How to Use Babydoll Southdown Sheep for Weed Control
Babydoll Southdown sheep are an heirloom breed from England. This variety doesn't grow taller than 24 inches without their wool and are prolific at eating the grasses and weeds that other livestock won't eat. The breed's light weight and smaller hooves reduce soil compaction where other mechanical weed control methods increase compaction. The sheep keep weeds and grasses clipped to within 1 to 2 inches. The manure produced by the animals benefits the desired plant species by increasing the nitrogen content of the soil. Babydoll Southdown sheep can be used to clean out weedy irrigation ditches, fence lines, vineyards, steep terrain and orchards. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pound in a 6-foot T-post at each corner of the area to be grazed by the sheep so that only 5 feet of the post remains above ground level.
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Tie a guide string to one of the corner posts and then wrap it around the other corner posts to create an outline of the fence line.
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Pound T-posts into the ground every 8 feet along the guide string between all of the corner posts.
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Unroll a 5-foot high roll of woven sheep wire along the entire perimeter of the fence posts.
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Go to the first corner post and lift up the sheep wire fencing. Attach it to the post using wire T-post clips every 6 inches along the length of the post. Cradle the post with the V-shaped clip and hook the hook-side of the clip over the fence wire on the left side of the post and the loop side over the fence wire on the right side of the post. Grip the looped side with fencing pliers and bend it down and around the fence wire. Repeat this process until the woven wire has been attached to each post along the entire length of the fence. Pull the wire tight between each post before fastening the clips.
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Place a watering trough near the closest water source inside the fence.
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Lay a mineral and salt lick block on the ground 20 feet from the watering trough within the pen.
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Stock the area with three to four sheep per acre for low-density requirements and seven to eight sheep per acre for high-density requirements.
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Check on the flock every day. Look for runny eyes and noses. Listen for irregular coughing. Look for runny stool. Look for droopy ears or low hanging heads. Look for rapid unnatural breathing patterns. Look at the overall disposition of the sheep and if any of them are showing signs of illness, call a veterinarian for treatment.
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Remove the sheep from the area when the weeds have been controlled. Irrigate the area and allow it to reestablish before restocking.
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Tips & Warnings
Raise a sheep dog with the sheep and keep the dog with the flock to help protect the sheep from predators.
Have a veterinarian deworm and vaccinate the sheep prior to turning them loose on the weedy area.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
