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Announcements / New diary post: Sweet peas / Embroidery / Pullets
« Last post by TAS Bot on June 09, 2025, 09:03:58 am »A new TAS diary entry has been posted: Sweet peas / Embroidery / Pullets
Recent Posts
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Marketplace / Re: FS Jersey cross Highland cattle (Scottish Borders)
« Last post by Rosemary on June 09, 2025, 07:06:32 am »Probably make nice house cows.
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Marketplace / Re: FS Jersey cross Highland cattle (Scottish Borders)
« Last post by shankendfarming on June 08, 2025, 09:52:47 pm »It's quite a nice wee cross. Photos can be seen on my Facebook page - Shankend Park.
Thanks
Thanks
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Introduce yourself / Re: Black nose valais
« Last post by SallyintNorth on June 08, 2025, 08:37:47 am »Another aspect to think about... Do you think you might want to use and/or sell the wool? Spinning, knitting, weaving, felting (wet or needle), etc etc. Different breeds' wool is more or less suited to different uses, so that could become a factor.
Scottish primitive breeds not so far mentioned include North Ronaldsay (in the highest priority category on the RBST watchlist this year, very pretty multicoloured sheep with amazing double-coated wool), and Castlemilk Moorit (uniformly moorit but also very pretty, incredibly fine, soft fleece, but quite short; incredibly lean, flavoursome meat. RBST category At Risk.)
And not at all rare, not primitive, but would probably cope with your conditions (and they have a black face although they're not as cute as the Valais), the Scottish Blackface.
Scottish primitive breeds not so far mentioned include North Ronaldsay (in the highest priority category on the RBST watchlist this year, very pretty multicoloured sheep with amazing double-coated wool), and Castlemilk Moorit (uniformly moorit but also very pretty, incredibly fine, soft fleece, but quite short; incredibly lean, flavoursome meat. RBST category At Risk.)
And not at all rare, not primitive, but would probably cope with your conditions (and they have a black face although they're not as cute as the Valais), the Scottish Blackface.
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Sheep / Re: accidental lamb carer without a clue, don't know what to do next advise needed
« Last post by Rosemary on June 08, 2025, 07:16:16 am »Yep, the wiggly tails are how they hook us in, #firefrog. You are now officially a sheepkeeper 
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Pigs / Re: Kunekune Boars
« Last post by Rosemary on June 08, 2025, 07:14:13 am »Contact Alan Jamieson, Sauchenhall Kumekunes at [email protected] . What he doesn't know about KKs isn't worth knowing.
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Introduce yourself / Re: Black nose valais
« Last post by Fleecewife on June 08, 2025, 12:36:04 am »
We used to breed breeding stock, but now we are selling off any younger ewes as we are retired and so are they.
There are breeders in the isles and the Highlands, for example Eagle Brae, Strathglass, Beauly, [email protected] (they also have holiday lodges). I can give you other contacts if you need them. It's always best to buy local with Primitives so they are acclimatised and used to the local pests.
Our ancient, rather clonky website has some details of Multihorned Hebs: www.scothebs.co.uk Also have a look at the main Hebridean Sheep Society site:www.hebrideansheep.org.uk, although it's a bit oriented to the deep south. Note, the HSS has a breed description, not a breed standard, which allows for the variations within a native breed.
Other Scottish Native Breeds are of course the Shetland, the Soay, the Boreray and the other one from St Kilda, whose name I have temporarily forgotten
I understand what Sally is saying about sticking to one breed, but you don't have to make up your mind straight away. Do some research, visit some local folk who keep each breed and try not to fall in love too soon. All sheep are wonderful, so take your time and remember if you want to change your mind, all sheep also taste delicious
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Pigs / Kunekune Boars
« Last post by Tony.palmer84 on June 07, 2025, 05:16:26 pm »we have a pair of castrated boars who are 2 years old. They have started to become aggressive with one another and also nibbley with us and the children when we are interacting with them.
Is this normal behaviour? Any suggestions of what we should do?
Thanks
Is this normal behaviour? Any suggestions of what we should do?
Thanks
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Sheep / Re: accidental lamb carer without a clue, don't know what to do next advise needed
« Last post by SallyintNorth on June 07, 2025, 11:23:33 am »That's great to hear, thanks so much for letting us know.
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Sheep / Re: accidental lamb carer without a clue, don't know what to do next advise needed
« Last post by firefrog on June 06, 2025, 09:22:02 pm »Hi Sally.
Thank you for your very informative reply.
Im very happy to report that today, day 4 they finally managed to feed from Mum!
Yesterday I didn't feed them all day and the last feed they had had was the night before. I noticed that mums teats were very big and swollen again and the lambs still were unable to find the teat. So at 5pm I called a couple of friends and asked them to come and help me. it took 3 of us to hold her still, while my wife milked her a bit so her udders were not so full and then she got the lambs and for the first time we were able to physically put them onto the teat to drink. They filled their little bellies and by the end they were latching on by them selves.
Then today I saw the lambs feeding on their own with their little tails wagging and it was a sight that filled me with joy.
I will sleep much better tonight
Thank you for your very informative reply.
Im very happy to report that today, day 4 they finally managed to feed from Mum!
Yesterday I didn't feed them all day and the last feed they had had was the night before. I noticed that mums teats were very big and swollen again and the lambs still were unable to find the teat. So at 5pm I called a couple of friends and asked them to come and help me. it took 3 of us to hold her still, while my wife milked her a bit so her udders were not so full and then she got the lambs and for the first time we were able to physically put them onto the teat to drink. They filled their little bellies and by the end they were latching on by them selves.
Then today I saw the lambs feeding on their own with their little tails wagging and it was a sight that filled me with joy.
I will sleep much better tonight