SHEEP IN THE BACKYARD?! Here's how to do it

Yes, it's possible. I've done it!

Considerations for raising sheep in your backyard:
You'll need to keep at least two together because sheep are social animals, they can even die of depression if you only keep one.

Check the zoning for your property. Most cities should have this information available online.

Sheep can be very LOUD so make sure you research your breed A LOT before buying them. We have Dorper sheep and they have so many benefits but if we had a smaller property this breed of sheep would be out of the question because they are so loud. Katahdin may be a better way to go but of course do your research before buying.

You'll probably need to supplement their feed with hay because typical lawn grass doesn't pack as much nutrition.

Don't breed sheep, you'd be better off buying weaned sheep and then finishing them off in your backyard before they head to freezer camp.

I’d say it’s not possible to raise sheep on anything less than ¼ acre, ½ acre is more realistic.

If you keep adult sheep you'll need to shovel poop. Smaller sheep have poop closer to rabbit poop and it just falls into your grass giving you the BEST lawn you've ever seen.

What I would do:

If I had between ¼ and ½ acre, I would get 2-3 Katahdins after they are weaned and raise them to processing weight (usually 6-9 months of age).

I would have one permanent fencing area that it is at least 100-200 square feet, then work with electric fencing to move them to other parts of the backyard, supplementing with hay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

We practice REGENERATIVE agriculture on a small scale.

better soil | better plants | better animals

--------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE HIGH MOUNTAIN HOMESTEAD

Hi! I’m PJ, and my family loves the homesteading life! It’s something my wife and I have always wanted to do, but we grew up with ZERO HOMESTEADING EXPERIENCE!!!!!

We grew up in beautiful southern California, 15 minutes away from the beach. As amazing as that was, we both dreamed of a life closer to land and animals. After getting married and moving to Utah, our family slowly grew. We had become a family of four living in a townhome with a small backyard filled with potted plants.

In 2019 we dipped out feet into homesteading on 1 ¼ acre lot in Utah. In 18 months we were ready to do this for real. So in 2021 we packed everything up (including our sheep) and moved to North Carolina to 12 acres and we love every inch of our homestead!

We raise Dorper sheep and have big plans for:
• grass-fed lamb
• fullblood Dorper breeding stock
• meat chickens
• laying chickens and ducks
• heritage breed pork
• honey
• row crops
• perennial food forest
• and more

I hope you join us on our journey, subscribe and ring the bell if you haven’t yet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. But don't worry, it doesn't cost you anything extra!

#backyardsheep #raisingsheep #grassfedlamb

[ForrestSmith]

So glad that I found your channel. I am moving to a .75 acre lot and plan on getting two sheep in the spring. I can't wait to watch your videos.

[ahopefulhollar]

Thank you for this! Very informative! We just made an off on a few acres here in Texas and I’m considering three Shetland as I’m a knitter and spinner. Thank you SO much. Very encouraging!

[Jmas]

“You’re doing sheep in your backyard you already know you’re doing things a bit different.”

[crunchycountrycatholic]

Thanks for making this video. We are on an acre and are currently breeding two goat does for dairy production in the late spring. We are heavily considering bringing on two feeder lambs in the spring as well and this really helps!

[jeannemoore]

We have pasture land for a few sheep (4 ewes, 2 rams, 6 butcher lambs), but we are considering fencing a portion of our yard for our sheep because we don't need that lawn, and we don't want to mow it! We use field fencing and some 4 x 4 sheep and goat fence. The 4 x 4 is more expensive, but it stays looking nice and is more durable. Our sheep are easy on the fencing. So glad to find your channel.

[TheMidnightHag]

We are on about 3/4 acre and are getting two babydoll Southdown to manage the yard. It was recommended over goats by the folks in the goat group because they’re gentle on the lawn and won’t eat EVERYTHING but will still help with weeds. We were told their manure is good for grass, that they’re used in vineyards and golf courses for this. We will supplement their feed if necessary but I think neighbors won’t mind grazing in their large lot because they’re cute. Ours will be pets also, hoping to train to love people and go for walks.

[ShepherdsCreek]

We have a quarter section and most of it has cattle on it through the summer. Our lawnmower broke so we bought some Jacob sheep. They will arrive here this weekend and we have a couple small pastures ready for them. During the day, while we are home, we plan to tether them close to the house to graze down the grass immediately close the house just until our lawnmower gets fixed lmao

[adaptivegolf]

I live in the border of 100 acres crp land and the deer still come into my yard to eat my lawn grass! Getting a couple sheep this year to pull double duty! Usually have to mow twice a week hoping I can just rotate around!

[louisgagnejr]

Very helpful. I have a 4 acre homestead with a 1 1/4 acre pasture and a separate 1/2 acre pasture. I am leaning more towards heritage sheep rather than a few calves. Trying to do my research now before I make the decision to buy livestock. Thank you for the info!

[malibuasmr]

Doing a new build in a farm field so we are starting from scratch with a “yard”. So glad to find your channel and very interested in any content about developing/cultivating pasture for sheep.

[optiksnipegaming]

Planning on getting sheep in the yard.cant wait

[experimenthealthyketo]

I definitely want to do it. Researching “silent” sheep now and costs as well.

[mycrazyfamilyid]

Awesome! I'm moving onto an acre at the end of the month and hope to get a couple sheep for wool (typing this with one hand while I hold my current knitting project in the other 😁).

[Glynchbrook]

I’m thinking about this myself so thanks for the information.

[Genie]

I definitely want to raise sheep at least for freezer camp. I love the idea of no wool.. ive considered goats for that reason but I didn't know there were hair sheep. So that solves that problem. We live on 3/4 acre... looking to possibly put 3 sheep in our back yard. Most research needed!

[abbyu]

Enjoying going through your videos on raising Dorpers.

[montanawhite]

In Hawaii people have sheep in small areas. Hard to find videos with that. Most videos show huge scale hundreds of acres farms.

[suchandradasi]

I have goats, cows and sheep on less than an acre. My cows are drylot, my goats have a house and their own yard, and I am just in the planning stage of figuring something out for my sheep.(they are still lambs) My animals are for milk and wool.

[jenssuburbanhomestead]

Very nice that you tackled this issue! I want to grow out a couple lambs so bad on my 1 acre.

[Lizardldy]

I've got 2 acres but 1/3acre is dense woods. I'd love to get a couple ewes and a couple dairy goats. Thanks for the info!