caring for sheep please help?

If you haven't raised meat animals yet, this can be kind of tough on kids when it comes time for auction and slaughter. Make sure you are starting on a project that isn't going to have you end up in tears at the end of fair (I've seen some of the kids who have been raising them for years still get upset when it's time to load the trailers at the end of the week). If you think this may be hard for you, you can also consider a wool breed or give one of the breeding or non-market sheep projects a try.

Have you had experience with showmanship? With many of the larger animal projects, you will need to learn more about handling, and showmanship is a large part of it. This can be a great learning experience for you and really help build confidence with showing any of your other projects.

You do need to make a decision, soon, though, because most of the 4-H kids in our area already have their lamb(s) or have their reservations in. For market lambs, nutrition is key to getting a bigger, better animal and showing better. You'll be at an advantage if you get started with a market lamb project now (and lambing season is in full swing - you can get a better selection now than you will in another month).

As far as costs, you're looking at feed (replacer formula for bottle babies and lamb grower at about $12-14 per bag for pellets), plus grazing, hay and basic vet care (coccidiosis preventative, CDT vaccines). Overall, sheep are much less expensive to raise than pigs, cows or a horse project, but they do cost more (and are more involved) than a rabbit, poultry or pocket pet project.

Make sure your 4-H club has a sheep advisor, or you may also have to plan on joining another club that offers sheep projects. Your advisor will work with you on handling, husbandry info, and will probably even have grooming supplies and shears on hand for show preparation. Talk to other sheep 4-Hers and weigh your pros and cons. I know lots of kids that really enjoy the projects and benefit from the program, but my own kids won't show our sheep (I have to show open) and they're happy just showing rabbits and poultry.

Hope this helps and good luck! 4-H is a great organization and if you stay active with it, you can also qualify for college scholarships down the road.