Goats and sheep together

[roujesky]

I am thinking about raising some Boer goats and Dorper sheep. Are there any problems raising both in the same pasture? Anything I should look out for?

thanks

[weldingisfun]

Sure is. Copper and medication dosages. Otherwise, shouldn't be a problem

[RichZ]

As Welding said, copper is the problem. You can't feed sheep goat feed, because copper is toxic to them, and goats need copper. You can feed goats sheep feed, though. I do it occasionally, but when I do, I feed my goats a mineral supplement to get their copper up.

In the summer, I often put my bucks and rams out in the same pasture, and at that time, I don't give them grain, and they're fine. They even get along together, but I've heard of problems on other farms running bucks and rams together.

So, it can be done, but you have to manage it carefully.

[farmboy12]

Really? We've fed our goats sheep feed, for almost a month, and nothing happened with them? No extra supplements, either.


Kyle

[jimmyj]

We've been keeping Dorset and Border Leicester sheep with goats for almost 10 years. We give them "mixed stock" minerals, sheep feed and hay. Everybody is happy and healty. No problems with breeding, illness or anything.

[weldingisfun]

Farmboy12, check the copper content of the feed you are using. http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/coppertox.html
This may explain things more clearly.

[RichZ]

Farmboy, your goats may be doing OK on sheep feed, but if you started giving them goat feed, you'll probably notice that their coats are more shiney and thicker and their feet are in even better shape than they may be now. Goats will survive on sheep feed, but they will almost certainly do better on goat feed, because of the copper. Sheep feed is usally cheaper than goat feed, and I have sometimes used it for my goats as well as sheep. I definately noticed a difference when I put my goats back on goat feed.

[farmboy12]

We've used goat feed forever except that one instance almost a year ago. I didn't notice any change. Also, sheep food is more expensive by about $2 in most places.


Kyle

[RichZ]

That's interesting. Here in upstate New York, goat feed is more expensive than sheep feed.

[weldingisfun]

Supply and demand determines pricing 9 times out of 10.