sweet and creamy. The higher the butterfat content, the better and more cheese you can get from the milk. Sheep and goats both have more butterfat than cow's milk, but sheep take the prize for highest butterfat content. Another thing to consider about sheep's milk is that it has the same amount of lactose as cow's milk. Lactose sensitive people will do better on goat's milk. Keep in mind that sheep will not yield as much milk as cows or some goats, but for some people the nutritiousness and cheese-making ability of sheep's milk will make up for lack of quantity.
Sheep's meat is consumed by most of the world's population. "Lamb" is considered a young sheep under one year of age. This meat is the most tender. "Mutton" is from a mature sheep at least two years of age. There are many breeds of sheep to consider if you choose to butcher sheep, for home or market.
First and foremost is to decide if wool will be in the equation. Many people look past this, but if you don't want wool from your livestock then it is best to invest in a hair sheep (sheep that do not produce wool unless in a cold climate). Hair sheep will shed any wool they happen to produce as the temperatures get higher and the wool is no longer needed. If you get a wool sheep, that will result in the need for the sheep to sheared every year. Now days, finding a sheep shearer close to home is difficult and it does come at a cost. Each shearers' prices will vary and often will vary on the amount of wool the animal has.
Sheep's wool has been used for many types of fabrics. It has been used to make yarn, clothing, carpets, etc. It is important to know that sheep's wool does come in three categories: fine, medium, and long. Wool comes in more categories for use, such as course or carpet (wool that won't break down under heavy use like fine wool would).
Second is to decide the main purpose. Every sheep will produce meat and milk, however, each breed varies in quality and quantity. If you are looking to milk your sheep then looking for dairy sheep would be the best route to take. Do your research and find which breed will suit you best. Sheep's milk is highly nutritous and contains load of butterfat. Butterfat is the solids in the milk that makes milk sweet and creamy. The higher the butterfat content, the better and more cheese you can get from the milk. Sheep and goats both have more butterfat than cow's milk, but sheep take the prize for highest butterfat content. Another thing to consider about sheep's milk is that it has the same amount of lactose as cow's milk. Lactose sensitive people will do better on goat's milk. Keep in mind that sheep will not yield as much milk as cows or some goats, but for some people the nutritiousness and cheese-making ability of sheep's milk will make up for lack of quantity.
Sheep's meat is consumed by most of the world's population. "Lamb" is considered a young sheep under one year of age. This meat is the most tender. "Mutton" is from a mature sheep at least two years of age. There are many breeds of sheep to consider if you choose to butcher sheep, for home or market.