Sheep vs Goats for Small Farms: Which Is Easier and More Profitable?

Choosing between sheep vs goats shapes every aspect of small farm management, from infrastructure investment to daily labour and market returns. Both species offer viable livestock enterprises for Australian small holdings, but they differ fundamentally in feeding behaviour, fencing requirements, handling characteristics, and profit potential. This comprehensive comparison examines sheep vs goats across startup costs, maintenance demands, market opportunities, and suitability factors, providing a decision framework to help you select the species that matches your land, goals, and resources.

Why The Choice Between Sheep & Goats Is Important

Small farms operate under tight space, capital, and labour constraints that magnify the impact of livestock selection. A five-hectare property might comfortably support 15 to 25 sheep or 10 to 20 goats depending on pasture quality and management intensity. This limited carrying capacity means your species choice determines total enterprise scale and income potential for years.

The differences between sheep and goats extend beyond simple preference. Goats require substantially stronger fencing than sheep, potentially adding thousands of dollars to infrastructure costs. Sheep demand regular shearing and crutching labour that goats do not. Market access for goat meat differs regionally compared to sheep meat, affecting sale reliability and pricing. Feed costs, health management, handling difficulty, and terrain suitability all vary significantly between species.

Setting realistic expectations prevents expensive mistakes. Neither sheep nor goats guarantee profitability on small acreages without careful planning, quality stock, and market access. Both species require daily attention, veterinary care, and infrastructure investment. The question is not which species is universally better, but which aligns with your specific property conditions, available labour, capital, and market opportunities.

Sheep vs Goats Startup Costs: Land, Stock, Infrastructure

Initial investment requirements differ substantially between sheep and goat operations, influencing financial feasibility for new small farmers.

Animal Purchase Prices

Quality breeding ewes cost $200 to $400 per head depending on breed, age, and genetic merit in 2025 Australian markets. Meat breed ewes (Dorper, White Suffolk, Poll Dorset) typically range $250 to $350. Wool breed ewes (Merino, Corriedale) span $200 to $300. Specialty breeds command premium prices.

Breeding does (female goats) range from $300 to $600 per head for quality stock. Boer goats, the primary meat breed, average $350 to $500. Dairy goats (Saanen, Anglo-Nubian) cost $400 to $600 for productive does. Fibre goats (Angora, Cashmere) vary widely based on fleece quality and genetics.

Initial flock or herd size for small farms typically starts at 10 to 20 breeding females to establish viable numbers while managing risk. A starter sheep flock of 15 ewes costs $3,000 to $6,000. An equivalent goat herd requires $4,500 to $9,000.

Infrastructure Requirements

Yards and handling equipment: Sheep yards with basic forcing pens, gates, and loading ramps cost $2,000 to $5,000 for small-scale operations. Goat yards require similar investment but need higher panels and more secure gates, typically adding $500 to $1,000 to sheep yard costs.

Shelters: Simple three-sided shelters for lambing or kidding and weather protection range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on size and materials. Goats generally need more shelter than sheep due to lower cold and wet tolerance.

Fencing: Standard sheep netting with steel posts costs $3,000 to $6,000 per kilometre installed. Goat-proof fencing using closer post spacing and reinforced netting costs $4,500 to $8,000 per kilometre. This significant difference affects total property fencing budgets substantially.

Water infrastructure: Troughs, pipes, and float valves cost similar amounts for both species, typically $500 to $1,500 for small properties with existing water supply. Both require clean, readily accessible water year-round.

Veterinary and Startup Health Costs

Initial vaccinations, drenching, and ear tagging cost $15 to $25 per animal for sheep and $20 to $30 per goat. Veterinary consultation for herd health planning adds $200 to $500. Testing for diseases like Johne’s disease or CAE (caprine arthritis encephalitis in goats) increases initial costs but protects long-term herd health.

Cost Category	Sheep (15 breeding ewes)	Goats (15 breeding does)
Stock purchase	$3,000-$6,000	$4,500-$9,000
Basic yards & gates	$2,000-$5,000	$2,500-$6,000
Shelter (simple)	$1,000-$2,500	$1,500-$3,000
Fencing (1km)	$3,000-$6,000	$4,500-$8,000
Water infrastructure	$500-$1,500	$500-$1,500
Initial veterinary	$300-$500	$400-$600
Total startup range	$9,800-$21,500	$13,900-$28,100

These figures assume basic infrastructure on small properties. Costs scale with property size and quality expectations.

