Although commonly distant and aloof, sheep are wonderful additions to a homestead. In time, many breeds will warm up to their human caretakers, becoming quite friendly and comfortable standing near you. Of course, a bucket of grain is also very persuasive. 😉
Characteristics:
Although there are many different varieties, most sheep are generally hornless and are extensive grazers, preferring clover and shorter grasses, close to the ground. Sheep have a strong desire to stay with their group and hate to be separated from the rest of the flock. Sheep commonly have a wool coat that requires shearing, and their tails are often docked for sanitary purposes.
Breeds:
There are several different breeds of sheep. These breeds can generally be divided into three categories: Wool, Meat, and Dual Purpose. These general categories are divided into many multiple categories, such as Long Wool or Fine Wool sheep. Depending on your homesteading operation and goals, certain breeds might be more preferable than another. Some examples of common wool breeds are: Merino, Leicester Long-wool, and Lincoln. Some common meat breeds are: Dorset, Suffolk, Kahtadin, and Dorper; while Hampshire and Dorset sheep are dual purpose. Below are links to my favorite Roots in the Clay blog posts involving sheep, as well as links to sheep-related websites that I have found very useful.
