Emola Farm buys and sells sheep year round at our farm in Mabank, Texas. We deal primarily in hair sheep — Barbados and blackbelly types — and we handle ewes, rams, and lambs. Inventory changes daily and weekly, so call 903-880-0124 for what is on the farm today. We can send you a photo.
Whether you need a single animal, a starter flock, or a whole herd, tell us and we will do what we can. We have been buying and selling livestock in East Texas for more than 37 years.
Hair Sheep vs. Wool Sheep
If you are new to sheep in Texas, this is the distinction that matters most, and it decides most of what follows.
Wool sheep grow a fleece that has to be sheared, usually once a year. Shearing costs money, takes skill, and in much of Texas the wool is worth less than what it costs to remove it. An unsheared wool sheep in a Texas summer is a serious welfare problem.
Hair sheep shed their coat naturally. No shearing, no crutching, no annual bill and no scramble to find a shearer. They also tend to be more heat tolerant and more parasite resistant than wool breeds, which counts for a lot in this climate.
For most Texas buyers — meat, brush control, or a small flock on a few acres — hair sheep are the practical answer. That is what we handle.
Sheep We Carry
Barbados Sheep
The sheep we are best known for. Tan or brown bodies with a black belly and black facial markings. Hardy, heat tolerant, good mothers, and low maintenance. See our Barbados sheep page.
American Blackbelly Sheep
Similar coloring, but the rams carry large, sweeping horns. These are the animals most Texas hunting ranches are after, and the distinction between these and true Barbados Blackbelly trips up a lot of buyers. See the full explanation of the difference.
Ewes, Rams, and Lambs
We handle all three. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you what makes sense — a starter flock is a different purchase from replacement ewes or a single ram.
What Are You Buying Sheep For?
- Meat. Hair sheep produce good lamb and there is steady demand for it in the Dallas–Fort Worth market.
- Starting a flock. Ewes and a ram. Buy the ewes first and take your time on the ram — he affects every lamb born on the place.
- Pasture and weed control. Sheep graze grass and weeds, which makes them a good complement to goats rather than a substitute. Goats browse brush; sheep graze the ground. Running both clears more than either does alone.
- Hunting ranches and exotic stock. Horned rams for stocking. See the American Blackbelly page.
- 4-H and FFA. Call early and tell us your show date.
Before You Bring Sheep Home
Fencing
Sheep are easier to contain than goats but they still test a fence, and lambs find gaps. Woven wire is the standard. Horned rams need a fence that will not trap a head. We build fencing, gates, and pens and do welding, and some sheep buyers have us handle the fence at the same time.
Predators
Sheep have almost no defenses. Coyotes and loose dogs are the real threat in North and East Texas, and losses happen fast. Think about secure night penning or a guardian animal before you buy, not after you have lost lambs.
Parasites
Internal parasites are the leading health problem for small ruminants in the humid parts of Texas. Hair sheep are more resistant than wool breeds but they are not immune. Rotate pasture and have a plan.
Minerals — a Critical Difference from Goats
Do not feed goat minerals to sheep. Goat minerals contain added copper, and copper accumulates in sheep to the point of toxicity. If you keep both species, this is the mistake to guard against. Use a mineral formulated for sheep, or one labeled safe for both.
Shelter and Water
A simple shelter out of the wind and rain, and constant clean water. Hair sheep handle Texas heat well but every animal needs shade.
Sheep for Sale Near Dallas, Tyler, and East Texas
Emola Farm is at 759 VZ CR 2704, Mabank, Texas 75147, near Cedar Creek Lake in Van Zandt County.
We are within a reasonable drive of Gun Barrel City, Athens, Canton, Kaufman, Terrell, Corsicana, Forney, Rockwall, Tyler, and much of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
How to Buy Sheep from Emola Farm
- Call 903-880-0124 and tell us what you are after and how many.
- We will tell you what is here and can send you photos.
- Come look — especially for breeding stock.
- Bring a trailer and finish your fence before you load up.
- Or send us a message through our contact page if you would rather write than call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have sheep for sale right now?
The specific animals change weekly. Call 903-880-0124.
What do sheep cost in Texas?
It depends on age, sex, and type — a bred ewe, a lamb, and a horned ram are three different prices. The market moves, so we quote by phone.
Do your sheep need shearing?
No. We deal in hair sheep, which shed naturally and do not require shearing.
How many sheep should I start with?
Sheep are flock animals and do poorly alone. Start with several rather than one or two.
Can I run sheep and goats together?
Yes, and many people do. Watch the mineral issue — sheep cannot tolerate the copper levels in goat minerals.
Do you buy sheep as well as sell them?
Yes. We buy and sell livestock continuously. Call us if you have sheep to move.
Other Livestock at Emola Farm
Along with sheep we buy and sell goats, pigs and hogs, cattle, and chickens. See our full livestock page.