Feed Requirements and Grazing Behaviour

Fundamental differences in feeding behaviour influence pasture management, feed costs, and land suitability for each species.

Sheep Feeding Needs

Sheep are primarily grazers that prefer short, leafy pasture grasses. They graze close to the ground, creating tight, even swards when stocked appropriately. Adult ewes consume 2 to 3 per cent of body weight daily in dry matter, translating to roughly 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms daily for 50 to 70-kilogram ewes.

Pasture quality impact: Sheep perform best on improved pastures with ryegrass, clover, or medic species. They tolerate native pastures adequately but growth rates and production decline on poor-quality feed. Weed species and rank growth reduce grazing efficiency.

Supplement requirements: Sheep need supplementary feeding during drought, winter feed gaps, or pregnancy and lactation periods. Hay costs $200 to $350 per tonne. Grain supplements (barley, oats) cost $300 to $450 per tonne. A breeding ewe might require $50 to $100 worth of supplements annually in typical years, more during droughts.

Goat Feeding Needs

Goats are natural browsers that prefer woody plants, shrubs, and tree foliage over ground-level grasses. They select the most nutritious plant parts available, showing strong preferences for leaves, bark, and browse material. This behaviour makes them excellent for scrub and weed control but less efficient on open pasture.

Browsers versus grazers: Goats eat up (reaching for overhead vegetation) while sheep eat down (grazing ground-level plants). Goats thrive on rough, scrubby terrain unsuitable for sheep. They consume similar daily feed quantities to sheep relative to body weight but extract more nutrition from woody material and coarse fodder.

Supplement and hay differences: Goats need higher-quality hay than sheep, preferring lucerne or meadow hay to cereal straw. They waste more feed through selective eating and contamination. Goat grain supplements follow similar costs to sheep but may require higher protein content, particularly for dairy goats.

Feed Conversion and Seasonal Impact

Winter feed costs: Both species require supplementary feeding during winter in southern Australia where pasture growth stalls. Sheep handle cold better and maintain condition with moderate supplements. Goats lose condition faster in cold, wet conditions and need more shelter and feed to maintain body weight through winter.

Drought considerations: Goats browse drought-tolerant woody species sheep cannot utilise, potentially reducing purchased feed costs during dry periods. However, severe drought affects both species equally, requiring full hand feeding. Sheep generally cope better with prolonged poor nutrition than goats, which decline rapidly without adequate feed.

Feed costs represent the largest ongoing expense for both species. Annual feed and supplement costs per breeding animal typically range from $80 to $150 for sheep and $100 to $180 for goats depending on pasture quality and seasonal conditions.

Fencing and Containment of Sheep vs Goats

Fencing represents one of the most significant differences between sheep and goat management, heavily influencing infrastructure budgets.

Standard Sheep Fencing

Sheep fencing uses wire netting (typically 90cm to 100cm height) with 7 to 11 horizontal wires and vertical stays at 15cm spacing. Posts space 4 to 5 metres apart for internal fencing. Sheep respect most netting fences adequately and rarely challenge well-maintained boundaries.

Standard materials include:

• Star pickets or timber posts every 4-5 metres
• Wire mesh netting (90-100cm height)
• Plain wire top and bottom for strain
• Gates at 3.5 to 4 metre widths

Sheep occasionally push under loose bottom wires or through gaps near gates, but deliberate fence-breaking is uncommon except during nutritional stress or when rams detect ewes in season beyond fences.

Goat-Specific Challenges

Goats actively test fences, climb mesh, squeeze through small gaps, and persistently escape inadequate containment. They jump heights that stop sheep easily and use their intelligence to solve fence weaknesses. This behaviour necessitates stronger, taller, more secure fencing.

