How to Raise Sheep for Wool

Did you know that wool is stronger than steel by weight and can resist fire? Sheep are primarily raised for their fleece, meat and milk. The fleece of sheep is manufactured for wool production. Certain types of sheep such as the Merino sheep are breed exclusively for high-end wool clothes. While there are various characteristics between the different breeds of sheep, the rearing process is similar for most sheep.

Things You'll Need

  • Hay
  • Grains
  • Organic phosphates
  • Chlorinated hydrocarbons
  • Shearing razor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the breed of sheep. Corrideale and Columbia breeds produce medium wool and lambs. Other breeds such as the Finnsheep breed produce large litters.

    • 2

      Let the sheep graze in the pasture. Sheep, unlike other animals, gain a majority of their food from the pasture. During the winter, supplement their food with hay or other grains from a silo. Three to four tons of hay is needed for 10 sheep.

    • 3

      Check the sheep for internal parasites. Take a fecal sample of your sheep for a veterinarian to analyze once a month.

    • 4

      Check for external parasites. If you find external parasites, spray on pesticides such as organic phosphates or chlorinated hydrocarbons help exterminate the parasites.

    • 5

      Shear the sheep twice a year using a shearing razor. That usually happens during early spring and late fall. Each sheep produces approximately seven pounds of fleece. Sheep shorn during late fall must have enough time for its fleece to grow back before winter. The quality of the wool decreases if shorn twice a year because the fibers will be shorter.