Marie Lane

I just brought home a momma daughter pair of Icelandics - they are beautiful! In all of their grass burr filled wooliness, they are gorgeous animals. My 2 LGD's who haven't been around livestock (other than chickens) for some time, were a bit surprised when they came flying off the tailgate of my truck, but all are calm and getting acquainted now. I've penned the girls up in with the chickens (Premier 1 poultry netting) so they don't get too much green grass at first - they came from a mostly dry hay/grain diet at their foster home. Sadly, their ram fell prey (which is why they were offered up for adoption) yet they are believed to be expecting from another ram (Tunis).

I'm a total newbie to sheep - bought them primarily for educational purposes for children visitors and my amusement. LOL

Read they are not grain eaters, but love forage and grass - my kind of critter!

I'll figure out how to upload pics - but any info/tips are greatly appreciated.

Stocking density for 4 animals would seem to need to be pretty darn close, no? Are there formulas on line somewhere - you're correct, I don't have the 3k to take the classes. LOL

Jamie Duncan wrote: .One day a city-dweller stopped while I was out in the field and asked why I had cows outside in January......I asked him why all the other farmers have their cows inside in the middle of March and April. He just looked at me like deer in headlights......

I love it! Same thing happens in the Dallas, TX area for horses - first couple of cold days and everyone is up in arms. Those horses would MUCH rather be outside than in the barn - they fly out the barn door in the morning on cold crisp days. Katie bar the door!

This was a great video - I'm VERY new to livestock, other than a few pleasure horses who have run of about 8 acres - not managed at all. I'm adding 2 sheep, mostly for amusement, to an area I rotate the horses on and off of (not really very scheduled, just when the grass gets long or someone forgets to shut the gate...). I am wondering if anyone has seen the TED talk by Allen Savory about crowding for pasture restoration from desertification? Wondering how cramped you would need to make it for just 4 animals to do the job?