It was time to say goodbye to my sheep

Рет қаралды 8,309

Жыл бұрын

Hello! We’ve decided to sell all sheep breeding stock on our homestead (for now). This video talks about how we came to make that decision and what life has been like after all was said and done. For our homestead and lifestyle, it was definitely a great choice. Life will continue to change and we'll adapt with it as our schedules and lifestyles allow. Who knows what the future holds! For now, we are very happy.
I hope this helps!
Happy homesteading!
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ABOUT THE HIGH MOUNTAIN HOMESTEAD
Hi! I’m PJ, and my family loves the homesteading life! It’s something my wife and I have always wanted to do, but we grew up with ZERO HOMESTEADING EXPERIENCE!!!!!We grew up in beautiful southern California, 15 minutes away from the beach. As amazing as that was, we both dreamed of a life closer to land and animals. After getting married and moving to Utah, our family slowly grew. We had become a family of four living in a townhome with a small backyard filled with potted plants.
In 2019 we dipped out feet into homesteading on 1 ¼ acre lot in Utah. In 18 months we were ready to do this for real. So in 2021 we packed everything up (including our sheep) and moved to North Carolina to 12 acres and we love every inch of our homestead!
We raise Dorper sheep and have big plans for:
• grass-fed lamb
• meat chickens
• laying chickens
• heritage breed pork
• honey
• row crops
• perennial food forest
• and more
I hope you join us on our journey, subscribe and ring the bell if you haven’t yet.
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Thank you for the music!
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Artist: Nathan Moore
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. But don't worry, it doesn't cost you anything extra!
#homesteading #sheep #dorpersheep

Пікірлер: 95

@YouCanFarm Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Your story is similar to so many people I've talked to, who get into sheep thinking they will be low input, and then get overwhelmed by parasite issues and pasture management. I've actually had a few potential new sheep owners get mad at me for warning them of exactly the challenges that you faced. I always recommend starting out with a few ram lambs to finish for meat before committing to a breeding program.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I wish I had heard this a few years ago. I totally agree. Sheep are still in my future, just not these particular sheep. Haha.

@Kylejohn33 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your honest story. Still having rams is good and I believe going with Katahdins will make a difference especially once you get your pastures better.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I agree. Many around me do fine with Katahdins.

@TheFrontAcre 11 ай бұрын

I appreciate this honesty and pointing out what a huge difference location can make! What works in one place won't necessarily work in another. 👍

@spookems8 Жыл бұрын

🙏

@55dennie Жыл бұрын

I hope you will continue making videos. I’m sure you still will have lots to share. Than you!!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I will/am! There's still a lot to talk about over here.

@NoniewithanO Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. I am sorry it didn't work out for you but applaud you for acknowledging the limitations of your resources. Good luck with your next chapter.

@jamestauber5819 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for giving an honest portrayal of your own challenges and downfalls with your flock. I appreciate it as an aspiring sheep owner. I will be in the arid climate of Northern Arizona, with a lot of land, so I should bypass the problems you are having, but I have no doubt I'll have plenty to call my own. Too many people only show "the good" and brush over "the bad". That makes the presenter look good, but doesn't help the viewers.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

That's why we started this thing in the first place. Too much of what's out there is sunshine and rainbows.

@lori8861 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your honesty. Love your channel.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thank you and thanks for watching!

@eweandmeranch4024 Жыл бұрын

Sheep are amazingly rewarding to raise but if you have losses or less than ideal conditions for them things can get difficult quick. It's always good to stop and re-evaluate

@ShepherdsCreek Жыл бұрын

I built a mobile sheep corral that we could just move around our front yard to give them fresh grass and spread nutrients and keep parasite loads down. I have to give them hay every day though because our front yard is... yard grass. I'm hoping in a couple years, I'll have better quality grazing grass and I won't have to supplement all all. I also have three other bigger paddocks and a really large area I'd like to turn into silvopasture some day. I'm sure you will be in a better spot to raise your sheep when you get into it again. I'm looking forward to learning more from you!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Great plan!

@joyceweaver6949 Жыл бұрын

I've been raising Dorper sheep for several years now--when they first were imported into this country. They have been doing very well for me. From looking at your videos it appears to me that you need to mow your pastures at least once or twice a year. Mowing actually stimulates new growth and cuts down on the weeds allowing more grass to grow. Dorper sheep are not as tolerant of intestinal worms because they were developed in a dry climate (Australia). You need to select for worm tolerance in any flock in this country. Utah is drier than North Carolina so I can see why they did better there. The best dewormer for barber pole worm is Levamisole (Prohibit). It gets all stages of the worm, whereas the other dewormers don't get all stages of the worms so you have to frequently deworm using those. There is a lot to learn about raising sheep. One makes mistakes but if you hang in there the rewards are great.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the helpful advice. I actually have a plan to occasionally mow (2 times a year is good advice).

