Sheep vs Goats: Which Should You Raise?

One of the most common questions new farmers ask is whether they should raise sheep or goats. Both animals have their merits, and the right choice depends on your goals, land, and lifestyle. This comprehensive guide compares every aspect to help you decide.

Quick Comparison Table

Factor	Sheep	Goats
Temperament	Calm, flock-oriented	Curious, independent
Fencing needs	Moderate	High (escape artists)
Grazing style	Grass grazers	Brush/weed browsers
Shelter needs	Minimal	Moderate
Primary products	Wool, meat, milk	Milk, meat, fiber
Social needs	Strong flock instinct	Herd animals but independent
Lifespan	10-12 years	12-15 years

Temperament and Behavior

Sheep Behavior

Sheep are calm, quiet animals with a strong flocking instinct. They prefer to stay together and follow a leader, making them easier to manage as a group. Key traits include:

• Flock mentality: Sheep feel stressed when isolated
• Quiet nature: Less vocal than goats
• Predictable: They tend to follow routines
• Cautious: More wary of new situations

Goat Behavior

Goats are intelligent, curious, and independent thinkers. They’re known for their problem-solving abilities and mischievous personalities:

• Curious explorers: They investigate everything
• Escape artists: Notorious for finding weak spots in fencing
• Vocal: Can be quite loud, especially dairy breeds
• Playful: More interactive with humans
• Hierarchical: Establish clear pecking orders

Verdict: If you want calm, predictable animals, choose sheep. If you enjoy interactive, entertaining livestock, goats may be more your style.

Land and Fencing Requirements

Sheep Land Needs

• Pasture: 2-4 sheep per acre on good pasture
• Grazing style: Prefer short grass, graze close to the ground
• Fencing: Standard 4-foot woven wire works well
• Terrain: Do well on flat to rolling pastures

Goat Land Needs

• Pasture: 4-8 goats per acre (they eat less grass)
• Grazing style: Browsers—prefer brush, weeds, and leaves
• Fencing: Require 5-foot fencing minimum; electric recommended
• Terrain: Excel on rough, brushy, or hilly land

Verdict: Have brushy land to clear? Get goats. Have grassy pastures? Sheep are your answer.

Shelter and Housing

Sheep Shelter

Sheep are remarkably hardy and need minimal shelter:

• Three-sided shelter sufficient in most climates
• Good ventilation critical (prevents respiratory issues)
• 15-20 square feet per sheep
• Wool provides natural insulation

Goat Shelter

Goats are less tolerant of wet and cold:

• Need dry shelter; hate getting wet
• Require more protection from elements
• 15-20 square feet per goat
• Draft-free but well-ventilated

Verdict: Sheep are lower maintenance for shelter; goats need more protection from weather.

Feed and Nutrition

Feeding Sheep

• Primary diet: Pasture grass and hay
• Require less diverse diet
• Prone to obesity if overfed grain
• Critical: Need sheep-specific minerals (copper is toxic to sheep!)

Feeding Goats

• Primary diet: Browse (brush, leaves, bark) plus hay
• Need more variety in diet
• Higher metabolism requires more feed
• Can tolerate copper; need it in their diet

Verdict: Sheep are simpler to feed; goats need more dietary variety but can eat things sheep cannot.

Health Considerations

Common Sheep Health Issues

• Internal parasites (significant concern)
• Foot rot (especially in wet climates)
• Wool-related issues (shearing needed for wool breeds)
• Flystrike in warm climates

Common Goat Health Issues

• Internal parasites (also a major concern)
• Hoof issues
• Pneumonia (especially when wet/cold)
• More prone to mineral deficiencies

Verdict: Both require similar parasite management. Sheep with wool need shearing; goats need better weather protection.

Profitability and Products

Sheep Products

• Meat: Lamb commands premium prices
• Wool: Additional income stream (breed dependent)
• Milk: Sheep milk is valuable but less common
• Market: Strong demand for lamb, especially ethnic markets

Goat Products

• Milk: Goat dairy is growing rapidly
• Meat: Goat meat (chevon) demand is increasing
• Fiber: Angora and cashmere goats produce valuable fiber
• Market: Strong ethnic market; growing domestic demand

Verdict: Both can be profitable. Dairy is easier with goats; wool adds income with sheep. Market demand varies by region.

Cost Comparison

Startup Costs

Item	Sheep	Goats
Animals (5-10 head)	$750-2,500	$1,000-3,000
Fencing (1 acre)	$1,500-2,500	$2,000-3,500
Shelter	$500-1,500	$1,000-2,000
Equipment	$500-1,000	$500-1,000

Annual Costs Per Animal

• Sheep: $150-250 (feed, healthcare, shearing)
• Goats: $200-350 (higher feed costs, no shearing)

Verdict: Sheep typically have lower startup and ongoing costs.

Best Breeds for Beginners

Beginner-Friendly Sheep

• Katahdin: Hair sheep, no shearing needed
• Dorper: Hardy meat breed
• Shetland: Small, dual-purpose, good temperament

Beginner-Friendly Goats

• Nigerian Dwarf: Small, friendly, good milk
• Kiko: Hardy meat breed, low maintenance
• LaMancha: Calm dairy breed

Who Should Choose Sheep?

Sheep are ideal if you:

• Have grassy pastures
• Want lower-maintenance animals
• Prefer calm, quiet livestock
• Are interested in wool production
• Don’t want to deal with escape artists
• Have a good lamb market nearby

Who Should Choose Goats?

Goats are ideal if you:

• Have brushy or weedy land to clear
• Want interactive, personable animals
• Are interested in dairy production
• Have experience with livestock
• Can invest in proper fencing
• Enjoy animals with personality

Can You Raise Both?

Yes! Many farmers successfully raise sheep and goats together. Considerations:

• Keep separate mineral feeders (copper toxicity for sheep)
• Goats often become flock leaders
• Different parasite treatments may be needed
• Both benefit from companion animals

Making Your Decision

1. Assess your land: Grassy vs. brushy terrain often decides the question
2. Consider your goals: Meat, milk, wool, or land clearing?
3. Evaluate your personality: Do you want calm or entertaining animals?
4. Check local markets: What sells well in your area?
5. Visit farms: Meet both species before deciding

Conclusion

There’s no wrong answer—both sheep and goats make excellent small farm livestock. Sheep offer simplicity and calm demeanor, while goats bring personality and versatility. Many farmers start with one species and later add the other.

Ready to find breeders? Browse our sheep directory or find goat breeders in your area.

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Still undecided? Contact local breeders in your area to visit their farms and meet both species in person.