Research to do before starting a flock

To start a sheep flock, you need to research & select a suitable sheep breed based on your land and goals. Then you can acquire a small number of healthy sheep from a reputable source, ensure to properly set up your pasture and fencing, including necessary infrastructure like shelters and handling facilities. You must develop a comprehensive health management plan and stay informed about local regulations regarding sheep ownership and movement; consult with experienced sheep farmers and vets for guidance throughout the process.

Key steps to starting a sheep flock:

Research and plan:

Land assessment: Evaluate your available land for grazing capacity, terrain, and climate to determine the best breed of sheep.
Breed selection: Choose a sheep breed that aligns with your goals (wool production, meat, etc.) and land conditions.
Legal requirements: Understand local regulations regarding sheep ownership, flock registration, and disease reporting. Find legal requirements here.
Understand common terms: This will make speaking with farmers, research, and preparation a lot easier. Find a mini dictionary of terms here

Acquire your sheep:

Find a reputable source: Look for a breeder with a healthy flock and good breeding practices. NSA holds ram sales in the second half of every year, so it may be worth visiting to experience what it’s like.
Start small: Begin with a small number of sheep as it will be a learning curve, plus the small flock will minimize initial costs. If you have never raised sheep before, the first suggestion would be to start small with a few ewes and then increase numbers in future years, if the sheep business is for you. Sheep are flock animals, so it is possible to have a flock of around 5-10, so long as sheep are not solitary.
Health checks: Make sure you are aware of common diseases and symptoms. Ensure all new sheep are properly vaccinated and tested for common diseases before introducing them to your flock.
Be aware of tups: While you can keep rams with sheep, it's generally only recommended during the breeding season when you want them to mate. For the rest of the year, it's best to keep rams separated from the flock. Many choose to borrow another farmer’s ram for mating as this makes in simpler.

Set up your pasture and fencing:

Fencing: Install sturdy, well-maintained fencing to contain your sheep, keep out anyone or anything who is not supposed to be there, and protect them from predators.
Pasture management: Divide your pasture into sections for rotational grazing to optimise grass quality.
Shelter: Provide adequate shelter for your sheep, especially during extreme weather conditions. Sheep can feel the hot and the cold so be sure that you are prepared for either.

Establish a health management plan:

Veterinary care: Establish a relationship with a veterinarian experienced with sheep and create a vaccination schedule.
Ensure regular check-ups: For vaccines, hoof care, and general health assessments.
Parasite control: Develop a strategy for parasite management, including regular faecal checks and appropriate treatments.
Disease monitoring: Regularly monitor your flock for signs of illness and implement biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread.
Keep records: Keeping detailed records of health, breeding and flock management helps you spot if something is wrong, and helps you plan.

Essential infrastructure:

Handling facilities: Build a safe and efficient system for handling sheep, such as a loading chute and shearing area.
Water access: Ensure consistent access to clean drinking water for your flock.

Learn essential sheep husbandry skills:

Shearing: Understand the proper techniques for shearing your sheep based on their breed and wool type or find a shearer who will complete the task for you. The NSA offers a Shearing List to find someone local.
Lambing: Learn about the birthing process and how to assist if necessary. If in need of help at lambing time, check the NSA Lambing List for an extra pair of hands, or advertise that you need assistance.

Important considerations:

Local regulations: Check with your local authorities regarding any specific requirements for keeping sheep.
Community involvement: Consider joining a sheep farming association to access knowledge and support from experienced farmers.
Continuous learning: Stay updated on the latest best practices in sheep farming to ensure the health and well-being of your flock.