Beginner's Guide to Caring for Sheep

Thinking About Bringing Home Your First Sheep?

Sheep can be wonderful additions to a small farm or homestead, but good preparation makes a tremendous difference.

Before bringing sheep home, you should have appropriate fencing, shelter, feed and water systems, a plan for routine health care, predator protection, and access to a veterinarian who works with livestock.

This guide covers some of the basics we believe new sheep owners should consider before bringing their first flock home.

This information is intended as a general educational resource based on our experience raising sheep. It is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Health, nutrition, vaccination, parasite-control, and treatment decisions should be discussed with a livestock veterinarian familiar with your animals and geographic area.

Before You Buy Sheep

Before choosing your sheep, ask yourself:

• Is livestock permitted on my property? If unsure, check zoning requirements with your city for your specific lot address. 

• Is my fencing appropriate for sheep?

• Do I have enough space for the number of animals I want?

• Do I have a source of appropriate hay and sheep-specific minerals?

• Is clean water available at all times?

• Do I have adequate shade and shelter?

• How will I protect the flock from predators?

• Where will I isolate a sick or newly acquired animal?

• Can I safely catch and handle my sheep when necessary?

• Is there a livestock veterinarian in my area?

• Who will care for the sheep when I travel?

• Am I prepared to keep at least two compatible sheep?

Do as much preparation as possible before the animals arrive.

Sheep Need Sheep

Sheep are flock animals and need appropriate sheep companionship.

We do not sell a single sheep to a home unless the buyer already keeps compatible sheep.

A person, horse, goat, dog, or other animal should not be expected to completely replace the companionship of another sheep.

If you are starting your first flock, plan on bringing home at least two compatible sheep.

Check Your Property & Local Regulations

Before purchasing sheep, verify that livestock is permitted on your property.

Depending on where you live, regulations may address:

• Whether sheep are permitted

• Number of animals allowed

• Property size

• Setbacks from neighboring homes

• Shelter requirements

• Manure management

• Noise

• Fencing

• Agricultural zoning

Do not assume that owning enough land automatically means livestock is permitted.

Also consider your neighbors. Sheep can become quite vocal, particularly when they learn that seeing people means food may be coming.

Fencing Comes First

Good fencing should be in place before your sheep arrive.

Sheep are vulnerable to predators, and fencing serves two purposes: keeping your sheep where they belong and helping keep unwanted animals out.

There are several fencing systems that can work for sheep, including appropriately designed woven wire, high-tensile systems, electric fencing, and combinations of permanent and electric fencing.

The best choice depends on your property, terrain, predator pressure, breed, and management system.

Regularly inspect fencing for:

• Loose or broken wire

• Gaps under fences and gates

• Damaged posts

• Areas of erosion

• Fallen branches or trees

• Vegetation interfering with electric fencing

• Places where an animal could become trapped

• Gates that do not latch securely

Remember that fencing that successfully contains sheep is not necessarily predator-resistant fencing.

Shelter, Shade & Weather Protection

Sheep need access to a dry, safe area where they can get out of severe weather and find appropriate shade.

In Southern California, heat and sun exposure can be particularly important considerations.

Shelter does not necessarily need to be elaborate, but it should be:

• Dry

• Well ventilated

• Free of dangerous protrusions

• Large enough for the flock

• Protected from prevailing weather

• Easy to clean

• Accessible to you in an emergency

Plan for how you would safely confine an injured or sick sheep or a ewe that requires additional observation.

Fresh Water

Sheep should always have access to fresh, clean water.

Water needs change with:

• Weather

• Animal size

• Pregnancy

• Lactation

• Diet

• Activity

• Health

Check water sources daily.

Containers should be positioned and maintained so that sheep cannot easily contaminate them with manure, bedding, or feed.

What Should Sheep Eat?

Forage should form the foundation of most sheep diets.

Depending on your property and season, that may include pasture, hay, or a combination of both.

At McCarthy Ranchette, our feeding program changes throughout the year based on pasture availability, weather, and the needs of individual animals.

Nutritional requirements also change according to the sheep's:

• Age

• Growth

• Body condition

• Sex

• Pregnancy status

• Lactation

• Activity

• Health

There is no single feeding program that is appropriate for every sheep.

A livestock veterinarian, experienced sheep nutritionist, or agricultural extension professional can help you determine whether your forage and supplemental feeding program meets your flock's needs.

