Author Topic: Flerds-herd/flock  (Read 2700 times)

DallyCash

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Flerds-herd/flock
« on: May 05, 2017, 12:29:09 pm »
Does anyone run cattle and sheep together?
What kind of pasture fences does everyone use?
Thanks for advice!!!!
  • Jo

EmsoffLambs

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2017, 02:22:47 pm »
We have. Field fence with a couple strands of barbed wire on top works well for both. We have actually been running both with just five wire barbed wire for the past ten years or so and never had a sheep get through. But just ewes and rams. We raise the lambs in the barn. We ran four wires on an interior fence and it has been holding all but one small Dorper ewe that crawls under. The barbed wire also doesn't keep in our guardian dogs, which isn't an issue where we live, but would be if we lived on a paved road or had closer neighbors.

One tip, cattle need more copper than sheep can tolerate. We deal with this by keeping the cattle's salt block at the bottom of a 3 foot deeo trough so the sheep cannot reach it. Also, rams will sometimes fight with bulls so safest not to run them together.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2017, 02:27:03 pm by EmsoffLambs »
  • Crystal Emsoff
Breeder of quality club lambs in Northern California

DallyCash

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2017, 04:34:50 pm »
One tip, cattle need more copper than sheep can tolerate. We deal with this by keeping the cattle's salt block at the bottom of a 3 foot deeo trough so the sheep cannot reach it. Also, rams will sometimes fight with bulls so safest not to run them together.

thank you for thinking about that! we leave loose mineral out for the cows so that is something to think about. and the ram/bull thing will also be something to watch and look out for. Thank you for the reply!!!
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PeteM

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2017, 12:02:51 pm »
This is actually a good system to do. Mixed grazing is really good for your pasture. You will have better maintenance of the pasture weeds and such without using chemicals.
  • Pete Maples
Raising quality Hampshire and Shropshire clublambs.

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2017, 07:58:36 pm »
And fewer parasites. Since worms are species specific, cow worms don't infect sheep and vice versa. So the cows will end up eating some of the sheep worm eggs and sheep will eat the cow worm eggs and it stops their cycle. Of course doesn't eliminate the parasites but helps to reduce problems versus raising just one species.
  • Crystal Emsoff
Breeder of quality club lambs in Northern California

DallyCash

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2017, 06:18:03 am »
any breed you guys recommend? im trying to convince my hubs to go with hair sheep due to less maintenance but he says they are too ugly. haha.  ::) ::)
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EmsoffLambs

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Re: Flerds-herd/flock
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2017, 06:13:07 am »
Consider Dorpers. They perform well on grass, have good carcass traits and are pretty docile. They are a hair sheep but are not your typical scrawny hair sheep. They come in solid white or white with a black head, which is rather striking. They certainly aren't ugly.
  • Crystal Emsoff
Breeder of quality club lambs in Northern California