@thomasreto2997 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for being open and straightforward. We have 4 agricultural acres of tropical rainforest. The big take away from your videos is to start small with a couple feeder rams and figure out the breed that thrives in your climate. Hope to see your feeds(about any homesteading topic)in the future as your content is absolutely necessary. Thank you.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

That's it! I wish I knew that before I started.

@robinsmith4524 Жыл бұрын

So sorry to hear your sheep are going but, full understand have really enjoyed your channel. I am facing many of the issues you have had. Good luck for the future.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Life has been much easier and we've had a lot less homestead-induced stress since selling the ewes. It's been a good decision. We still have our 4 rams, they are doing well and are so low maintenance. We're slowing down so that we can enjoy the moment more. Part of the reason we got into homesteading was for a healthy lifestyle, and we couldn't have that with loads of stress! We're back to enjoying this lifestyle again, as it is more balanced and we are able to do things outside of the homestead. Good luck to you as you move forward and make decisions for your flock/land.

@lovelife4111 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate how you compared your experiences between states! Some YT influencers advise (livestock, gardening, etc) as if the same routine in one region is doable in another region.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I think so too!

@Heckerfamilyhomestead Жыл бұрын

You are the reason I got into sheep to begin with. (And our KZfaq channel) However, I took your advise on seeing what works in my area. I am in South Western VA and everyone here has Katahdin's. So that is what I started with. Sorry you are having a rough time, but thank you for the inspiration. I totally get that it's a lot. We are almost one year on our property, and it has been one disaster after enough with this house. Maintain your sanity, and keep the great videos coming.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Congrats to you! Glad to hear my story connected with you. I do enjoy sheep, and they are definitely still in my future. But I may take a break from "breeding" sheep for a year or two, and just raise rams.

@dogabiltydogtraining8359 Жыл бұрын

PJ, Animal husbandry of any species can be exhausting to anyone no matter your level of experience and resources. You are a great person with a huge heart and only you know what is the best for your journey. I have enjoyed meeting you and do not hesitate if you ever need a helping hand with anything. Besides the usual obstacles, those animals are very lucky to have you as their shepherd.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! A lot of care goes into these animals. I definitely don't take their lives for granted. It's all been a great learning experience.

@diyfferent Жыл бұрын

You did what you had to do and that's better than most people out there can say. You never know what is ahead in life, or where you will be, so it's good to be adaptable and willing to change direction as needed. I say great job on everything, regardless. I hope everything else is going okay for you guys. You don't share much of your personal life but moving across the country is a big change. And the world is in such craziness, that it can be overwhelming. So I hope that you are hanging in there. Please stay healthy, don't take the shot, and keep moving forward.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thanks. You've been with me since the beginning. Much appreciated!

@diyfferent Жыл бұрын

@@homesteadingwithPJ I hope you continue to put out updates every now and then. Maybe you could share some of the other things happening in your life and on the homestead. Whatever you are comfortable with.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I will!

@spoolsandbobbins Жыл бұрын

@@homesteadingwithPJ yes!!! Please keep sharing!!! We’ll miss you too much otherwise.

@BaughbeSauce Жыл бұрын

I understand your decision to step back from sheep husbandry. We have just 3 acres and I got my 3 ewe lambs in August. They are dairy sheep (80%+ East Friesian with a little Lacaune and Polypay) that i got fairly locally from a lady just over the border in Wisconsin. I always joke that I take chameleon steps. Haha. I'll take the step... WAIT, NO. BACK. maybe now take a step? NOPE! NEED MORE RESEARCH! so I decided to start with lambs so I can socialize them and get through feeding for growth. The ram I will get next year as he doesn't need to be as old for breeding. They are sharing their pasture with our 26 chickens. The plan was to have 3 main pastures divided into 3 to 4 sections so we could have 9-12 rotational pastures. Unfortunately, we have only been able to put in one half acre pastures the girls have been on since getting them August due to post shortages. Everyone around here in southeast Iowa is backordered. Luckily I just sent in a fecal sample to the vet and he said it was the healthiest small ruminant sample he has seen in a long time with not a single egg. That doesn't mean there aren't any, but at least they're healthy and my practices (many I learned from you) are working to keep them healthy and thriving despite the current lack of rotation. I credit you and your channel with a lot of research and preparation I have done for these sheep. Making sure to buy local (4 hours away counts I think lol), vet the person and carefully examine the site you get them from, looking into and using natural AND chemical deworming solutions, handling. I just want you to know that you have made a big impact on a very small startup farm. I'm glad to see you growing and learning and SHARING what you've learned to help us new homesteaders and farmers out with your experiences. I hope you get back into sheep husbandry someday and God bless. 😊

