Sheep management and sheep raising is not unlike raising other livestock in that there are various farming and ranching methods and combination's of methods to accomplish the goal.
However, sheep are unique in that their size, personality, and adaptability means they can work in various situations. So whether you are small scale or large scale, hobby farmer or habit farmer sheep can be raised to suit individual purposes. Your personal opinion about animal husbandry combined with your goal will affect how you approach sheep management.
Zero Confinement or Pasture
It could be said that this is true sheep ranching! Those passionate about a sustainable agricultural revolution and natural sheep management will be drawn in this direction.
Sheep are raised on pasture, even in winter climates and are rarely housed in corrals or buildings.
General Characteristics
Feed is provided by the land so the goal will be to keep animals on the land for as long as possible
The only time livestock come into corrals or buildings is for sorting, processing or treating
Feed intake is loosely controlled by rotational grazing plans and during the non-grazing season may or may not be more tightly controlled depending on the system. The animals are still fed out on pasture during the non-grazing season
Heavy focus on the land-livestock connection both to retain adequate forage and to maximize on livestock health
Birthing takes place on pasture during warmer months
Manure management and animal health issues are less of a consideration as animals are not confined
Associated Expenses May Include
Building or covered lean-to
Animal handling system - often portable
Pasture water system or wetland management
Tractor - very optional
Pasture fencing
Labour - considerably less than other management systems but still required to manage grazing plans and proper care of animals
Confinement
The confinement model of sheep management means just what it says, the animals are confined and fed and managed within a confined area. That area may be a corral or a building.
General Characteristics
The animals do not have regular access to pasture for feeding on green forages
There is no focus on land goals as land is not involved, hence there are no grazing plans
Food intake is often tightly managed and monitored
Feed stuffs are often concentrates with a lot of grain being fed as well
Birthing takes place in confinement
Manure management and animal health are two stifling considerations to take into account due to year round confinement
Associated Expenses May Include
Buildings or corrals
Animal handling system including numerous pens plus corral areas
Tractors (often more than one)
Bedding material
Feed mixers (optional)
Feed delivery systems
Feed storage bins
Trucks and manure spreaders or some system to take care of the waste
Watering system
Treatment costs due to housing animals in close quarters
High labour costs.
Semi Confinement
Semi confinement is perhaps the most common way of sheep raising and livestock husbandry today. It seems to be particularly common among mid to small scale farmers. Semi confinement refers to a system where the animals graze during the months when forage is available and otherwise live in a corral or barn.
General Characteristics
During the portion of the year when confined the animals will be treated much the same way as in the confinement systems
There will be some thought to pasture availability and grazing as animals forage for some months of the year
Feed intake is controlled to help the bottom line
It is common to feed concentrates or grains
Birthing often takes place in confinement for various reasons
Manure management and animal health are consuming considerations during the time the animals live close together
Associated Expenses May Include
The expenses in semi-confinement will reflect those of confinement:
Buildings or corrals
Animal handling system including numerous pens plus corrals
Tractor (can make do with one)
Bedding material
Feed mixers (very common yet optional)
Manure handling and spreading
Water system
Labour costs and higher treatment costs associated with the housing of animals in close quarters.
