A guide to raising sheep that covers production systems, breeds, housing, facilities, fences, enclosures, feeding, pasture management, predators, marketing meat and wool, environmental stewardship, and other related topics.

Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep is the best-selling, most trusted reference for farmers and backyard homesteaders with any size flock. The fifth edition is now updated with full-color illustrations and photographs throughout, including a gallery of the best breed choices for both meat and fiber. With their small size and gentle dispositions, sheep are one of the easier livestock species to raise and offer varied marketing opportunities, including meat, wool, and milk. Detailed instructions and graphics lead readers through every essential procedure, including shearing, building a lambing shed, breeding and lambing, butchering, and marketing.

• A comprehensive guide to raising sheep, goats, angora rabbits, and alpacas for producing fiber • Provides practical information on housing, fencing, feed, grooming, shearing, plucking, basic health care, breeding and birthing • Includes a comparison of popular breeds and how their fiber differs from breed to breed • Features a frank discussion of the energy and commitment that it takes to raise livestock, and how much room and land each animal species will need • Contains essential biosecurity practices to prevent spreading pests and infectious animal diseases, as well as advice on hand spinning and crafts to utilize your homegrown fiber

This one-of-a-kind encyclopedia shines a spotlight on more than 200 animals and their wondrous fleece. Profiling a worldwide array of fiber-producers that includes northern Africa’s dromedary camel, the Navajo churro, and the Tasmanian merino, Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson include photographs of each animal’s fleece at every stage of the handcrafting process, from raw to cleaned, spun, and woven. The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook is an artist’s handbook, travel guide, and spinning enthusiast’s ultimate reference source all in one.

Katahdin Hair Sheep - Raising a Profitable Breed of Sheep Table of Contents Introduction Chapter 1: What are Katahdin Hair Sheep Chapter 2: The Katahdin Advantage Chapter 3: Selecting Katahdin Sheep for your Flock Chapter 4: Reaping the Benefits of the Katahdin Breed Closing Remarks Author Bio Introduction More than a few people would use words like ‘dumb’ and ‘stupid’ to describe sheep. Not me. I use words like ‘trusting’, ‘habitual’ and ‘profitable’. I use these words because they are what I know sheep to be. As someone who spent over twenty years as a shepherd to several hundred head of sheep, I can say in no uncertain terms that I know the potential for sheep when it comes to making your farm a profitable business. The degree of profitability, however, depends upon the quality of your sheep. And when it comes to quality, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better breed of sheep than the Katahdin. Katahdin are hair sheep; meaning they don’t have wool. So yes, if your intentions for raising sheep are for spinning, you will need to choose a wool breed known for the quality of their wool. But if it’s meat production you are after, look no further than the Katahdin.

Grow your own food and cook more from scratch.

Raise a flock of sheep in your backyard. Even with a limited amount of space, you can enjoy homegrown fleece and fresh milk, as well as the endearing company of these family-friendly animals. Sue Weaver provides all the instructions you need for selecting a breed; housing and feeding; harvesting fleece; and milking. With simple recipes for making cheese and yogurt, and tips on processing fleece for wool, you’ll enjoy the varied and numerous rewards of keeping sheep.

"The Sheep Book offers a template for both the beginner and the old hand. Mixing theoretical, technical and practical, Parker offers a buffet of tips for any sheep producer." --Joel Salatin, author of You Can Farm

Whether you're getting your first sheep or would like to learn more about caring for and showing the sheep you have, Your Sheep has the information you need to be successful. Paula Simmons and Darrell Salsbury cover everything you need to know, from choosing and buying the right sheep to feeding, heath care, shearing, showing, breeding, and lambing.