Serving Snohomish County • King County • Pierce County • Thurston County

Raising Sheep

6-10
per Acre

SIZE

80-200+ lbs

Depending on breed

FEED REQUIREMENTS

2-3%

Body Weight of Dry Feed/Day

Depending on age, condition, and feed quality

LIFESPAN

8 Years

Approximately

Getting Started Checklist

Raising a small flock of sheep can be rewarding, but it requires thorough planning to ensure the health and well-being of the animals and the success of your operation. Here’s a comprehensive list of things to plan for:

1. Research and Education

  • Learn about sheep breeds and their specific purposes (wool, meat, milk, or dual-purpose).
  • Understand sheep behavior, care, and lifecycle.
  • Connect with local sheep farmers or join a sheep farming association.

2. Choosing the Right Breed

  • Select a breed that suits your goals, climate, and land.
    • Examples:
      • Wool: Merino, Romney.
      • Meat: Dorper, Suffolk.
      • Milk: East Friesian.
      • No Shearing: Katahdin, Dorper, St. Croix

3. Fencing and Shelter

  • Fencing: Secure fencing to protect sheep from predators and prevent escape (e.g., woven wire or electric fencing).
  • Shelter: Provide a dry, well-ventilated shelter to protect against extreme weather.
    • Examples: A small barn, lean-to, or three-sided shelter.

4. Pasture and Grazing

  • Ensure sufficient grazing land (approximately 1–2 acres per 5 sheep, depending on forage quality).
  • Plan for rotational grazing to maintain healthy pastures and prevent overgrazing. This may not be doable on small acreage so you could stall periodically.
  • Improve pasture with suitable grasses and legumes if needed. Remove toxic or poisonous plants.

5. Feeding and Nutrition

  • Know the dietary requirements for sheep at different stages of life.
    • Primary diet: Forage (pasture, hay).
    • Supplemental feeds: Grain, minerals (e.g., salt licks, trace mineral blocks).
    • NOTE: Avoid Copper in feed: Sheep are particularly susceptible to copper poisoning.
  • Access to clean, fresh water at all times.

6. Breeding and Lambing

  • Decide if you will breed your flock or purchase weaned lambs.
  • Learn the basics of lambing and have a plan for assisting ewes if needed.
  • NOTE: Male sheep, or rams, can be aggressive to other sheep or people, especially during breeding season.

7. Health and Veterinary Care

  • Find a local veterinarian experienced with sheep.
  • Learn common health issues (e.g., parasites, foot rot, pneumonia).
  • Set up a vaccination and deworming schedule.
  • Stock up on basic medical supplies (e.g., syringes, antibiotics, hoof trimmers).

9. Predator Protection

  • Plan measures to deter predators (e.g., guard animals like dogs, llamas, or donkeys, predator-proof fencing).

10. Equipment

  • Acquire essential tools such as:
    • Shears for wool sheep.
    • Hoof trimmers.
    • Feeding equipment (e.g., hay racks, grain feeders).
    • Transport equipment for moving sheep if needed.

11. Financial Planning

  • Budget for initial setup costs (fencing, shelter, sheep purchase) and ongoing expenses (feed, vet care, equipment).
  • Consider income from sheep products (wool, meat, milk, breeding stock).

Common Expenses

Sheep ~$150-$300

48″x100′ Fence ~$200

Hay Bale ~$15-$20

Alfalfa Pellets ~$18

12. Legal and Zoning Requirements

13. Community and Support

  • Network with local farmers for advice and shared resources.
  • Attend workshops or conferences to improve your knowledge.

14. Vacation/Exit Plan

  • Have contacts that can care for your flock for extended time you are away.
  • Plan for the long-term care of the flock or a contingency plan if you need to downsize or stop raising sheep.

How to Buy Healthy Sheep

When buying a sheep, you don’t want to end up with a walking vet bill. Here’s how to spot a good one:

1. Buy from a Reputable Breeder

  • Many health issues can be avoided if you work with a responsible breeder with a well-maintained flock. It may cost a bit more up-front but can save you lots of money and hassle in the long run. See local sheep breeders

2. Eyes and Gums – Check for Anemia

  • Pull down the lower eyelid—if it’s pale instead of bright pink or red, the sheep may have a heavy parasite load (see FAMACHA scoring).
  • Gums should be a healthy pink, not white or bluish.

3. Body Condition – Don’t Be Fooled by Wool

  • Feel along the spine and ribs—a good sheep should have some flesh but not be overly fat or too bony.
  • A big fluffy sheep isn’t always healthy—use your hands, not your eyes.

4. Legs and Hooves – No Limping Allowed

  • Walk the sheep around—any stiffness or limping? Skip it.
  • Check the hooves for overgrowth, rot, or a bad smell—foot rot is a pain to deal with.

5. Teeth – Age and Health Check

  • Open the mouth and check teeth alignment (especially in older sheep).
  • If it’s missing teeth or has an overbite/underbite, it might struggle to eat properly.
  • Lambs should have small, even baby teeth; adults should have solid, well-aligned permanent teeth.

6. Fleece – No Bald Spots or Weird Scabs

  • A healthy sheep has a thick, even coat without bald patches or excessive matting.
  • Check for lice, mites, or fungal issues (ringworm shows up as crusty, bare areas).

7. Breathing – No Snotty Noses or Coughing

  • A sheep with runny eyes, a snotty nose, or persistent coughing could be sick.
  • Breathing should be steady and quiet—no wheezing or labored breathing.

8. Behavior – Avoid the Duds

  • A good sheep is alert and curious, not dull or sluggish.
  • If it stands off by itself, head down, or doesn’t move much, something’s wrong.
  • Too wild or panicky? It may be a nightmare to handle later.

9. Udder (for Breeding Ewes)

  • Feel for a soft, even udder—no lumps or hard spots.
  • If buying a ewe with lambs, make sure both sides of the udder are working.

10. Ram Check – The Boys Need to Be Functional

  • Testicles should be even-sized, firm, and free of lumps.
  • Rams should walk confidently—no stiffness or odd gaits.

11. Ask About Health History & Management

  • Has it been vaccinated and dewormed?
  • Any history of foot rot, parasites, or metabolic diseases?
  • If registered, ask for paperwork.
  • If they can’t (or won’t) answer these, proceed with caution.

Bottom line:

Purchase sheep that look strong, move well, have bright eyes, and don’t act half-dead.

Ready to get started?

Find Your Sheep!

Local Sheep Breeders