The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: MissJackRussell on July 19, 2019, 08:11:32 pm
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I rescued this ewe from the farmer who rents some land off us. I only have sheep as pets.
I was just totally drawn to her in a mass of white faced sheep. I know v little about sheep.
I think she is a texel? Is she pure breed does anyone know or a mix. And if so, what mix could she be?
I'd like to take her to the odd show, just locally as I think she's a real looker and has good confirmation, nice temperament, but i'm no sheep judge. And I don't actually know what judges would look for. Can anyone offer some expertise> I don't mind of she's just average/ has faults that I haven't spotted. I would just love to know more :)
Ta
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You’ve got a good eye, she looks very good :thumbsup:
I wonder if she might have a touch of Lleyn in her? Texel faces are rarely pretty, but Lleyn ewes’ faces are supposed to be pretty - it’s actually in the breed standard! And your ewe is much prettier than your average Texel.
Whichever, she’s a good-looking ewe, and I doubt anyone would batt an eye at you entering her in a Texel class - though not one for pedigrees, of course. However, summer classes for ewes are usually ‘ewe with lamb or lambs at foot’ or ‘ewe lamb’, so if you’re not planning on breeding her, you might struggle to find a suitable class for her! Unless you can find a show held towards the end of the summer, when ewes would have been weaned... :thinking:
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Don’t think she’s pure texel. Could be crossed with a lleyn, or a mule. Try and find some commercial showing classes as most showing is for purebred or pedigree sheep. I know our local county show has commercial classes judged in the pen (not on a halter) for ewes with lambs at foot.
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Definitely crossed with something that has got a narrower head than a texel, but texel in her for sure. Lovely face.
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Very nice looking girl :thumbsup: :trophy: :thumbsup:
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Aww thanks, everyone :)
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She is a good all round sheep and would be a useful addition to any flock. She possibly has texel in her and presumably your farmer friend could tell you but even in a small, local show she will not compete against texels. Commercial classes are generally for fat lambs.
All pedigree animals have a breed standard and you can find these on line. Once conformation has been assessed then the judge generally looks at the animals loose and moving. Even well put together animals, stood up well in the ring can lose their attraction once they move.
Your girl looks to have a good backend on the pictures but looks to have front feet that slightly turn out. Watch how she walks. Good teeth are essential in all sheep and will be checked. Also feet and udders. If old enough to have had a lamb then they should have had one and still have a good, even udder.
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I'm more intrigued by the rescue. Were doors kicked in? Did the farmer have her locked in a basement making fake passports or dodgy videos?? I'm picturing El Chapo in wellies and a landrover.
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I'm more intrigued by the rescue. Were doors kicked in? Did the farmer have her locked in a basement making fake passports or dodgy videos?? I'm picturing El Chapo in wellies and a landrover.
You are right. The details are woolly.
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Haha Thanks everyone. Especially Harmony for your knowledge on what judges judge on.
By rescue, I mean I saved her from market/commercial life in general.
She's now a pet and loved, rather than just a commodity. The farmer who rents our fields has far too many sheep scattered all over the place and will tell you himself he can't care from them all correctly. She was terribly lame when I took her on. Far too many of his flock are :(