If you are new to owning sheep, this guide will help you to navigate the basic requirements sheep need to be healthy and happy. It will also offer practical advice and information regarding sheep management and legalities.
Basic Needs of Sheep
Property Identification Code (PIC) – Before you purchase any livestock you will need to acquire a PIC number. It’s a crucial part of The National Livestock Identification system (NLIS). Contacting the Department of primary industries (DPI) in your state will help you acquire a PIC number. It is a legal requirement that breeders and buyers provide a PIC number upon sale so animals can be movement traced. A seller is also required to provide a waybill and a health declaration to buyer with all correct information filled out on paperwork.
Fencing – Sheep need good strong secured fencing to keep them contained and to keep predators out. Suggested fencing would be a ringlock mesh with strainer strands top, bottom and middle, clipped onto mesh for extra security and strength. Some breeders have successfully contained sheep behind seven strand barb wire fences, and some have had success with electric. This all depends on how much respect the sheep have for fences.
Water – Sheep must always have clean water. Clean water is vital to good health and production.
Adequate Property Size – Sheep are grazing animals and require good sized paddocks to graze and exercise. Rotational grazing involves sheep moving between paddocks regularly to manage pasture health and allows pasture recovery. Rotational grazing can also be beneficial for parasite control.
Herd Animals – Sheep are herd animals and need buddies. Sheep naturally live and travel together in groups called flocks or herds, primarily for protection from predators. This strong flocking behaviour is a key part of their behaviour. Sheep are also highly social animals, forming strong bonds within the herd.
Shelter – Shelter is essential to protect sheep from the sun, cold, wind and rain particularly for newborn lambs and sheep that have been sheared. Shelter can be provided through trees, windbreaks and purpose-built sheds that the sheep can freely access. Purpose-built shelters should be cleaned out weekly to reduce parasite infestations within your flock.
Worming – Sheep require yearly worming depending on rain events. Typical signs of worm infestation are swelling under the jaw, lethargy or weakness. Decrease in appetite and sitting alone. Checking sheep gums and eye colour regularly can help prevent worm infestation in your flock. Eyes and gums should be a nice pink colour. If eyes and gums present a white colour, drenching is required immediately.
Vaccinations – Vaccines are an important part of a herd or flock health plan. Vaccines can help prevent common diseases. Vaccinations are essential to the health and survival of lambs from early life. First dose is normally given at lamb marking and second dose at 4-6 weeks later, then annually after that to maintain adequate immunity and health within the flock.
Mineral Blocks – Minerals are essential to the health and wellbeing of sheep. Mineral blocks play a vital role in optimizing and maintaining sheep health and keeping them in peak condition especially in dry and drought prone areas. Sheep should have access to a mineral block all year round. It provides nutrients to sheep when pastures are in poor condition.
Wool Breeds – Sheep that grow fleece must be sheared at least once per year. Shearing helps maintain the animal’s health and prevents wool from becoming matted or harbouring parasites. If your thinking of buying a wool breed its recommended to check if a shearer services, your area prior to purchasing sheep.
Drought – Drought and dry conditions is an inevitable fact of our environments cycle. Preparing for drought is an essential part of livestock ownership. Sourcing a local hay supplier is vital for dry times. Sheep need to be substitute fed in drought and its important to monitor sheep health and pasture conditions during drought.
Lambing Season – Lambing is not only the birth of lambs but also the subsequent care and management of both lamb and ewe. Lambs are cute and carefree but sometimes can get themselves into unfortunate situations so be mindful of dangers to lambs like low water buckets, slippery containers and fencing that lambs could get through and potentially not be able to get back to a ewe to feed. Some ewes will happily lamb perfectly in the paddock and some ewes like to be hidden either in a shelter or away from the rest of the sheep. Being prepared for all aspects of lambing and having a lamb plan is vital for the survival of both lamb and ewe.
Predation – Unfortunately this is a fact of livestock ownership. Predation on sheep can occur from various animals with foxes and dogs being the main frequent culprits. Other predators include crows, goannas, dingoes, domestic dogs, feral pigs, birds of prey and sometimes feral cats. Predator control can involve various methods such as trapping, shooting and good predator resistant fencing. Some sheep owners use livestock guardian dogs to deter predators, but this also needs a well thought out plan and preparation as livestock guardian dogs are not like normal pets and need a good amount of supervision for the first couple of years and consistent training.
Transport – For small numbers of sheep, a trailer or Ute with a stock crate is adequate. The front of the trailer should be protected from wind and bedding should be provided on the floor, so sheep don’t fall. Allow enough room for sheep to lay down comfortably. Depending on how many sheep your transporting, it’s a good idea to separate young lambs from adult sheep so they don’t get crushed or hurt. For longer trips, take adequate water so on stops they can have a refreshing drink. If sheep and lambs are going with a transport company, always research the transport company’s credentials. Make contact with the driver and ask for their bio-security plan management schedule.
Bio-Security – Once your new sheep are home its tempting to put them in the paddock with other sheep or other livestock. DON’T. You’re not only risking your own biosecurity but you’re risking the health of your other animals. Biosecurity involves protecting sheep from other hazards that could negatively impact their health, productivity and overall farm health. Quarantine new arrivals. Look for any signs of illness and treat accordingly. Existing risks could include foot health, parasite control, vaccinations and weed seeds caught in wool or hair that could be harmful if allowed to germinate and grow on your farm. It’s also a good idea to inspect hooves and trim if necessary and give a foot-rot treatment as a precautionary measure. Cleaning pens daily and hand washing is a vital part of biosecurity management practises. After a period of about a month is a reasonable time for any disease to incubate and show themselves. If all new sheep are showing no signs of illness, then they should be okay to join the herd.
A quick video showing a simple way to measure a ram for registration requirements if they are coming from a different registry.
We’ve made an unedited video with a height stick and a level across his shoulders, while he stands on a metal grid.
Height requirement is 61cm is preferred, not above 61cm at one year old (breed disqualification).
Not above 62cm in older sheep (breed disqualification).