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the comment! It is heart warming to know my fumbles and learning experiences are helping people out. Seriously best of luck with the sheep adventure. We would love to keep doing sheep, we just may take a break for a few years before we get back. We'll see. We are still enjoying our 4 rams right now though. They have been such an easier chore to take care of while we are raising our young family.

@danielodegaard8806 Жыл бұрын

PJ are you going to keep up the channel? I've really appreciated your down to earth approach to the channel sharing what's worked, what hasn't, and what you would do differently next time. My gal and I are hoping to move to a home with some land next year and would love to raise a couple of sheep for eating. I loved your advice from a recent video about getting weaned sheep first for freezer camp and seeing if you enjoy keeping animals. I grew up on a hobby farm and have a good idea what it's like to raise sheep, steers, and pigs, but my wife and young kiddos not so much. I hope you keep up the channel and give us more content on the ducks.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Hello! Thanks for the support! Yes we will still keep the channel. It's been a nice way to document what we've learned. We still have our 4 rams that were born here last spring. We're growing them out and may grow out other lambs next year to find out what breed works best in our new climate. We've been thinking about getting 2 pigs next spring to get our feet wet with pigs, but we have to finalize our plans. We will keep you posted on the channel with what adventures we get into next. Glad to hear you and your wife are both interested! It can be a balancing game to know what to get into when you have young kids. Part of selling the sheep breeding stock was that it was taking away too much family time which is a bigger investment for the future than getting ahead of yourself with livestock. Good luck to you and your family as you figure out what's next!

@spoolsandbobbins Жыл бұрын

That’s great PJ. Things always work out, especially when you’re heart is in the right place!! I’ve been binging your videos and then watched this one. I almost cried when you said you were selling your ewe, but it looks like it worked to the advantage of everyone involved. You look lighter and they look happy ❤ Please, please, please consider still making your wonderful videos!! Do you still have rabbits???

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Ahh, that means so much! I'll still keep making videos. As you can see, I still have sheep, so I'm not totally out the game yet! We actually just got some pigs, and I'll be doing some videos with the pigs soon too. We don't currently have rabbits, but we'll be getting more this year. Do you have rabbits? We really like rabbits and can't wait to get a few does again.

@justinjeffries1554 Жыл бұрын

We all need a break sometimes :)

@drs519 Жыл бұрын

Awesome for you to share your story PJ! If you ever consider consulting, I live in the tropics and have 25 acres of pasture and rainforest land. I have 10 Pelibuey sheep (similar to Katadin but native to Caribbean and South America) and after learning from your youtube channel I had to ask! I am so new to this and bought my sheep due to my land and timber forest. I wanted to do permaculture regenerative farming. So if you need to take another break and want to take a month or two and come to Panama and consult? Maybe you wouldn't need that 9-5 job.😊😊

@lfeezor1 Жыл бұрын

Been watching you for past year when we decided on sheep here in coastal NC. Just finished lambing season - whew! That stress plus hiring farm sitter for vacation, makes your idea of “stalker sheep” make a lot of sense. Only concern is - in my limited knowledge (and personal experience), ram lambs have more sensitive rumen. Do you do anything special from dietary standpoint when first introducing sheep to your farm? Also, what will you look for (and where will you get) these rams. Assume you will not get registered Dorpers merely for annual harvest. Please continue to post your journey!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help, congrats on a successful lambing season. I've never heard that intact rams have a sensitive rumen. I've heard that castrated wethers can't eat rich forage like alfalfa, but nothing about intact rams. I've never had any issues with my boys eating the same as ewes, even when it's 100% alfalfa hay or very dense clover for grassing.

@rossholmes178 Жыл бұрын

Greetings from Australia...mate, a bloke's gotta do what he has to do! This is supposed to be enjoyable and rewarding - if it's not, then time for a reset and good decisions come with time. Best of luck for the future and I'll be looking forward to videos about it!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Ah, my dream is to raise sheep in Australia! One day mate, one day!