Hay & Pasture

Good-quality forage is one of the most important parts of a sheep feeding program.  We feed Teff hay primarily, with some Orchard. Alfalfa is reserved primarily as a treat or supplemental feeding program with expectant ewes. 

When pasture is available, grazing can provide both nutrition and natural activity. During dry periods or when pasture quality is inadequate, hay becomes increasingly important.

Here in Southern California, seasonal conditions can dramatically change pasture availability.

Learn to evaluate the quality of your pasture and hay rather than assuming that green grass or a bale labeled with a particular type of hay, automatically provides everything your sheep need.

Pasture management can also play an important role in parasite control. Avoid allowing sheep to repeatedly graze forage extremely close to the ground, and consider rotational grazing when your property has the space for it.

Grain & Concentrates

Not every sheep needs grain.

Grain or other concentrates may be appropriate in certain circumstances, such as for growing lambs or animals with increased nutritional demands, but they should be used thoughtfully.

Sudden access to large quantities of grain can cause serious digestive problems.

Store grain securely where sheep cannot gain unsupervised access to it.

Any feed changes should be made gradually.

If you are unsure whether your sheep need supplemental feed, ask your veterinarian or an experienced sheep nutrition professional rather than assuming more feed is better.

Sheep Specific Minerals

Use minerals specifically formulated for sheep.

Do not assume that a mineral or feed designed for goats, cattle, horses, or another livestock species is appropriate for sheep.

Sheep have different nutritional tolerances and requirements, including particular sensitivity to excessive dietary copper.

We provide an appropriate loose sheep mineral as part of our flock-management program: Purina Wind and Rain Sheep Minerals.

Your veterinarian, feed supplier, or local agricultural extension professional can help you select a mineral appropriate for your region and forage.

Learn About Toxic Plants

Before turning sheep onto a property, learn which plants grow there.

Some ornamental and native plants can be harmful or toxic to livestock.

Do not assume sheep instinctively know which plants are safe.

Inspect:

• Pastures

• Fence lines

• Landscaping

• Trees

• Garden areas

• Yard waste

• Neighboring vegetation accessible through fencing

Be especially careful with landscape trimmings. Never assume that branches or clippings are safe simply because another animal might eat them.

We have had amazing luck choking out weeds like Foxtails with pasture grass that is a cover crop with the annual Crimson Clover.  Information on sheep pasture from Cornell Small Farms. We ordered an annual seed (dies off in the summer) from our local feed store. Info on toxic plants: Toxic plants to livestock from UC Davis .

Hoof Care

Sheep hooves should be checked regularly.

How frequently trimming is necessary varies considerably depending on the individual sheep, breed, terrain, moisture, hoof growth, and management conditions.

Some sheep require more frequent trimming than others.

Rather than trimming automatically according to a rigid calendar, learn what a healthy hoof looks like and inspect your animals regularly.

Hoof problems are much easier to address when caught early.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/exotrim-hoof-trimmer?criteria=hoof+trim

A Southern California Concern: Foxtails

Foxtails and similar grass awns deserve particular attention in our region.

During foxtail season, routinely inspect your sheep for plant material that may become lodged around sensitive areas.

Pay particular attention to:

• Eyes and surrounding tissue

• Ears

• Mouth

• Feet

• Wool and skin

A foxtail that works its way into tissue can cause significant irritation, infection, or injury.

If an awn is embedded, difficult to remove, or the sheep shows swelling, discharge, pain, squinting, or other signs of injury, contact your veterinarian.

Babydoll Shearing

Olde English Southdown Babydolls are wool sheep and require regular shearing.

We generally shear our Babydolls once each year, with timing influenced by Southern California weather, pregnancy and lambing schedules, and the condition of the individual sheep.

If you are purchasing wool sheep, find a qualified shearer before you need one.

Do not wait until your sheep urgently need to be shorn to begin looking for someone.

Ask whether the shearer:

• Works in your area

• Has experience with small flocks

• Has experience with Babydolls or similar small sheep

• Has a minimum number of animals or farm-call charge

• Requires sheep to be dry before the appointment

Here are a couple sheep shearers that generally see Southern California: 

Fred Flory

Mick Hoffman Shearing

Jaime Rios

Kelsey

Jonathon Cisneros

Click here for the California Wool Growers Shearer Directory for more contacts. 

