Ask the Shepherd-Best Practices in Purchasing Sheep
A subscriber to my email list has written to say that they want to purchase sheep and wonder what questions they should be asking of the shepherd they are purchasing from. So, here are some basic guidelines for best practices when purchasing sheep from a breeder.
Sheep Management
Purchase sheep from a farm that manages their flock in a similar fashion to how you will manage your flock to make the transition an easy one. You need to consider how the sheep are managed for:
- Feed-Ask what the sheep are fed at different times of the year. By purchasing from someone with a similar feeding system, it assures that their sheep will transition easily into your own farm feeding system.
- Parasite Control-Ask the shepherd how they manage parasites on their farm. Do they routinely give medication to the entire flock? Do they only treat those sheep that need it? What methods do they use for detecting parasite problems? Again, by purchasing from someone with a similar parasite management system, you are reducing the stress that animal will experience when they come to your farm.
- Lambing-If you intend to keep a ram and to breed, you will want to know how they handle lambing. Are they a hands off shepherd at lambing season, or are they out in the barn every second of labor? If it is important to you that your ewes be able to lamb on their own, then you want to purchase breeding ewes from a shepherd with the same value. Ask what problems they have had during lambing. Has the ewe you are considering ever had mastitis, prolapse or pregnancy toxemia?
Sheep Conformation
Here are some body conformation rules to follow when purchasing sheep.
- Look at the back line. Stand beside the sheep and look along their spine. A healthy sheep will have a nice straight back. If there is a dip or a sway back, I would let this sheep pass by me. You also want to look at the length of the body. A short bodied ewe may have problems carrying twins.
- Look at the back legs. Stand behind the sheep and look at their back legs. They should have structurally sound legs that are straight, They should have a good stance with straight legs that do not bow in or out. Legs should be set directly under the hips.
- Look at the front legs. Now stand in front of the sheep and look at their front legs. Their front legs should be structurally sound. They should not bow in at the knees or bow out. Look to see that the hooves are facing forward and legs are under their shoulders.
- Look at their head. Yep, the head is important. You need to know what is characteristic of the breed that you are looking at. Do some homework before you go so that you know what this breed should look like. Be sure that the head is correct for the breed. If the breed is known for having a clean face, then there should not be wool growing around the eyes. If the breed is known for a slender face, then it should not have a large boxy head.
- Look at their hooves. Pick up each hoof and look at it. Does it look healthy? Is there puss or is there a bad odor from the hoof? Is the hoof wall intact or is it pulling away?
- Look at the horns! If this is a breed with horns, then look at them! Are they set on the head the way they should be? Are the horns growing properly or are they headed directly for areas of the head that will cause problems down the road?
- Look at overall health and behavior. Is the spine super prominent? or does it feel like it has good muscling? (A super thin sheep may have health problems.) Look at the mucous membranes around the eyes. If they are pale, there could be a parasite issue. Does the sheep look and act like all the other sheep in the flock? or is it lagging behind or isolating itself? Do the eyes look bright or dull? Is the sheep coughing? Are the eyes runny? You will also want to ask if they have ever had any of the following in their flock: hoof rot, OPP, Johne’s disease, or Orf? (These are some of the big problems that you do not want to bring to your farm if you can help it.)
- Look at the udder. If you are purchasing a ewe that has lambed, you can inspect her udder. It should be soft and pliable. There should not be any scabbing on the teats or udder.
Wool Quality
There is much that can be learned about a sheep just by looking at their wool! Here are some things to look for. Also, if one of your goals for your flock is wool production, then you want to purchase sheep with the wool qualities you are looking for. There can be great variation in wool quality within one flock.
- Does the wool look healthy in general?
- How does it feel? Is it soft and pliable or hard, crunchy and brittle?
- What color is it from the skin to the tip of the lock? If you see a drastic change in color in a summer fleece, it could mean that the animal has been stressed which may trigger you to ask more questions.
- Does the wool have the proper amount of luster for this particular breed?
- Does the wool have the proper amount of lanolin for this particular breed?
Benefits the Shepherd Provides
Lastly, I would consider what this shepherd is offering to you beyond just the sheep, especially if you are a first time flock owner. Here are some extra perks that are sometimes offered to sheep customers:
- Mentoring-Is this shepherd you are purchasing from willing to answer your questions along the way or is this a done deal once you drive away with the sheep? Is it important to you that you can ask questions?
- Future Breeding Stock– If you will be breeding your ewes, can this shepherd provide you with rams and other breeding stock in the future should you need them?
- Proximity-Is this shepherd close to where you live so that you can pick up the sheep in person or will you have to ship the sheep? Is it important to you that you be able to pick it up yourself?
- Knowledge-Does this shepherd seem knowledgeable about the breed? Do they offer further insight into owning this breed?
- Health Certificate-If you are purchasing this sheep from out of state, it will need a health certificate. Is the breeder willing to facilitate getting a health certificate for you, or do you have to call the vet yourself to go do the health check?
Want some support as you work your way through this exciting journey of shepherding?
Kim offer consultations to small farms raising sheep. Click here for more information.
