Sheep Farming – Page 12 – Granny's Homestead

Which Comes First?

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com Photo by Alexas Fotos on Pexels.com Since I raise sheep for meat, I am always watching the sale price of market lambs at the various sheep auctions in the area where I live. There are three sheep auctions I monitor weekly. After a little over a year of really…… Continue reading Which Comes First?

Delivery of Sheep

Tomorrow I will deliver a small starter flock to a friend of mine. What information do I give to someone buying sheep from me? First, I get the money. I do not unload or give paperwork until the money is received. The paperwork includes a bill of sale, the date of vaccination and last date…… Continue reading Delivery of Sheep

Selling Sheep

Sheep farmers sell their sheep or wool to have an income. I raise sheep for meat and breeding stock. There are two things I concentrate on when I am selling sheep regardless if it is for meat or breeding. Number One: I want my sheep to look good. No sheep farmer wants to purchase skinny…… Continue reading Selling Sheep

Rams or Wethers

I get asked if I castrate my ram lambs and raise wethers for feeder lambs. I do not castrate any ram lambs. I am not against castrating ram lambs. The market in my area want unaltered male lambs and kids to eat due to religious reasons. Wether lambs to not sell as high as ram…… Continue reading Rams or Wethers

Buying Feed

Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina on Pexels.com I have ewes birthing lambs, ewes being bred, and weaned lambs growing. What do they all have in common? The need to eat. Today was the day I go pick up the grain mix we feed our sheep. I am not an animal nutritionist. I trust a person who…… Continue reading Buying Feed

Selecting Replacement Ewes

First time ewe with newborn lamb The replacement ewes I kept are starting to lamb. I am very happy so far with their performance. How do I select a ewe lamb to become a replacement ewe for my flock? I look at the mother of the ewe lamb. I raise sheep for meat. The quicker…… Continue reading Selecting Replacement Ewes

Lambs Arriving

The yearling ewes due to lamb this spring have started delivering. Two days ago, I awoke to find a ewe with a ram lamb along side. Both doing well. Today, after spending some time at the sheep auction I came home to find a ewe in labor and under stress…..only one leg exposed to the…… Continue reading Lambs Arriving

Taxes are Done

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Each year I have to file our tax forms for the government. My husband works for a company, so his part of the forms are not hard. I am self-employed, my part of the forms requires a lot of record keeping on the farm vehicles, equipment and sheep. Being diligent…… Continue reading Taxes are Done

Spring is Arriving

Photo by Hiu1ebfu Hou00e0ng on Pexels.com Today, we let the young expecting ewes out to graze. The grass and legumes are growing, pastures are starting to turn green. I love spring when trees and pastures start putting forth their green color. The air is warmer, more humid. The birds are returning to our area. The…… Continue reading Spring is Arriving