@chriscollins5762 Жыл бұрын

I have enjoyed watching your videos on sheep from time to time. Taking a break is a good idea sometimes. Have you thought about trying a more hardy breed of sheep like st croix or katadhin? You may have less losses with a more hardy breed.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Yes. I think some kind of Katahdin or St. Croix cross is in my future.

@dwaynejones1146 Жыл бұрын

Dorper is likely the wrong breed for that climate....Kahtadin or St.Croix,Greg Judy genetics might be a better fit...thank you for your content.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I agreed. Everyone near me who does sheep has some kind of katahdin cross, some at Croix too.

@CCRep123 Жыл бұрын

Sorry for the parasite issues... no fun. Great videos. I live near Monticello Utah... maybe you could share where you got your Dorpers in Utah? Thx!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Mountain Valley Dorpers. They are good people.

@adriangordinier4055 Жыл бұрын

St. Croix... Low parasite problems and they love all the weeds.

@kolmardenshundtrimkolmarde4482 Жыл бұрын

Hi! I'm from Sweden and new with dorpersheep. And I'm struggling with hoofcare. Can you please show us how you do with the hoofs? I need all the advice you can get! Thats a video I would like too see! Thank you for all your tips! Its great!

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

You know, a lot of people ask me about hoof care, but I've been lucky with that. Haven't had any issues. Maybe because my pastures are rough, which grinds to hoof. But yeah, I've literally never trimmed hooves or had any issues.

@willbass2869 Жыл бұрын

Why are you raising sheep developed in the dry hot veld of SA? That just sounds crazy, wasteful of time, effort, & money. Also stressfully for a breed not native or developed in your area. Stick with locally developed breeds....next thing you'll say is you want to raise camels. 🤪

@martinlanderos4927 Жыл бұрын

Don't give up buddy I love you videos get a tractor and work you land

@ClareAndAlec Жыл бұрын

Do you ever run your goats through your sheep pasture? If not, maybe some multi-species grazing could help improve your pasture composition. Similarly, mob grazing is supposed to help encourage pastured livestock to eat whatever is available to them before they lose the opportunity, rather than being picky, which can also change the composition of a pasture.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I've thought about it. We had a couple of goats, but they were too small to make much of a difference. They also bullied the lambs, so they had to go. But I wonder if pushing my pasture with goats is the way to go for a bit before I get back to sheep.

@ClareAndAlec Жыл бұрын

@@homesteadingwithPJ that sounds like a good idea 👍

@Tisztak Жыл бұрын

We just moved to the Elkin area in NC from MI. Where abouts are you?

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Near Chapel Hill, Orange County.

@rsgallo Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that you're giving up sheep, even though maybe temporarily. How much land do you have? I ask because my daughter & son in law have 28 acres TOTAL, including house, long driveway and large out building for shop & equipment. I was thinking about getting started on their property with about 6 or 7 Dorpers and see how it goes. Sorry... I guess you did mention how large your 2 paddocks were.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Well I'm not going up sheep. Just switching to finishing sheep, and likely switching breeds. We are on 12 acres total. About 4 of it is fenced in pasture.

@coziii.1829 Жыл бұрын

Look at Greg Judy on how to do it

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

He's got a very different set up than what I can do. Plus he's doing it for profit and on a large scale. But yes, Greg is the man. Been watching him for years. Love what he's doing over there. Amazing sheep!

@jamestheeggplant5446 Жыл бұрын

Try heritage breeds like Florida crackers or gulf coast sheep. They can handle high parasite loads the south has.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I'll keep that in mind going forward. We're trying to plan out the best next move for the homestead. Maybe pigs? I'm sure we'll come back to sheep when we have more time.

@Nathan-kk8hy Жыл бұрын

Is that a Tree of Heaven right behind him and growing up all over?

@SHANONisRegenerate Жыл бұрын

Nice update mate. How did you lose the sheep? Barbers pole?

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

For sure at least one of them, and I believe the others were barber pole worm. My stud ram got sick because I bought sick sheep, and they gave him pneumonia. But yeah, Barber pole worm has been the biggest threat I think.

@SHANONisRegenerate Жыл бұрын

@@homesteadingwithPJ sweet as. Ive cut back my worming and do more testing with FEC, although our Ram had a really high FEC so we recently target drenched him.

@willbass2869 Жыл бұрын

@@SHANONisRegenerate totally unsolicited advice....cull that ram. Remove those weak genes from the breeding pool. Genetic resistance is only a part of successful small ruminant production but it is "a thing". If you do choose to get rid of the ram please, PLEASE don't sell him to someone. Slaughter it.

