Questions about Cheviot sheep

[crmemory]

We have recently found out we will (unexpectedly) likely be acquiring some young Cheviot sheep. It is a long, unusual story and in the interest of brevity, I would prefer not to get into explanations if I can help it. However, I have been doing as much research as fast as I can.

So here is a summary of what will be happening about 2 weeks from now: We will be getting probably 5 Cheviot ewe lambs. I am not sure of their exact age at this point, other than that they are young and open. We will be housing them on just over an acre of lush pasture and clover with some weeds, and they will have free access to a barn shelter. Which leads me to a few questions I am having trouble finding answers to:

1. Would a diet of pasture, trace mineral salt, and d.e. be sufficient? I would rather avoid grain outside of the occasional treat if I can help it.

2. Due to circumstances in this situation, we will not be breeding these ewes until they are around 4-5 years old. I have read that this is the prime productive age, but can not find any info regarding breeding/lambing at that age for the FIRST time. Can anyone offer input on this?

3. We have the advantage of having a nearly "sterile" and organic farm at this point. Other than a couple of horses several years ago, it has had no livestock on it in MANY (40?) years. It is a wonderful place to start our farm, and we want to do everything possible to keep it as disease free as possible as we add animals. I have read that sheep are susceptible to C.L, Johnes disease, and scabies, which we are planning to test these for before accepting them. Are there any other diseases I should be aware of? Since these lambs (and their parents) were all raised on this farm from birth, with no known history of disease, should we test each lamb, or can we get by with testing them randomly?

4. Can you recommend any really good resources for more information? This is quite sudden, and sheep are one livestock species I have no experience with (though I do have experience with goats).

Thanks in advance.

[Anon001]

You say that you don't know their ages but you plan to breedd them when they are around 4 to 5 years old????

I would go with the vacciations. *Also, scabies are not a disease but are a mite that can be on any animal.

I don't know a lot about sheep except what little I learned from the neighbors. *They must be able to get in where it is dry in the event of bad weather.

Also, they MUST be vaccinated with blackleg which is also the same as "overeating disease". *You ask about salt/trace mineral. *

If you give salt, give just salt and then add sheep mineral. *Two reasons. *First... the trace mineral is a marketing gimmick. *I have a number of years background in the feed industry (coops, etc). *A trace mineral salt block will be at least $1.00 to $2.00 higher than just a salt block. *But, only about 4% of the entire block is trace minerals. *That means that 96% is still salt. *Also, the trace mineral is just that. *It is the minor minerals that not important. *The minerals that are important are not found in a trace mineral salt block. *Second... you need to supplement with SHEEP mineral because it is void of copper. *Sheep must not be fed anything that contains copper. Goats yes, sheep no. *Copper builds up in the sheep and will kill them eventually.

Keeping the copper in mind... all cattle, goat, and horse feeds and mineral has copper. *So you have to avoid those feeds and those mineral supplements. *Anything other than just grain and soybean meal (or other protein additive) must be labeled for sheep.

Back to the "blackleg" vaccine. *You will be vaccinating agains the C. perfringens which is found in virtually ALL soils and to which sheep are very susceptible. *However, I have seen some sheepherders go without ever vaccinating and having no trouble. *But, I also saw a man that used to vaccinate. *But he would give the innoculation and not the booster (or is it the booster and not the innoculation), anyway, they were only getting one of the two shote required. *One year he lost 15 lambs before they could get it stopped.

There is an old saying along the lines that sheep are great until they decide to die. *They may be healthy one day and dead the next. *I don't know how true it is... lol

As far as good sources of information. *The best place is your extension agent. *They have all the information you could want. *YOu can also find information at the websites of ANY agricultural university's extension service, such as the Kansas State University, Texas A & M University, etc.... any of the agricultural universities. That is where the extenion service information usually comes from in the various states. The extension agents are usually located within the county courthouses or other county offices.

Good luck. *I am almost envious. *I woudl like to have sheep.
Paul

[crmemory]

I will know their exact age before we get them. *My understanding is they are probably around a year right now--possibly last years crop. *I will know for sure soon. *But since I only have about 2 weeks to organize everything, get the fencing installed, etc, I am just figuring out what I can with the info I have. I won'be able to breed them until I live there. Someone else is living on the farm now and will be caring for them in the mean time...sounds strange, I know. Long story.

[Anon001]

So, I would still breed them if you can get it done. I can't see keeping animals for 3 or 4 years, putting money out on them if they aren't paying their way... but that's just me.

Good luck to you.... Hope it works out for you.

[crmemory]

We got our cheviots today! I am so excited! We got a spring ewe lamb, and 4 ewes between 1 and 3 years old. Our first priority is to get them sheared. The previous owner hasn't had them done in over 3 years! The vet said she had never seen so much wool on one animal. DH said he can't get them out of the shady barn. All they want to do is lay around in the shade of the stall--despite the lush clover everywhere. Oh well, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

While we are forced by circumstance to hire it done this year, I am looking to purchase a good set of shearers for future years. I definitely want electric--totally do NOT trust myself with manuals! We are considering Lister, but would love opinions. Mind you, they would be for a very small herd--probably never more than 10 or so, so I don't want too costly, and multi-purpose would be great. Lister offers a version that you can simply switch from horse/cow blade to sheep shearing blade. Sounds great, but makes me nervous since the jobs are so very different! I need recommendations.

[jonvee]

congrats on your new additions.

I do hate to hear that people haven't managed their flock but, it sounds like they're in good hands now.

Having that much wool can hide quite a few skin problems. I would suggest having some antibiotic ointment and blood stopper on hand just in case. Sheep with that much wool can be hard to shear even for an experienced shearer so don't be surprised if they get cut a bit.

I wouldn't worry about them staying in the barn. They'll come out eventually.

As for the shears, we use Preimier 1. They are similar to Listers. Lightweight, don't heat up, easy to switch blades. My DD loves them too and she does all her own shearing for her shows.

Unfortunately, unless you can find them used they ain't cheap. We were able to buy a demo set that the manufacturer took to livestock shows and they were still over $200. The blades run about $35 per set. That's for the comb and cutter. But, think of it as an investment. And think about how much you're paying to have someone else shear for you. In the long run buying your own will be worth it. It's probably the only pair you'll ever buy.

Sometimes you can find them on ebay or craigslist. Lister may have a service where you can send used ones in to be checked out or reconditioned.

We use Premier 1 Supplies, Sullivans Supplies and Mid-States Wool Growers Supply for some of our sheep supplies, medical and equipment.

Good luck.