Katahdins & Shedding

Katahdins are hair sheep and normally shed their winter coats rather than requiring routine annual shearing.

Shedding quality can vary among individual animals.

Even though Katahdins generally do not require shearing, they still require routine observation, hoof care, parasite management, appropriate nutrition, vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian, and other normal flock care.

Vaccinations & Routine Health Care

Establish a relationship with a livestock veterinarian before you have an emergency.

Vaccination recommendations depend on the animal, age, reproductive status, disease risk, previous vaccination history, and geographic area.

CD/T vaccination is commonly incorporated into sheep health programs, but your veterinarian should help you establish an appropriate protocol for your flock.

Pregnant ewes, lambs, breeding animals, and newly acquired sheep may have different needs.

Keep written records for each animal, including:

• Identification

• Birth date

• Vaccinations

• Illnesses and treatments

• Parasite testing and treatment

• Hoof care

• Breeding

• Lambing

• Laboratory testing

• Medications and withdrawal periods when applicable

Good records become increasingly valuable as your flock grows.

Parasites & Deworming

Internal parasites are one of the most important health-management issues for sheep owners.

We do not recommend automatically deworming every sheep on a fixed calendar.

Unnecessary deworming contributes to drug-resistant parasites and can eventually make commonly used treatments less effective.

Instead, learn to evaluate whether individual animals actually require treatment.

Depending on your veterinarian's recommendations and the parasites common in your area, monitoring may include:

• Fecal egg counts

• FAMACHA assessment when appropriate

• Body condition

• Weight and growth

• Coat condition

• Manure consistency

• Jaw or facial swelling

• Overall behavior and appetite

When treatment is needed, the appropriate medication and dose should be selected with veterinary guidance and based on the animal and parasite involved.

Do not guess at doses or repeatedly rotate dewormers without a reason.

A good parasite-management program also includes pasture management, nutrition, genetics, sanitation, and avoiding unnecessary treatment.

Biosecurity Matters

One of the most important lessons for a new sheep owner is that where your animals come from matters.

Before purchasing sheep, ask the breeder about flock health and biosecurity.

Questions may include:

• What diseases does the flock test for?

• How often is testing performed?

• Have there been known disease problems?

• Are new animals quarantined?

• Is fecal testing performed?

• What vaccination program is used?

• What parasite management practices are used?

• Can available laboratory results be provided?

• What is the health history of the individual animal?

Diseases of concern can vary by flock and geographic area and may include conditions such as OPP, Johne's disease, Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), and others.

Some livestock diseases can be difficult or impossible to eliminate once introduced.

Prevention and informed purchasing decisions are extremely important. 

Quarantine New Animals

Do not immediately introduce newly purchased sheep into your established flock simply because they appear healthy.

A quarantine period gives you an opportunity to observe new animals and discuss appropriate testing and parasite evaluation with your veterinarian before exposing your existing flock.

Ideally, quarantine facilities should prevent direct contact and reduce opportunities for disease transmission.

If you already own sheep, develop your quarantine procedure before purchasing additional animals.

Build a Sheep First-Aid Kit

It is useful to have basic supplies available before an emergency occurs.

The exact contents of your kit should be discussed with your veterinarian, but useful categories may include:

• Thermometer

• Disposable gloves

• Basic wound-care supplies

• Gauze and bandaging materials

• Appropriate disinfectant

• Clean syringes and needles for veterinarian-directed use

• Hoof-care equipment

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Towels

• Lubricant

• Recordkeeping supplies

• Your veterinarian's contact information

• Emergency transportation plan

Periodically check expiration dates and replace used or expired supplies.

A first-aid kit does not replace veterinary care.

Learn What “Normal” Looks Like

One of the most valuable skills you can develop is recognizing normal behavior in your own sheep.

Spend time observing your flock when everyone is healthy.

Learn how your sheep normally:

• Walk

• Eat

• Drink

• Chew cud

• Breathe

• Interact with flockmates

• Hold their ears and heads

• Produce manure

• Maintain body condition

Changes from normal can provide an early warning that something is wrong.

A sheep that separates from the flock, stops eating, becomes unusually quiet, appears weak, has abnormal breathing, shows signs of pain, or otherwise behaves differently deserves attention.

When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

Handling Your Sheep

Even friendly sheep may be difficult to catch when they realize you intend to perform a procedure.

