Caring for Your Sheep
Weeping Willows Ranch and Livestock Rescue follows a protocol when caring for our sheep and other livestock, and we recommend you follow similar guidelines in your livestock program. Please see below for the guidelines that we recommend.
Nutrition & Grazing
Sheep are designed to make excellent use of forage. Whenever appropriate, sheep utilize pasture and natural forage as a primary part of their diet. During periods when pasture is insufficient, hay and other appropriate supplemental feeds should be provided to maintain proper nutrition and body condition.
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Monitoring animals is important, rather than assuming that every sheep has the same nutritional needs. Age, pregnancy, lactation, weather, pasture quality, health, and individual condition can all affect nutritional requirements. Good stewardship means paying attention and adjusting care when necessary.
Pasture Management
Healthy animals depend on healthy land, so livestock management and land stewardship go hand in hand. Rotational grazing can make better use of available pasture while allowing previously grazed areas time to recover. Moving animals thoughtfully can also help manage forage, reduce pressure on individual areas, and improve the overall health of the land.
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The goal is not to take everything the land can give, but rather to learn how to work with the land. Your pasture should support the animals today while remaining healthy enough to support animals in the future.
Safety & Protection
Livestock deserve to feel safe where they live. Predator protection, secure fencing, appropriate shelter, and attentive supervision are important parts of livestock management practices. Sheep can be particularly vulnerable to predators, weather extremes, and unsafe fencing or equipment.
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Continually evaluate your pastures and facilities for potential hazards and make changes when necessary. Safety also means having a plan for severe weather, illness, injury, escapes, and other situations that can arise when caring for animals.
Shelter & Weather
Sheep are hardy animals, but being hardy does not mean they should simply be left to endure anything nature brings. Sheep should have access to appropriate shelter, shade, water, and areas where they can get out of severe weather. During hot weather, shade and water are especially important. And of course, during cold, wet, or windy conditions, access to dry areas becomes just as important. Observe your animals and their behavior because they often tell you what they need.