Lonely Sheep Wether Seeks Buddy - Another sheep? Goats? Kune Kune pigs?

[FatCatFarm]

I have a bottle baby Shetland Sheep Wether who is 2 years old and who I have put in with my Mini Horses and he’s fine in there, but not really happy. The minis really don’t bother him, but they are bossy. Then again, Angus, the wether, can be bossy too. He had a sheep friend, a Cheviot Cross wether, who bullied him, then tried headbutting me one time too many and was sold. He liked our two llama girls (they hated him) but they went to another farm this weekend.

Thinking of getting him a low key pasture companion. Possible options are: A Harlequin sheep ewe who is a bottle baby; a pair of Nigerian Dwarf goat bottle babies; or a pair of Kune Kune pig youngsters.

I really don’t want another sheep to shear but a friendly bottle baby is doable. A hair sheep like Katahdin would be my preference but it’s nearly impossible to find sheep bottle babies near us.

We’ve had Nigerian Dwarf goats in the past. They’re adorable but maddening with the incessant screaming at times; goat berries everywhere and chewing and climbing; not to mention the escape artistry.

Kune Kune pigs. I must admit I am intrigued. We adore pigs and have had a potbellied who was terrible about fencing. Pretty much let himself out of anywhere we put him by pulling the fence up. Otherwise he was charming. He now resides with a friend of mine who has more heavy duty fencing. I understand that Kune Kune’s do not challenge fencing and root way less that their longer-nosed counsins.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Willesdon]

I’m ignorant here, but wouldn’t a sheep prefer a sheep as a companion?

[FatCatFarm]

@Willesdon

I’m ignorant here, but wouldn’t a sheep prefer a sheep as a companion?

Of course, but I didn’t make myself clear: I’m willing to entertain another sheep, if I can find one tame enough, i.e. bottle fed - which for sheep is actually pretty rare; unlike goats. But this is why goats are bottle raised - to make them friendly and easy to handle; and the small variety are often kept as pets; less so sheep.

We started out with three shetland sheep wethers. Angus and two others, who were only partially bottle raised and because of that, semi-feral and difficult to handle. Even though they were small shetlands, the process of handling them to get them sheared each year, was a rodeo and not pleasant. So I sold them.

And as mentioned, we had another bottle lamb/wether, a Cheviot, who turned out to be a bully and a headbutter. He got sold too.

All of which is why, a benign pasture companion is more important over species.

[js]

Well if he isn’t totally happy with the mini’s I would think the same would be true for a pig. Maybe a goat, not the same as a sheep but closer. Otherwise I’d say look for a sheep.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Sheep need sheep. We raise a nice gentle breed of sheep that are easy to handle and love on even though they weren’t bottle raised. Sometimes bottle lambs are brats. Contact a sheep breeder in your area and ask if they have any gentle sheep. Try not to get stuck on the bottle raised thing.

Goats often beat up sheep.

Pigs are scary to sheep. The smell alone can spook them.

Sheep are less stressed with another sheep as a companion.

[FatCatFarm]

Are those Katahdins? Cute. Good info. I’m worried about goats girdling the trees too.

When we had the potbellied pig, he actually hung out with the sheep and they got along great together.

[Falconfree]

If the noise of the goats was bothersome, you will probably find the same to be true of pigs. The loudest animals on my farm are my Kune Kunes, hands down (despite also having goats and mini donkeys). My female, in particular, will scream her head off if she thinks there is any possibility I have food. The noise is the thing I like least about them. It is amazing that such small animals can be so LOUD.

”‹”‹”‹They are super fun though. Extremely personable, very similar to dogs, and don’t get too big. My barrow, Ron Weasley, is especially sweet. He rolls over for belly rubs the moment anybody takes notice of him. They don’t root nearly as much as other pigs, though they do still root some (especially if a horse or other animals drops some grain on the ground). The only place in the pastures where the pigs have caused damage is this one spot where I spread a bunch of hot mash for the ponies as a special treat. The pigs made sure every crumb was gone.

