![]() ![]() ![]() Goats like to eat at chin level and will strip shrubs and trees of leaves and twigs before they’ll turn to grass, which they will do, but not with the consistency of sheep. If your pasture is healthy, your sheep will be happy. They’ll do a great job but will not eat the grass where they defecate. In fact, before the lawn mower was created, sheep and the scythe were the main tools for keeping lawns and yards tidy. Goats like to be kept dry and they’ll need a place to get out of the elements. Sheep can put up with more weather than goats. You don’t want to put a strain on both your resources and your livestock.Īdditional considerations are available shade and protection from wind. If your space is limited, it will be a smart decision to raise fewer animals, either sheep or goats, rather than more. Because goats are browsers, not grazers, it will be important that the land you have will supply them with the sort of forage they like to eat-see below. Goats are similar to sheep in that you can support about six to eight goats on an acre of land. If you want to keep more than an acre can sustain, you’ll have to look into purchasing additional land as you’ll likely need to rotate your flock to keep them fed. You can reasonably expect to keep six to ten sheep on an acre of grass and as much as 100 sheep on 30 acres of pasture. How much land you have at your disposal will be a determining factor for the size of your flock or herd. ![]() Also, goat and lamb are often consumed during religious holidays.ĭoing outreach to local markets and both ethnic and religious communities will be a smart move and likely clarify which animal will be most profitable for you. For instance, many ethnic communities consume goat and lamb. You’ll have to do your research and think creatively about marketing your product. However, there are niche markets for both lamb and goat meat, not to mention milk and cheese from each animal. While goat meat is consumed at an enormous rate worldwide, it doesn’t match beef, chicken, or pork in the U.S. Liking your animals will go a long way toward motivating you every day to get out and do what needs doing.Īre you interested in milk and cheese? Fiber? Is your plan to raise goats for breeding stock? For show? It will be important to understand the markets for the products you want to produce. Farming, being the 24/7, 365 day-a-year job that it is, is hard enough. Of course, a basic consideration is which animal you want to work with. Before making a purchase, having clear goals and a realistic understanding of your available resources will be useful when determining which species is right for you. It’s true that raising sheep and goats is comparatively less complex than some other livestock options, but goats and sheep still each present the backyard farmer with their own, unique challenges. Often depicted as cute and gentle, many folks have an affection for these animals. Goats and sheep are two popular backyard livestock options available for your small farm. What to Consider before Making A Purchase ![]()
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