Design your facilities so animals can be calmly moved into a smaller area when necessary.

A small catch pen, gates, panels, or handling system can make routine care considerably safer and less stressful than chasing sheep around a large pasture.

We also use appropriate sheep-handling tools when necessary.

The goal should always be calm, efficient handling with as little stress as possible.

Predator Protection

Yes, you need to think about predators.

Predator pressure varies by location.

In our area, potential threats include:

• Coyotes

• Domestic or stray dogs

• Bobcats

• Mountain lions

• Birds of prey, particularly around small lambs

Other parts of the country may have additional predators.

Do not rely on a single protection method.

Depending on your property, a predator-management plan may incorporate:

• Strong perimeter fencing

• Electric fencing

• Secure nighttime areas

• Livestock guardian animals

• Lighting or other deterrents

• Removing predator attractants

• Regular fence inspection

• Appropriate lambing areas

For us, our Great Pyrenees are a central part of our livestock-protection program.

Find a Livestock Veterinarian Before You Need One

Do not wait for an emergency to discover that your regular small-animal veterinarian does not treat sheep.

Before purchasing livestock, identify veterinarians in your area who are willing to see sheep.

Ask about:

• Routine flock care

• Emergency availability

• Farm calls

• Laboratory testing

• Reproductive care

• Parasite management

• Vaccination recommendations

• After-hours procedures

• Referral options

If you have difficulty finding a sheep veterinarian, local livestock producers, agricultural extension offices, feed stores, sheep organizations, and large-animal veterinary practices may be able to provide leads.

San Diego Livestock Veterinarians: 

East County Large Animal - Dr. Blanche, El Cajon, CA.

Catching sheep to do any kind of procedures can be tricky with some lambs and adults, so we use this Shepherd's crook or this net.

Where to Buy Sheep Supplies

We purchase supplies from a combination of local feed stores and livestock suppliers.

Local feed stores can be particularly valuable because they may carry products appropriate for your area and can often special-order items.

Online livestock suppliers can also be useful for fencing, feeders, handling equipment, hoof-care tools, and other specialized products.

Suppliers we have used include:

https://www.premier1supplies.com

https://www.valleyvet.com

Product availability changes, so we recommend choosing equipment based on your particular flock and setup rather than assuming every product we use will be appropriate for every property.

Resources for New Sheep Owners

There is always more to learn about sheep.

We encourage new owners to use multiple reliable sources and develop relationships with experienced sheep producers, veterinarians, and agricultural professionals.

Useful topics to study include:

• Sheep behavior and handling

• Nutrition

• Pasture management

• Fencing

• Parasite management

• Hoof care

• Vaccinations

• Biosecurity

• Lambing

• Reproduction

• Toxic plants

• Predator management

• Emergency care

This book is extremely useful, and contains a lot of very helpful information around fencing, feeding, disease prevention, maintenance and more: Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep

University of California Ag and Natural Resources has written a guide to breeding and more complex care of small flocks- PDF is here.  

If you enjoy more in depth reading, you can dig into articles in the Merck Veterinary Manual and reach out to your vet with questions. 

For breed-specific information, visit our:

OLDE ENGLISH SOUTHDOWN BABYDOLL SHEEP

KATAHDIN HAIR SHEEP

Preparing for Your First Sheep

Before bringing your sheep home, make sure you have:

• Secure fencing

• Appropriate shelter and shade

• Clean water

• Appropriate hay or pasture

• Sheep-specific minerals

• Feeders and water containers

• A safe way to catch and handle the animals

• Basic hoof-care equipment

• A first-aid kit

• A livestock veterinarian

• A parasite-management plan

• A predator-protection plan

• A quarantine area if you already keep livestock

• Transportation arrangements

• At least one compatible sheep companion

Getting these things in place beforehand will make the transition easier for both you and your new flock.

Questions Are Welcome

We want our lamb buyers to feel prepared before bringing their sheep home.

We are happy to share what has worked for us, answer questions about the animals we raise, and point buyers toward additional resources when appropriate.

At the same time, sheep husbandry is not one-size-fits-all. Climate, forage, soil, parasites, predators, veterinary availability, and individual animals all affect management decisions.

Continue learning, establish a good relationship with a livestock veterinarian, observe your animals every day, and never be afraid to ask questions.

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