Not So Wolly

While taking A634- Livestock Production Systems, I learned about the benefits of multi-specie grazing.  This method seemed to fit our operation well for several reasons:
1) Allows for enhanced range management by utilizing all types of vegetation available
2) Improves options for sustainable organic production
3) Provides for smaller frame animal options for our small scale operation

Sheep caught our attention because they are easy to handle and prefer forbs.  We have several forbs that can be utilized by sheep; i.e. kochia. In researching sheep breeds, hair sheep were of interest because they do not produce wool and therefore don't need to be sheared.  This was important because my research showed that the price of wool doesn't cover the cost of shearing; a major issue.  Katahdin is is a breed of hair sheep, which have been breed for meat production, and  seemed fitting to our operation for several reasons:
1) Adapted to a variety of climates
2) Can breed out of season
3) Easy care and handling
4) Resistant to internal parasites

Last summer, we located a  Katahdin breeder in La Junta, CO and purchased a ram and a ewe.  This spring, the ewe had her first lamb; unassisted, so we were very pleased! 

We need to develop better fencing for the sheep.  Currently, we only have two small pens to hold the sheep.  We have purchased a portable electric fencing system to make small temporary pens.  This was a good idea, but the reality has been that it hasn't contained the sheep well.  They slip under the bottom wire without getting shocked. I'm told this could be from a variety of reasons, i.e. too low of joule rating, poor ground, lack of trained animals, etc.???



Step-in posts with poly wire and reel system




Therefore, to get the animals out in a more natural grazing setting, and to utilize their grazing in the management of weeds, we stake them out during the day.  Actually, we only stake the ewe out, and the ram and the lamb stay in a close proximity (for now).  Of course, we will have to find a more permanent solution that will accommodate increased numbers of sheep; possibly a high-tensile or woven wire perimeter fence?

For the Birds

Part of our sustainable organic production plan involve chickens; both laying hens for eggs and broilers for meat production. 

We are not very serious about egg production.  We have six free range hens that produce enough for our family use.  We have an interest in producing more eggs, but we don't have a local market.  I'm sure we could work toward developing some limited local sales, but currently there is nothing established.



Free Ranging hens


The majority of our efforts will lie with the meat birds.  We purchased 50 (they sent 52) Cornish-cross chicks in April.  We decided on the Cornish-cross after going with a more dual-purpose breed in the past (White Rocks) and finding that they just took too long to mature.  The longer maturity time resulted in more feed, more work and more loss to predators.  So this year we are trying the Cornish-cross for the first time.   We have purchased our chicks from Estes Hatchery in the past, and we did again this year.  They are relatively near us (Springfield, MO) and always have a good selection of birds.  This year all our chicks arrived alive and all 52 are still healthy and growing good.

We keep them in a confined area until they are old enough to free range.  This year we are going to try a portable cage to help grow the chickens.  The portable cage will assist with containing them so we can better manage and protect them.  Predators have been a problem in the past.  We also hope to capitalize on the many benefits this rotational pasture method offers: healthy chickens, pest management, pasture improvement and improved marketability.

Keeping watch on the baby chicks

By moving the pen on a daily basis, chickens will experience a clean and fresh environment each day.  This helps ensure a healthy natural product.  Also, the chickens can be moved to specific areas to ensure manure is broken up or near a garden to control insects.  This may prove beneficial this year as experts are saying there will be severe grasshopper infestations.




1.25" PVC used to construct 10x20' portable pen

The pen will be used only during the day as it will not protect against nighttime predators.  We will be using a metal structure for nighttime confinement, as we have used in the past. 

Chicks transitioning to the outdoors and the pen