How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?

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nuzuki

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How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« on: March 06, 2013, 11:55 »
Im interested in some sheep, maybe 2 minimum or maybe 6 maximum but probably 4. I would like to have a go at lambing on a small scale and raise them for meat for myself. I have access to just under an acre plot of land to put them on and am currently securing the fencing and building them a shelter.

Can anyone tell me what is a good price for sheep/lambs? which do I look for? I know a local farmer who is willing to lend me a ram but wouldnt mind raising my own ram if its something i'll be involved with for some time to come.

Any help would be greatful, particulary with prices.

Thanks

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arugula

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2013, 12:27 »
Price will depend very much on breed, as will whether they need a shelter or not or would be better off outside.
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John

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2013, 12:39 »
If you've not got a trusted friend who can sell them, then check out your local livestock market. I think a ewe will start from £60 to £100 but too many variables (age, breed, quality) to fine down an exact price on a forum
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Kate and her Ducks

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2013, 18:40 »
How long's a piece of string?!

My registered, pedigree ewes cost me £80 each last year. Probably a very fair price especially as the price of sheep seems to be going up at the moment. Even older stock and cade lambs are apparently fetching good prices.
Apparently you can get some bargins on places like preloved from people trying to find homes for pets that have outgrown their gardens etc. Not looked myself though.
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Sparkyrog

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2013, 20:16 »
There is a way to get into sheep breeding cheaply but it is a little brutal although better for the sheep in the long run ! and do you like mutton ?
I cook therefore I grow

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Sparkyrog

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2013, 20:20 »
also your ground wants to be on the the dryer side as footrot can be a major problem ,not hard to deal with but not pleasant either .

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grinling

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 09:12 »
Someone on preloved in Lincolnshire (Grantham) are selling his sheep (ewes and ram) for £180

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nuzuki

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2013, 10:41 »
Thanks for the replies. I was offered last year some sheep (or possibly lambs) at the cost of £35 each which after seeing your replies seems an absolute bargain. I shall contact them in the next couple of weeks and see if they can quote that again. Its a farm under 5 miles from me. Also is there any make shift ways of transporting them? Or is it best to borrow a proper livestock trailer? A couple of people in the village should allow me to borrow theirs.

If I have a dead sheep on my land do I call a company to come and collect it? I think the farmers I spoke to said its £50 a visit which just wouldnt make financial sense to me. (nacker van?)

sparkyrog - I have a concrete plinth under the field shelter but then the land does get very soggy round here due to clay. I still think given a choice of pigs vs sheep, the sheep would be a better bet for the land I have. How do you mean get into sheep breeding cheaply, do you mean get an old ewe and take the risk of whether she is still fertile? Then build up a stock from there?

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Sparkyrog

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 10:43 »
Thanks for the replies. I was offered last year some sheep (or possibly lambs) at the cost of £35 each which after seeing your replies seems an absolute bargain. I shall contact them in the next couple of weeks and see if they can quote that again. Its a farm under 5 miles from me. Also is there any make shift ways of transporting them? Or is it best to borrow a proper livestock trailer? A couple of people in the village should allow me to borrow theirs.

If I have a dead sheep on my land do I call a company to come and collect it? I think the farmers I spoke to said its £50 a visit which just wouldnt make financial sense to me. (nacker van?)

sparkyrog - I have a concrete plinth under the field shelter but then the land does get very soggy round here due to clay. I still think given a choice of pigs vs sheep, the sheep would be a better bet for the land I have. How do you mean get into sheep breeding cheaply, do you mean get an old ewe and take the risk of whether she is still fertile? Then build up a stock from there?
yes basicly sheep are aged by their teeth, old broken mouthed ewes are normally still fertile and make good mothers they just don't do as well but the lambs do .they don't have as many often either. but if you can buy lambs for £35 grabem  :)
« Last Edit: March 08, 2013, 10:49 by sparkyrog »

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arugula

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 12:34 »
If I have a dead sheep on my land do I call a company to come and collect it? I think the farmers I spoke to said its £50 a visit which just wouldnt make financial sense to me. (nacker van?)

I don't think its anything like that amount for sheep, but I haven't got the figures to hand. I'll check if no-one else has got back to you on that.

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8doubles

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2013, 13:22 »
Would orphan lambs be an option?

If you had the time to hand rear i think you could get the lambs for little initial cost.

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nuzuki

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2013, 14:49 »
In fact I have just been reading about orphan lambs, I think this is the prefferred method for me.

http://www.rivercottage.net/forum/ask/other-livestock/22510how-often-and-how-much-to-feed-orphan-lambs/

I hear in some cases they can be had for free :) I only have just under an acre field to put them in so would 4 sheep be too many or too little? I understand i'd have to spend less on feed if I can give them grass to eat but I dont think my acre would last long with them chomping at it all day long. I have a fenced off section with a shelter so I can put them in there and substitute the grass for feed whilst the grass replenishes possibly?

I have a wedding to goto tomorrow but shall try kicking this off on sunday or next weekend. I'll let you know how it all turns out :)

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John

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2013, 09:23 »
Have you considered buying a reference book? This is highly regarded: Starting with Sheep by Mary Castell - it's available from Broad Leys here: Starting with Sheep

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Kate and her Ducks

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2013, 19:59 »
I don't think its anything like that amount for sheep, but I haven't got the figures to hand. I'll check if no-one else has got back to you on that.

I paid £16 for a company that specialises in fallen stock. There is a not for profit organisation for fallen stock. Farmers with lrge numbers join for a months or yearly fee and can then call them out whenever to collect fallen stock. For those of us with just a couple of animals it is easier to pay as and when but they are still a good point of call as they can put you in touch with a company or two near to you which is what I did.

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Kate and her Ducks

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Re: How much to pay for sheep? Whats a good price?
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2013, 20:00 »
http://www.nfsco.co.uk/

This is them. They were very helpful when I sadly needed them.



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