I’ve had little problem fencing them. They will respect the no-climb I tacked over an older wood fence, and the electric netting I use for rotating smaller pastures. The only one that causes any trouble is the one who came here younger than the others (a few weeks old, rather than 4 months). He was/is small enough to slip under the electric without getting shocked, apparently, so it became a habit. Hoping that he gets better once he gets bigger, and gets shocked from it. The pigs really hate getting shocked by the fence, and give it a wide berth, off or on.

I’ve not had sheep yet (hoping for some Katadhins next year!), but the pigs get along fine with every other critter around here, since I mix species in pastures. The single duck hangs with the pigs all the time. The pigs are definitely scarier to other animals at first, but they usually get over it within a few days. It’s day 3 with our untouched BLM mustang, and she doesn’t even give them the side eye anymore when they cut through her round pen. When I look out during the day, often the dwarf goats, mini horses, big horse, Jersey cows, and pigs are all grazing together in a loose group, even though the pasture is big enough that they don’t have to be together. I don’t know whether they would consider each other good companions, but they get along.

[GoTeke]

Ime, go with the sheep. Find yourself a hair sheep breeder that is willing to part with a triplet at lambing time or check the livestock auctions if you can’t find someone privately. Ask around your local 4-H groups if you have a hard time finding one.

Our goats were far harder on the fence then sheep. Goats also require extra copper in their diet, enough to kill a sheep so personally I have found them easier not to mix. As said, goats will test your fences and find the foods they aren’t supposed to have but are far pickier then a sheep when it comes to eating the pasture.

Pigs, I would worry about tusks, those things are sharp and I would hate to see one of those go across a horses leg.

Sheep on the other hand are good pasture mates for horses as they don’t even share parasites from what I have been told in the past

[moonlitoaksranch]

St Augustine hair sheep. Nice personalities. Begging for attention in the photo.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Agree with getting another sheep. I raised Jacobs for years, and learned that sheep only want to be with other sheep. Period. And unlike goat bottle babies, hand-fed sheep often become terrorists with no healthy fear and respect for people. (More like bottle foals.) And they’re big enough to hurt you if they knock you down or charge you.

With any parent-raised lamb, it’s just a matter of teaching them that you are the source of the food and treats. Once they figure that out, they’ll follow you around like the Pied Piper! Good luck, I love Shetlands and always wanted a few.

[FatCatFarm]

Well the Shetlands would certainly follow, occasionally allow a pet, but were downright skittery in any other circumstance and a huge PITA to shear each year, or worm, which is why I will only take in another that is very friendly. We’ll see.

Goats are just so much easier to come by and I do like them. Entertaining as all get-out, but hell to contain and pretty much will destroy/girdle any tree in their pens and we like our trees. Waiting to hear back from a farm about another Shetland.

@Falconfree thanks for the feedback on the Kune Kune pigs. That’s still a possibility as I’m not sure Angus really thinks of himself as a sheep. I could definitely see him and a pig palling around together. He liked his llama girls even though he was bossy with them. He could not have cared less about the Cheviot wether we had and I really think he despised him too.

[eightpondfarm]

i’m an Icelandic sheep shepherd. Sheep do indeed prefer sheep! And, actually, seem to like their own breed, and in lots of cases, the same color. I’d go with another sheep. I don’t think it’s important to get a bottle lamb in order to have a pet, some sheep just LIKE people (some do not). You can even raise a bottle baby and when it gets older can be a bit standoffish. I say, look for an individual sheep (yes! they all do have their own individual personalities!!!) that fits your needs, adult OR lamb.

[poltroon]

I also have sheep and would agree that some sheep are very people oriented and some aren’t. My two bottle babies are pretty skittish; then there are three that were not bottle raised but find people fascinating and will follow me everywhere.

I’d contact some People With Sheep, ideally a small flock, to ask them for one that seems especially friendly that needs a new home.

Also: my sheep have enjoyed having pet chickens, believe it or not. :lol:

[candyappy]

I have goats now and did raise hair sheep for years and they did well together. I would suggest a dehorned goat if your sheep is dehorned, or a goat with horns if the sheep has horns. I would get a female as that might have them coexist a bit easier.