The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jackie on October 08, 2010, 02:42:31 pm
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Im thinking of buying a few Herdwicks but I know very little about them, how much they cost, where from etc so any ideas please?
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They're a hill breed so great if you've got hill land. They won't produce a very large or quick maturing carcase and the fleece will be pretty coarse, I think. They will most likely be very good mothers and live on fresh air.
Crossed with a tup like a Border or Bluefaced Leicester, the ewe lambs will be saleable for producing fat lambs when crossed to a tup like a Suffolk.
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you get them in cumbria.
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you get them from cumbria.
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Hi. I have 6 Herdwick ewes, always keep about that many in my flock., as they're a breed I like.
The last ones I bought I paid £45 each, in lamb, and they all had twins but one.
I am after some more at the moment, going to sheep sale this coming Thursday to see if I can get some.
I find they're MUCH cheaper at sales, breeders always think they have the best stock in the world, and try charging accordingly.
There are loads of breed sales on at the moment, up Cumbria and further up the country, but they will be after top dollar.
The lambs make very little to sell, as they're quite lightweight. I managed to sell my last lot to a petting farm, but only got £35 each.
I find them the easiest of breeds to look after, they're VERY hardy, will stay outside even when I give them the option to come inside. They don't cost much to feed because they rummage around allover the place. Very good at clearing out hedgebacks. I only feed when they're in lamb. Oh, and if the shearer makes you his last call a good part of the wool will have dropped off, I got away with having 2 of mine just 'tidied up' this season, as they were about fleeceless.
They're a quite stubborn little lot, always hang together, and quite vocal when they see me coming.