@SHANONisRegenerate Жыл бұрын

@@willbass2869 i drenched him for the first time in awhile, i think he was under drenched initially. His recent fecal egg count came back at zero which i was happy with. Ill be monitoring him and the rest of the flock with FEC regularly.

@johnmanera4097 8 ай бұрын

I commented perhaps a year ago wanting some advice and you replied which I appreciated. I inherited some Dorper X sheep, only 3, but they are more trouble than they’re worth. If I didn’t have various small orchards here, I would let them roam free. As it is I don’t want to have to buy electric fencing just for 3 sheep. I hope someone is interested in them as I have them for sale. I’m nearly giving them away at $50 AUD for 3 sheep. If I can offload them I’d like to get 1 or 2 cows but only if they are less trouble than the dorpers. Have you owned cows or have some knowledge about them and if they’re easier to keep, thanks for any advice. I live on 5 rural acres in Bridgetown, Australia.

@homesteadingwithPJ 8 ай бұрын

Many say that cows are easier, but sheep are more profitable. I wish I were near you, I'd buy those Dorper crosses and add them to my mixed flock. I have plans to add cows next year🤞

@johnmanera4097 8 ай бұрын

@@homesteadingwithPJ I have one neighbour who breeds Wiltshire sheep. He isn’t interested in them. I offered the local rural stock feed company guy the sheep for free and he wasn’t interested. I have a neighbour on one side who has cows but I don’t know that neighbour. I’m only interested in the cows as pets if I can get them. If they’re too expensive I won’t worry. The sheep are nice and fat but 6 years old. I don’t know how good they would be to eat. I don’t know anyone that could slaughter the sheep and they are really pets, albeit nuisances because as you know they eat fruit or nut tree leaves before they eat grass or weeds.

@shaynelammas9413 Жыл бұрын

You can make it work but you Will have put more money into it first tho Especially into your paddocks. You need far better grass then What you for Sure really. I plough it all up and reseed it all really.

@joyceday4030 Жыл бұрын

i have katahdins. live in NC. sheep are LOW maintainance and grass fed. give birth to twins often. mild manners and mild taste. worm them twice a year. no shots.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

This is great info! Thank you. I think we may do Katahdins when we get back into breeding sheep. We may try out a few different breeds before we jump back into owning breeding stock again. Thanks for sharing.

@shaynelammas9413 Жыл бұрын

You Said you want do rams but you will need better paddocks and maybe more land but what you need is money tho for the long term goal really. . I know you are only Small Scale homeStead but investing in a mobile Sheep System will be money well Spent tho . When get back to doing homesteading ram operation tho . But also try to buy more land if you tho

@RealtorMitchRussell Жыл бұрын

Shouldn’t have left Zion 😢

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

Well let's be fair. Utah was like the 5th choice for Zion 😅

@carolsmith5712 Жыл бұрын

consider going to kiko goats they would clear your land fast

@carolsmith5712 Жыл бұрын

goats would thrive on the pasture you have

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I may try those out! We grabbed some goat meat the other day to try out again and it honestly made a fantastic meal. We'll have to make some decisions soon, but goats would be a real asset at this stage of our land development. Thanks!

@frankfigoni7299 Жыл бұрын

Goats my friend. They will eat all your grass, small trees, and weeds and fertilize your land. Then you can reintroduce sheep once you have a healthy pasture.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

That's what everyone is saying. Maybe I'll just mob graze with a small herd of billies for a year, see what that does.

@erinevans4761 Жыл бұрын

Goats have parasite issues too.

@willbass2869 Жыл бұрын

Goats do poorly in a grass grazing environment. Goats are designed to BROWSE, especially woody plants above shoulder level. Parasites can't climb that high up, they prefer grass height where there is moisture and no drying winds to dedicate them

@leafinthewind5199 Жыл бұрын

Where did you move to?

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

North Carolina.

@noahriding5780 Жыл бұрын

It makes no sense to stop farming right before the famine hits.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

We're still doing other things. It was just time to take a step back from sheep breeding stock and move more slowly as we move forward. Everyone's journey is different.

@musicgroopie1 Жыл бұрын

That land needs goats and a tractor brush hog.

@homesteadingwithPJ Жыл бұрын

I've been wondering if I should just get 6-8 billy goats next year. I could raise them out for meat and maybe have a real pasture when its time to process them.