Effective goat fencing requires:

• Posts every 3 to 4 metres maximum (closer than sheep)
• Wire netting at least 120cm high (taller than sheep)
• Closer vertical stay spacing (10-12cm) to prevent head insertion
• Buried bottom wire or mesh to prevent crawling under
• Secure, gap-free gate installation with strong latches
• Regular inspection and immediate repair of damage

The difference in post spacing alone increases material and labour costs by 20 to 30 per cent compared to sheep fencing. Taller, heavier-gauge mesh adds further expense. Many small farmers underestimate goat fencing requirements and face ongoing escape problems.

Investment Comparison

For a 5-hectare property requiring 1.5 kilometres of internal subdivision:

• Sheep fencing: $4,500 to $9,000 installed
• Goat fencing: $6,750 to $12,000 installed

This $2,000 to $3,000 difference significantly affects startup budgets and ongoing expansion costs.

Labour and Handling of Sheep vs Goats

Day-to-day livestock management demands vary substantially between sheep and goats, affecting suitability for time-constrained farmers.

Sheep Handling

Sheep mob together naturally and move predictably when mustered, making them relatively straightforward to handle once basic techniques are learned. Sheep respond to pressure and release, flowing through yards and gates with minimal fuss when facilities are well-designed.

Ease of mustering: Sheep follow leaders through gates and races. Using dogs or strategic positioning, one or two people can muster and handle moderate-sized flocks efficiently. Sheep rarely challenge handlers physically except when cornered or during ram aggression periods.

Handling temperament: Sheep display flocking instinct that simplifies group management. Individual animals remain calm when in groups but panic when isolated. Quiet, patient handling produces better outcomes than rushing or noise.

Routine tasks: Sheep require regular shearing (annually or twice annually depending on breed), crutching (removing wool around tail and udder), and hoof trimming in wet conditions. Shearing costs $4 to $8 per head for professional service. Crutching costs $2 to $4 per head. These tasks require either learning skills or hiring contractors.

Goat Handling

Goats exhibit independent temperament and test boundaries constantly. They resist herding, scatter when pressured, and require more patient handling than sheep. Individual goats develop distinct personalities and preferences, complicating uniform management.

Independent temperament: Goats do not mob like sheep. They move individually, exploring and testing rather than following. Mustering goats takes more time and patience, often requiring feed incentives or familiar routines rather than pressure.

Handling difficulty: Goats resist restraint more actively than sheep, jumping, kicking, and using their flexibility to escape handling. Horned goats present injury risks to handlers and other animals. Larger buck goats can be aggressive during breeding season.

Routine tasks: Goats require regular hoof trimming (every 6 to 12 weeks) more critically than sheep due to faster growth rates. Many goat keepers dehorn kids at young ages to reduce injury risk, adding labour and animal welfare considerations. Dairy goats need twice-daily milking, creating significant ongoing labour commitments that meat or fibre goats do not require.

Overall, sheep suit time-limited farmers better than goats. Goats reward patient, hands-on management but frustrate those expecting low-maintenance livestock.

Health and Disease Considerations for Sheep vs Goats

Both species face parasites and diseases requiring regular management, with some species-specific vulnerabilities affecting overall care complexity.

Common Health Issues

Internal parasites (worms): Both sheep and goats suffer from gastrointestinal nematodes that reduce growth, lower production, and cause deaths in severe cases. Goats develop worm resistance more slowly than sheep and require more frequent drenching. They also show clinical signs at lower worm burdens than sheep, making them more vulnerable to parasite-related production losses.

Footrot: Bacterial infection causing lameness affects both species, particularly in wet conditions. Sheep and goats both require hoof inspection, trimming, and treatment with footbaths or antibiotic sprays. Wet coastal areas and poorly drained paddocks increase footrot risk substantially for both species.

Coccidiosis: Protozoal infection affecting young animals causes scouring and deaths. Both lambs and kids are susceptible, requiring clean bedding, good nutrition, and sometimes preventative medication during weaning stress periods.

Species-Specific Vulnerabilities

Sheep concerns: Flystrike (blowfly larvae infestation) affects sheep heavily in humid areas, requiring preventative treatments and vigilant monitoring. Sheep also suffer from lice infestations requiring treatment. Wool-related issues like dags and breech strike demand regular crutching.

