If you're just getting started with the Valais Blacknose Sheep, there's a lot to know!

Below are some of the resources, supplies, and equipment we needed!

Basic Sheep Care Supplies

Daily Care Essentials

Feed and Nutrition

• Quality hay (timothy, orchard grass, or mixed grass hay)

• Sheep-specific grain for lambs and nursing ewes (if supplementing)

• Sheep mineral mix - MUST be copper-free (sheep cannot process copper like goats or cattle)

• Salt block (plain white salt)

• Baking soda (free choice for digestive issues)

• Clean water buckets (5-gallon) with hooks to prevent head entrapment

• Feed scoop with measurements

Housing and Bedding

• Straw or low-quality hay for bedding (avoid wood shavings - they stick to fleece)

• Hay feeder designed to keep hay from falling into fleece

• Basic shelter (three-sided run-in shed minimum)

Health and First Aid

Basic Medical Kit

• Drenching tool (for administering liquid medications)

• Large syringes without needles (for smaller doses)

• Nutridrench or electrolyte supplement (for stress or illness)

• Wound spray (Blu Kote, Catron IV, or Swat for fly prevention)

• Wound powder (to stop bleeding)

• CD&T vaccine (for clostridium and tetanus - discuss schedule with vet)

Hoof Care

• Quality hoof trimmers (keep separate for biosecurity)

• Hoof pick for cleaning

• Topical antibiotic for hoof infections

• Small spray bottle for treating hoof rot

Parasite Management

• Dewormer (type and schedule determined by your vet and fecal testing)

• FAMACHA card for checking eyelid color (anemia indicator)

Maintenance Tools

Handling Equipment

• Gates or portable panels (for moving sheep without chasing)

• Halters (optional - for training)

• Catch pen or small enclosure for health checks

Grooming and Fleece

• Large sheets or tarps for collecting fleece after shearing

• Buckets for sorting wool (main fleece vs. waste wool)

• Broom for cleanup after shearing

Recommended Resources

Books

• Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep (comprehensive care manual)

Professional Services

• Local large animal veterinarian (establish relationship before emergencies)

• Professional shearer (book 6+ months ahead)

• Livestock hauler (if needed for transport)

What You DON'T Need

Many new sheep owners over-buy. You don't need:

• Fancy barns or heated housing

• Expensive feeding systems

• Goat or cattle products (wrong mineral content)

• Individual stalls (except for lambing or medical isolation)

Buying Tips

Where to buy supplies:

• Farm supply stores (Tractor Supply, local co-ops)

• Online livestock suppliers (Premier1, Jeffers, PBS Animal Health)

• Local feed mills (often better prices on hay and grain)

Critical Safety Notes

• Copper Toxicity: Sheep cannot process copper the way goats and cattle can. Even small amounts accumulate in their liver and cause fatal toxicity. Always use sheep-specific minerals and avoid any feed, supplements, or minerals designed for other species.

• Handling Stress: Sheep are prey animals with strong flight response. Never chase them - it causes extreme stress. Use gates, panels, and smaller spaces to guide them calmly. One hand under the chin to guide, one on the hindquarters to encourage forward movement.

• Post-Shearing Vulnerability: After shearing, sheep lose their waterproofing temporarily while lanolin (natural oil) redistributes through their coat. This takes about a week. If shearing in cold or wet weather, provide shelter access during this period.