Co-Managing Sheep and Goats Important Considerations Dr. Brian Faris Extension 4-H Youth Livestock Specialist Department of Animal Science North Carolina State University

Introduction Born & Raised in Southwest Texas Raised Rambouillet Sheep and Angora Goats and Showed Market Lambs Worked for TAMU Sheep & Goat Center Angelo State University Ranch Came to North Carolina from New Mexico Currently raising fullblood and percentage boers and some Southdown sheep

Topics Similarities and Differences between Raising Sheep and Goats Nutrition Reproduction Management practices

Nutrition Similarities Both are small ruminants Stocking rate CP and TDN requirements Stocking rate 1 cow / 2 acres 1 cow ≈ 5 sheep 1 sheep ≈ 1 Boer or Boer cross goat

Small ruminants Stocking rates

Nutrition Similarities Differences Both are small ruminants Stocking rate Differences Grazing habits Sheep tend to graze from the bottom upward Goats tend to graze from the top downward

Grazing Habits

Nutrition Similarities Differences Both are small ruminants Stocking rate Differences Grazing habits Grazing preferences

Grazing Preferences Sheep Goats Fairly Selective HAY Very Selective Forbs Grass Browse HAY Alfalfa Coastal Bermuda Orchardgrass Peanut Goats Very Selective Forbs Browse Grass HAY Peanut Orchardgrass Alfalfa Coastal Bermuda

Nutrition Similarities Differences Both are small ruminants Stocking rate Differences Grazing habits Grazing preferences Specific nutrient requirements

Nutrient Requirements Sheep ~2%BW Dry Matter Very Sensitive to Cu P requirements are similar to goats but do not appear to be as sensitive Goats ~3%BW Dry Matter Need 2-3x Cu level Very Sensitive to P (Do not exceed 0.40% on the feed tag – 0.35% is ideal)

Nutrition Similarities Differences Both are small ruminants Stocking rate Differences Grazing habits Grazing preferences Specific nutrient requirements Fat deposition

Fat Deposition Sheep Goat

Nutrition Lambs Kids Self-feeder Pellet or Textured Feed 16-18% CP 1.5-2.5% Fat Kids Self-feeder Pelleted Feed 14-16% CP 2.5-3.5% Fat

Reproduction Similarities Differences 5 month gestation (145-155 days) Chromosome number Estrous cycle length Flushing rates / Birth rates Teat structure Out-of-Season breeders

Differences Sheep Goat Chromosomes Estrous Cycle Flushing Rates Birth Rates Teat Structure Out-of-Season Breeders 54 60 17 days 21 days 8-12 embryos 16-24 embryos 125-175% 175-225% 2 functional 2-4 functional No, with a few exceptions Yes, with a few exceptions

Management Practices Health Facilities Miscellaneous Management Guard animals

Health Sheep Goats Deworm Coccidiosis Overeating Tetanus CL Ketosis Orphan Lambs Soremouth Goats Deworm Coccidiosis Overeating Tetanus CL Ketosis Orphan Kids Soremouth Floppy Kid Silent Pneumonia

Facilities Sheep Goats Shelters Fencing Feed Troughs Working Pens Electric Fence Feed Troughs Working Pens Goats Shelters Fencing Field Fence Feed Troughs Working Pens

Miscellaneous Management Sheep Less foot care Some shearing except Hair breeds Horns/No horns – Does not matter Castrate lambs 30 days or less Goats More foot care Require no shearing except for Angoras May disbud kids (wethers) Castrate kids at 60-90 days

Guard Animals Llamas Dogs Donkeys Great Pyrenees Akbash Komondor Anatolian Shepherd Maremma Donkeys

QUESTIONS