Goat concerns: Goats suffer more severely from worms than sheep at equivalent burdens. They also show greater susceptibility to respiratory diseases and cold, wet stress. Goat kids have higher mortality rates than lambs, particularly in first-time breeders. Dairy goats face mastitis risks similar to dairy cattle.

Vaccination and Routine Care

Both species require annual vaccination against clostridial diseases (5-in-1 or 7-in-1 vaccines costing $3 to $5 per dose). Regular drenching for worms costs $2 to $5 per treatment. Goats typically need drenching every 4 to 8 weeks while sheep extend to 8 to 12 weeks depending on conditions and drench resistance status.

Annual health costs per breeding animal average $30 to $50 for sheep and $40 to $65 for goats, reflecting goats’ higher intervention requirements.

Sheep vs Goats Reproduction and Flock or Herd Management

Breeding success and offspring survival directly influence enterprise profitability for both species.

Breeding Cycles

Sheep: Most sheep breeds show seasonal breeding, coming into heat during shortening day length (autumn). Ewes cycle every 17 days during breeding season. Pregnancy lasts approximately 147 days (5 months). Lambing occurs in late winter to spring, timing offspring arrival with improving pasture.

Goats: Goats also show seasonal breeding triggered by day length, though some breeds cycle year-round in tropical regions. Does cycle every 18 to 21 days when in season. Pregnancy lasts approximately 150 days (5 months). Kidding timing follows similar patterns to lambing but can be more flexible in northern Australia.

Offspring Management

Lambing: Ewes typically produce singles, twins, or occasionally triplets. Lamb survival rates exceed 85 per cent in well-managed flocks with good nutrition and shelter. Ewes show strong maternal instinct and require minimal assistance with normal births. Lambs reach sale weight (30 to 50 kilograms) in 4 to 6 months.

Kidding: Does commonly produce twins, with triplets frequent in some breeds. Kid survival rates range from 70 to 85 per cent, with higher mortality than lambs due to birth complications and predation. First-time mothers often need assistance. Kids reach sale weight (25 to 40 kilograms) in 4 to 7 months depending on genetics and nutrition.

Weaning and Growth Rates

Both species wean offspring at 8 to 12 weeks old. Sheep generally show better weaning weights and growth rates on straight pasture diets. Goat kids benefit from high-quality browse and supplements to achieve commercial weights. Slower goat growth extends time to sale, increasing costs and reducing cash flow compared to sheep.

Sheep vs Goats Market Prices and Profit Potential

Market returns determine enterprise viability and differ significantly between sheep and goat products.

Sheep Markets

Meat (lamb and mutton): Trade lamb prices (18 to 22 kilogram carcases) average $7 to $10 per kilogram carcase weight in 2025 Australian markets, varying seasonally and by quality. A 45-kilogram live lamb yielding a 22-kilogram carcase returns $155 to $220. Mutton (older sheep) brings lower prices, typically $3 to $5 per kilogram carcase weight.

Wool: Merino wool prices fluctuate from $10 to $20 per kilogram greasy depending on quality and market conditions. A productive Merino ewe produces 4 to 6 kilograms annually, returning $40 to $120 in wool income plus meat value. Crossbred wool brings $3 to $8 per kilogram. Shearing costs reduce net wool returns by $5 to $10 per head annually.

Goat Markets

Meat (chevon): Goat meat prices average $6 to $9 per kilogram carcase weight, slightly lower than lamb. A 40-kilogram live goat yielding an 18-kilogram carcase returns $110 to $160. Market access for goats is less developed than sheep in many Australian regions, potentially limiting sale opportunities and price realisation.

Dairy products: Goat milk wholesales for $1.50 to $2.50 per litre. A productive dairy doe yields 600 to 900 litres per lactation, generating $900 to $2,250 in milk income. Value-added products (cheese, yoghurt) increase returns substantially but demand skills, equipment, and market development. Dairy goat enterprises require twice-daily milking labour that many small farmers cannot sustain.

Fibre (Angora mohair, Cashmere): Mohair prices range from $15 to $35 per kilogram depending on quality and market conditions. Angora goats produce 3 to 5 kilograms annually. Cashmere brings $25 to $60 per kilogram but goats produce only 100 to 300 grams annually, limiting total returns. Fibre goat enterprises suit specific niches and require market connections.

