Sheep Care Guide: Wool, Meat & Dairy Breeds, Housing & Operating Cost (2026)

A comprehensive guide to sheep ownership for wool, meat, or dairy production. Covers breed selection, flock management, housing requirements, health programs, and annual costs for small-scale sheep operations.

Adult sheep consume 3–4 lbs of hay per 100 lbs of body weight daily, or 4–6 lbs per sheep. A flock of 10 sheep requires 40–60 lbs of hay daily ($2,000–3,000 annually at $8–10 per bale). Grain supplementation ($0.25–0.50 per sheep daily) increases lamb growth and milk production.

Hoof trimming every 6–8 weeks ($25–50 per visit) prevents lameness and foot rot. Wool sheep require shearing annually; dairy breeds need milking care. Docking (tail removal) and castration are standard management practices.

A breeding ewe (2–4 years old) costs $150–400; lambs (meat) $50–150 each. Annual flock costs: feed ($300–600 per ewe), veterinary/parasite control ($50–150), shearing ($100–200 per year for a small flock), housing maintenance ($200), and miscellaneous ($100–200).