Introducing Sheep to Goats Questions

Hi everyone,

  Does anyone have experience with bringing sheep and goats together?

    I have 3 ND wethers who are a year old and would like to bring in 2 or 3 sheep, as pets and for their wool, as well. They would be housed separately but eventually I'd like to have them in the field together in a rotational, electric fenced system.

    My questions have to do with that process of bringing them together. I'm looking at either the small Shetland breed, who are about the same size as the ND's or the Tunis breed, which is quite a bit larger. Both are heritage breeds known for their calm temperament.  I am mostly concerned about the goats bullying the sheep, particularly at the beginning. If I get lambs of either breed, I know I can't put them in with the goats until they are larger and they'd be housed and in separate but adjacent field areas, separated by fencing so that they could get used to each other. I'd be grateful for thoughts on the process of eventually having them in the same fenced area.

  My other question is about the sheep breed and their size. I like the idea of the smaller Shetlands, but would they likely be more prone to being dominated by the goats than the Tunis which are significantly larger than the goats?  Or do you think it would matter.

  Perhaps I sound overly concerned about aggression but that is just because I am concerned. Having tussles for a little while doesn't concern me but having them between species in perpetuity does. 

   Thanks very much.

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Replies

  • Thanks, Deborah.

  • Aggression between sheep and goats is pretty minimal, but there are challenges, which I talk about in the article that Tammy shared. I have had both sheep and goats for 19 years, and they have only been penned together on two separate occasions when it was absolutely necessary. I'm really not a fan of the idea. It's much easier if they are in separate areas.

  • Thanks, Tammy.

  • Hi Ann

    I can’t lend any personal experience to this, but I did find an article for you. Hopefully this will give a start on answering some of your questions :)

    https://thriftyhomesteader.com/can-i-keep-sheep-and-goats-together/

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