Profit Comparison

A small sheep flock (15 breeding ewes) producing 20 lambs annually at market average prices generates:

• Gross income: $3,100 to $4,400 (meat only)
• Less costs (feed, health, shearing): $1,800 to $2,500
• Net return: $1,300 to $1,900 annually

An equivalent goat herd (15 does) producing 25 kids annually generates:

• Gross income: $2,750 to $4,000 (meat only)
• Less costs (feed, health): $2,000 to $3,000
• Net return: $750 to $1,000 annually

These figures illustrate that small-scale meat-focused enterprises in both species generate modest returns on labour and capital. Profitability improves with scale, market access, and value-added production.

Sheep vs Goats Terrain, Climate and Suitability

Environmental conditions heavily influence which species performs better on individual properties.

Steep, Scrubby Land

Goats excel on rough, steep terrain that challenges sheep. Their agility, browsing habit, and preference for woody vegetation make them ideal for clearing scrub and managing land unsuitable for intensive grazing. Properties with significant slope, rock outcrops, and native vegetation favour goats.

Sheep prefer flatter terrain with established pasture. They struggle on steep slopes and show limited interest in woody browse. Properties requiring vegetation clearing or managing regrowth suit goats better than sheep.

Drought Tolerance

Both species suffer during prolonged drought requiring full hand feeding. Goats’ browsing ability provides marginal advantage in early drought stages when browse remains available after grass fails. Sheep’s lower feed quality requirements and better fat reserves provide advantage during severe, extended droughts.

Neither species is drought-proof. Both require destocking, agistment, or expensive feeding during major dry periods.

Wet Areas and Foot Problems

Sheep tolerate wet conditions better than goats overall, though both species suffer footrot in persistently damp environments. Goats show marked production decline in cold, wet climates and need more shelter than sheep. Coastal properties with high rainfall and humidity suit sheep better than goats.

Properties in wet regions should provide excellent drainage, shelters, and raised dry areas. Even with infrastructure, goats struggle in climates with extended wet periods.

Regional Recommendations

Queensland: Northern and central Queensland’s subtropical and tropical climates suit goats well, particularly Boer goats for meat. Browse availability and warm temperatures support good performance. Sheep suit southern Queensland’s temperate zone adequately.

New South Wales: Coastal and tablelands areas suit both species depending on specific site conditions. Sheep dominate cooler, higher-rainfall tablelands. Goats perform well in western slopes and drier inland areas.

South Australia: Drier inland areas suit both species with appropriate management. Goats handle arid zones marginally better through superior browsing ability. Sheep dominate higher-rainfall zones.

Western Australia: Southern agricultural areas suit sheep well on improved pastures. Northern regions favour goats in rangeland operations. Specific property conditions determine suitability more than state-level patterns.

Sheep vs Goats Decision Framework

Systematic assessment of your situation reveals which species aligns with your farm better than assumptions or preference alone.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Primary purpose clarity: Determine whether you seek commercial profit, hobby income, self-sufficiency meat production, or land management outcomes. Commercial operations require scale and market access favouring one species. Hobby farms can succeed with either based on personal interest.

Long-term breeding intentions: Serious breeding enterprises demand genetic knowledge, recording systems, and market connections. Casual producers selling excess offspring need simpler approaches. Goats require more active breeding management than sheep due to seasonal challenges and kidding intervention needs.

Step 2: Assess Your Land

Pasture type and quality: Improved pastures with ryegrass and clover favour sheep. Native pastures or scrubby regrowth favour goats. Measure actual carrying capacity rather than assuming stocking rates.

Slope and terrain: Steep properties with rock and scrub suit goats. Flat to gently rolling cleared land suits sheep. Your property’s topography influences species success significantly.

Shelter and facilities: Adequate shelter and secure yards suit either species. Properties lacking infrastructure need budget allocations favouring the less demanding species (sheep) initially.

Water reliability: Both species need reliable clean water. Properties with marginal water should minimise stock numbers regardless of species.

