Getting Started with Sheep

I recently published a YouTube video and a more detailed companion e-book titled 6 Things You Need to Get Started with Sheep

The genesis of this came from Justin Rhodes.  He asked if I could help him get ready for the lambs he is brining onto his homestead this spring.  I made a list of materials with links and send it to him.  After doing all the research and compiling the list, I thought I should share it with everyone.  

Here is a link to get access to the FREE e-book: E-Book Link

Here is the YouTube video:



Let me know what you think.  I've never made an e-book before so I'm curious about the feedback.  My hope is that it is a really good resource for people who are looking at getting started with sheep on a homestead scale.

One piece of information I really want is taming skittish sheep.

My ewes do NOT permit any human touch if they have the chance to avoid it. Sheering requires a careful capture via lasso around the horns.

Great suggestion for future content Kyrt!  What has worked for me with some of my sheep has been spending a lot of time with them in a small corral and feeding them treats (organic alfalfa pellets or organic field peas).  Food helps build trust.  

Thanks Dan !

Sheep are great and you do a great job promoting them in an easily understandable way. I also like the simple solutions , yet not overlooking the important points in good husbandry.
This video will inspire many which is good because the world can use more sheep !!

Keep up the good work and have a great season !

Thank you for that feedback Mark!

My pleasure !

Nice to see such happy sheep and shepherds !

Really helpful video - we are just prepping to get our first sheep as "lawnmowers" to keep our horse paddock under controil and hopefully some of the pesky perennial weeds like docks

Nick Truscott wrote:Really helpful video - we are just prepping to get our first sheep as "lawnmowers" to keep our horse paddock under controil and hopefully some of the pesky perennial weeds like docks

That's great Nick! I'm glad the video was helpful.  Thank you for the feedback.

Thanks for sharing Dan, rewatching as I'm getting a handful of kathdins this spring, what would you say was the most difficult part your first year?

P.s. great job on the rocket oven DVD, best Wheaton video so far imho

Also something I've been meaning to ask, do you think 2 strand polywire is sufficient on pasture after training or is betting required?

I know Justin had a lot of issues, and his initial foray into sheep was fairly disastrous (I think 4 of his 5 lambs died within a couple weeks or so).  Can you comment on what his issues were, and how best to avoid/mitigate/treat those issues?  

I'm wanting to get sheep as soon as I can get everything set up, and with a full time job, lots of kids, and already dealing with poultry that might be a while, but I do see sheep (or possibly goats, or a combination) as being an important part of my plans for the home.

Plus, lamb is delicious.