How to Raise Sheep and Goats Together
Are you thinking of raising goats or sheep? Are you struggling to decide which animal you should raise? Have you ever considered raising both simultaneously? Did you know that was an option? In reality you can raise sheep and goats at the same time—though there are a few things you should be aware of first.
The most important thing you should know is that even though sheep and goats seem to have quite a few similarities, there are many important differences. For instance, both animals require different minerals. The most important difference is that while goats need the mineral copper, it is fatal for sheep. To avoid feeding problems, we recommend keeping sheep and goats separate for feedings. Similarly, both animals forage, though goats, which will normally eat anything, will browse for specific foods, sheep look for grass and clovers.
Another similarity is that both goats and sheep are sociable animals. This means that they can compete with each other for a spot in a herd. This can be dangerous since most goats have horns and sheep do not. This means that goats have a chance of injuring sheep seriously. In order to avoid this problem, you may want to consider removing your goats’ horns.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can care for your goats and sheep simultaneously, or about how to raise either of these animals individually, please feel free to contact us. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.