Step 3: Evaluate Costs and Cash Flow

Startup capital available: Goat enterprises require 30 to 40 per cent higher startup investment than sheep primarily due to fencing. Limited capital favours sheep if infrastructure is minimal.

Ongoing feed budgets: Annual feed costs run similar between species on equivalent pasture but goats demand higher-quality supplements. Drought reserves and supplement storage matter for both species.

Labour availability: Sheep suit time-limited farmers better than goats. Goats reward daily interaction but frustrate occasional managers. Assess realistic labour availability honestly.

Step 4: Risk Tolerance

Market volatility: Sheep have more established, liquid markets than goats in most Australian regions. Goat markets are developing but remain thinner and more variable. Risk-averse farmers favour sheep.

Health and mortality: Goat kids show higher mortality than lambs. First-time farmers experience steeper learning curves with goats. Sheep offer more forgiving management for beginners.

Predation and pests: Both species face fox, dog, and cat predation. Goats attract more predator attention due to longer kidding season and noisier offspring. Properties with known predator pressure need robust control programs for either species.

Simple Scoring Model

Rate your property and goals from 1 (poor fit) to 5 (excellent fit) for each factor:

Factor	Sheep Score	Goat Score
Flat, improved pasture	5	2
Steep, scrubby terrain	2	5
Limited fencing budget	5	2
Abundant labour time	3	5
Limited handling experience	5	2
Local meat market access	5	3
Dairy product interest	1	5
Wool income interest	5	1
Drought-prone climate	3	4
Wet, humid climate	4	2

Total your scores. Higher scores indicate better suitability. This framework reveals which species matches your specific situation rather than general preference.

Case Examples of Sheep vs Goats

Real-world context demonstrates how property conditions determine optimal species choice.

Small Coastal NSW Farm

A 5-hectare coastal property near Bega receives 800mm annual rainfall and features gently rolling pastures with some remnant trees. Owners seek supplementary hobby income while maintaining landscape values.

Assessment: Reliable rainfall supports good pasture growth favouring grazing livestock. Humidity and wet periods create footrot and flystrike risk. Level terrain suits sheep. Local lamb markets through saleyards provide reliable pricing. Established sheep industry infrastructure (shearers, vets) operates regionally.

Recommendation: Sheep suit this property better than goats. Lower fencing costs, better climate fit, and superior market access favour sheep. A small flock of 15 to 20 ewes producing lambs for local butcher or saleyard sale provides hobby income without excessive labour.

Dryland SA Property

A 20-hectare property near Burra in mid-north South Australia receives 400mm annual rainfall with high summer temperatures. Property features steep rocky areas with native scrub regeneration and limited improved pasture. Owners live on-site full-time.

Assessment: Low rainfall limits carrying capacity for both species. Steep terrain with browse suits goats’ natural behaviour. Available daily labour enables goat handling. Limited sheep infrastructure and distant shearing services increase sheep management costs. Growing ethnic meat markets in Adelaide provide goat meat outlet.

Recommendation: Goats suit this property better than sheep. Terrain, vegetation type, and available labour favour goats despite higher fencing costs. A starter herd of 15 to 20 does breeding Boer-cross kids for ethnic meat markets utilises property resources effectively while providing scrub control benefits.

FAQs

Conclusion

The sheep versus goat decision depends on matching species characteristics to your property conditions, available resources, and enterprise goals. Sheep suit flat to gently rolling improved pastures, limited budgets, established market access, and time-constrained management. Goats suit steep rough terrain, brushy vegetation, patient daily handlers, and niche market development.

Neither species guarantees success or suits every situation. Both require infrastructure investment, daily care, market access, and management skill. The best choice for your farm comes from honest assessment of your land, labour, capital, and goals rather than following general recommendations or personal preference alone.

Use the decision framework provided to evaluate your specific situation systematically. Consider starting small with either species to learn management skills before committing to larger enterprises. Successful livestock farming rewards planning, realistic expectations, and species selection matching actual property capabilities rather than aspirational goals.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It does not constitute financial, livestock management, or professional advice. Enterprise suitability varies by climate, land, regulations, and personal capability. Consult qualified agricultural professionals before making decisions.