Small sheep flock selling lambs

Local sale barns and livestock auctions, private buyers, restaurants and families who buy whole or half lambs, and some ethnic and holiday markets.

You sell lambs at market weight, by the head or by the pound, and sometimes breeding stock or wool. Income arrives in batches once or twice a year rather than monthly.

• Comfortable handling animals
• Basic animal health and lambing care
• Pasture and fence management
• Record keeping

• Check state animal health rules, such as premises registration and required ear tags for sheep
• If selling meat, check whether your state requires a licensed or inspected processor and how whole or half animal sales must be set up
• Predators such as coyotes and dogs, plan for strong fencing or guardian animals
• Check zoning, lease terms and any limits on livestock where your land is
• General liability and farm insurance, plus how farm income is taxed with the IRS
• Prices, feed and hay costs and weather can swing your results from year to year

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of ewes, fencing, shelter and whether you own or lease pasture. Feed and hay costs and weather can swing results from year to year.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,000, depending on flock size, lamb prices and where you sell. Sales may be seasonal, so results can vary a lot from year to year.

Check state animal health rules, such as premises registration and required ear tags. If selling meat, check whether your state requires a licensed or inspected processor. Also check zoning, lease terms and any local livestock limits.