Selecting Our Sheep Breeding Stock

[@1wolfpup]

That was a wonderful explanation of a beginning herd and how to go through the process of choosing the right animals for what your needs are. Tess seems so very sweet and kind. What a blessing she has been to your homestead and now us. Thank you, for sharing that with us.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

You're welcome! :) Tess has been a blessing indeed. She has made this process so much better for everyone

[@shepherdewan]

+The Grass-fed Homestead those sheep are good girls cute sheep

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Tess keeps great records. What a great example of good animal husbandry skills. I feel like all of us watching should be taking notes! 😀 👍

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

She does keep great records. It's one of the things that I really liked when I first met her

[@FarmFreshIB]

Great video. It is always such a blessing to have someone that really knows the ropes around to hold your hand and get you started on the right track.

[@BobbleheadHomestead]

Wow, what a great source Tess is for you. All that knowledge and history and care for her sheep is fantastic. If I ever want to get sheep, I know exactly where I want to get them, even if its halfway across the country. :)

[@BobbleheadHomestead]

Yes! Why not both? I just need a converted bus.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

If you move out this way it won't be half way across the country ;)

[@yaboyomar437]

Peoria Dude rrty

[@rockscorner5991]

The Grass-fed Homestead - I live right down the road from you and will be moving to spangle, wa soon to 8 acres fixin to start our own homestead. These videos with you and Tess are invaluable to me. (And, I also downloaded your book on starting with sheep😀). I hope to meet with y'all soon to start discussions on getting sheep as well. Your welcome to keep an eye on my KZbin channel. 😉

[@bettinah.7429]

I could watch and listen to Tess all day long....:)

[@crazycoyote1738]

What a sweet and resourceful lady!! I wish all livestock sellers will be positive, professional and honest as she did. Most of ours were grouchy and not so honest.

[@SansaStarkofWinterfell]

Such a wonderful lady Miss Tess is, great job with the records as well. I enjoyed watching this video even though I haven't any plans for sheep knowing that you do made watching this very interesting to watch. =) 🌾Be Blessed ღ 🌿

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) Thanks Sansa.

[@vickycushman8482]

Very informative! Your little homestead is growing!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) Soon!

[@WholesomeRoots]

Tess is amazing! I am taking a Small Ruminate Production Class with UGA right now and Tess literally touched on everything they have taught us! Ryan, my husband works at a sheep dairy and has been talking me into taking home "Millie" an East Fresian. She is likely bred! I am starting to think it's a good idea because sheep milk is so high in fat that the cheese is amazing! I am really happy you are considering Dairy sheep!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

GET MILLIE!! That would be awesome! You can even freeze sheep milk and it thaws just as good as fresh. I don't believe goat can do that.

[@candicechristensen1753]

I'm so excited to see more sheep videos and that you're talking about milking them!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) We're excited too Candice! Milking will be an adventure

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

It's wonderful you have good friends that help pick out the critters you are looking for :) enjoyed this

[@sandyrees490]

I'm so excited to watch as you start milking sheep. I'd love to learn with you so please share everything you learn.

[@sandyrees490]

Oh. Sheep milk recipes too! We are getting some katahdins from Doug and Stacy!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

From Doug and Stacy?! That's awesome! How neat is that! Great choice in stock and breeder ;) I will absolutely be taking you on the journey in dairy!

[@TheTexasBoys]

Great video! Learned some things about sheep! Have you considered a dairy goat?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I have but I decided I don't really want goats. My wife does. I told her, "we can get goats but you have to do all the management". She decided she didn't want goats either

[@pippad531]

what a lovely woman Tess is, so helpful and knowledgeable. good luck choosing, I'd wanna take them all x

[@joanhendrix5967]

I love Tess! This is very exciting!

[@iwantosavemoney]

that is so awesome the way she goes about saying ABC team and c team will be delicious instead of saying they will be culled. very nice

[@thedutchhomesteader3775]

Interesting video's :) Thanks! You also have not a lack of snow over there :o Not used to that overhere in the Netherlands

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Hi Dutch! Yes, we have an abundance of snow this year!

[@mick3805]

Very interesting vlog today, makes me want to get sheep

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Awesome! I hope you get some!

[@Shocarnee]

Tess is awesome. Another great educational video, thanks Dan

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) I'm glad you liked it. And you are correct, Tess is awesome!

[@joekhaytat2]

This channel is amazing

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you, Joe!

[@LangFamilyFarmsLA]

Found myself smiling ear to ear for you! Which ones did you pick? Also I think my 2 ewes are pregnant. We didn't think they were but just over the last couple of days their utters have filled tremendously! Ill post some video of them and get you a link to see what they look like right before lambing and such! congrats on the breeding stock man.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I completely messed up and didn't did a segment on which sheep we got. I will do another video discussing it. That's awesome...you're about to go through your first lambing! Yes, please share the link!

[@19Photographer76]

Oh Tess, wouldn't we like that in all of our stock, good list for sure. Looks like you're feeding Alfalfa...?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

she's using pea pellets but I'm not sure if there is alfalfa in the hay as a blend or not

[@joansmith3492]

So how many are you going to buy? Have you decided? Like all the other commentors, I really enjoy hearing Tess talk about her sheep.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I have decided. I will do a video on it soon :)

[@sandyrees490]

I learned so much from this one! Thanks

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

You're welcome! I'll pass it on to Tess

[@onedazinn998]

Are you going to go with all the ones you guys discussed? How many ewes are you going to get? You looked so happy cute with that lamb o.-

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes...all 4 :)

[@PrattFamilyHomestead]

Great video!! - Mike

[@carolinebaines8735]

So who did you pick?!?!?! 😀 Tess is a gem!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I will announce soon! :)

[@smokeyangelav]

I can tell you bought some from your excitement about the lambing but I must have missed you saying which ones you would take. Did you get them all?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I was so excited I didn't even make that clear in the film! Whoops! I'll follow up in a video and let you know.

[@angelabryant6141]

Great information 👍🏼 saving this video for future.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes, that was great info from Tess!

[@amarlin1]

I would to see how she keeps her records for breeding and birthing.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

We'll be visiting during lambing. I'll see if we can discuss that

[@amarlin1]

The Grass-fed Homestead , i want to know: is it a software or does her hand write it herself?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

She writes it all down on a note book. I filmed Tess today talking about her record keeping. It'll be in tomorrow's video

[@lessycurls]

where is she located, I would love to check out her sheet that are for sale. Does she have a website?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

bahbahblacktailfarm.com/index.html

[@shepherdewan]

Is that Annabel in the flock

[@MyVisualRomance]

Excellent run down by Tess. You can tell she's been at this for quite awhile. I would add that I also look at body condition, specifically straight long backs (don't care much for shorter length girls or saddle dip backs) and I look for wide squared-out stance on the front legs when facing them head on. I want thick legs all the way down (no toothpick legs in the shape of a V when they stand. I prefer bigger girls than skinny ones. I personally steer away from ewes that are either a triplet themselves or their mother was or they have triplets. Same for my sires. Triplets are a nightmare. You'll either lose #3 runt in the first week or you'll be up at all hours bottle feeding forever. Momma only has 2 nipples and that means one of the lambs is gonna get butted out (usually the runt #3 but not always). I also recommend new shepherds buy at least half your ewes who have already had at least one lambing if you want to expand your flock quicker. First year lambing ewes usually have singles (but some can surprise you with twins, more rare are triplets). Ideally you want mommas that consistently drop twins and preferably more ewe lambs than ram lambs if you're looking to expand the flock. If one of my ewes keeps dropping rams only, she's gone (unless those rams are ideal gorgeous breeder rams that I can easily sell). My girls always deliver 10+ lb. birth weight Katahdin lambs. If they consistently deliver under 9 pounders, I sell her (exception to rule: triplets).

[@sweetheartsmom]

Will you have a ram or will your girls be rebred when they come to your farm?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

We will most likely borrow a ram from Tess (breeder) in the fall.

[@marybelfordsmith8421]

I may have missed this, Dan, in the video, but here goes: when you buy a bred ewe, do you also then get the lambs when they are born? or do you get only the ewes after lambs are weaned? Thanks!

[@stephensmercia]

Mary Belford Smith You'd only get the ewe which is what you paid for, unless you want her lamb too.

[@acoatofgold5627]

I always figured you were getting the baby. Same way if you buy a pregnant cow or horse and you keep the baby, you just pay extra up front for the animal.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

The ewes are being sold separately from their lambs but I will be buying the lambs also. Most will be for meat but we might keep one or two for replacement breeding stock

[@marybelfordsmith8421]

Thanks, Dan.

[@itzzzlizzz3920]

I feel like I'm the only one watching this in 2020 Is that weird or is it just me? -.-

[@Hunchfx313]

Me too. Haha high 5

[@cherylmosher6026]

March 2021 for me :)

[@isaaclinscheid4273]

Yay

[@JAW88]

Okay so did you decide?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

yes! all of the above

[@lebanesedude5190]

She's like gandalf the grey, grey hair and so much wisdom

[@joseluis7118]

How much costs a sheep?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

cost vary depending on size, age, experience, breed, location, desperation of seller etc. I can't really give you a number

[@jeffwright5942]

thank you help me with a few tips and you , are a genyus tess from Daniel...

[@brianphilbrook5262]

Nice you'll have quite a herd when you're done

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I hope ;)

[@shepherdewan]

Annabel is a clever girl

[@JAW88]

Look into making ice cream from the sheep milk it's the best for you

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

and real feta!

[@welshharlequin7722]

I would love to get sheep but they would become like dogs, since I don't eat them. I like watching the sheep though.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I know what you mean

[@shepherdewan]

Sheep are clever not stupid

[@bg588]

Connie and Fiji are far too old

[@denverbasshead]

If you are just breeding them, you can keep them until they die pretty much, why get rid of them when yiu can get another lamb

[@SALTYDEPLORABLEGARBAGE]

When they start losing their teeth that is when they become a major hassle.