The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: piggy on December 14, 2010, 07:04:05 pm

Title: My new sheep
Post by: piggy on December 14, 2010, 07:04:05 pm
Thanks to robate55 who i collected my new sheep from today finally after all this snow,here they are.

(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz152/northcove/charlie033.jpg)

(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz152/northcove/charlie1.jpg)
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on December 14, 2010, 07:14:48 pm
I definitely approve of the breed you've chosen  ;D ;D  You will love them  :)
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: piggy on December 14, 2010, 07:22:37 pm
Im so pleased they have been following us around all afternoon while we finished there shelter and fingers crossed they are all in lamb.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Anke on December 14, 2010, 07:23:50 pm
Is that a Lleylandii hedge in the background? If yes, make sure your sheep can't nibble on it. But is should provide good cover from the wind I guess?
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: robate55 on December 14, 2010, 08:11:09 pm
They were in our garden this summer with Leylandii before we cut it down. It seems to be one of the few things they didn't eat.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: robate55 on December 14, 2010, 08:13:07 pm
They look happy there. There is a bit more grass than they had here recently
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: piggy on December 14, 2010, 09:17:46 pm
Anke
They are conifers as i have no gardening sence are they the same as leylandi? it is our boundry fence they are about 100ft high maybe more,there is a 5ft fence inside so they shouldnt be able to reach as we chop any branches that poke through as it shorts the electric fence for the horses.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Rosemary on December 14, 2010, 09:18:50 pm
What's that green stuff they're standing on?  ;D

They look lovely.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on December 15, 2010, 10:10:16 am
Anke
They are conifers as i have no gardening sence are they the same as leylandi? it is our boundry fence they are about 100ft high maybe more,there is a 5ft fence inside so they shouldnt be able to reach as we chop any branches that poke through as it shorts the electric fence for the horses.

Hi Piggy - Hebs are very much taller than 5' when they stand on their back legs, which they will to reach browsing  ::).  The polled one will also be able to get her head through the top mesh, if she's anything like as determined as my polled ones.  I can't imagine them eating Leylandii as not much finds it palateable, but best to be aware.
Looking forward to pics of the lamb crop  :)
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Gordon M on December 15, 2010, 07:05:06 pm
They're very nice Piggy, I think I want some!!
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: princesspiggy on December 15, 2010, 07:32:48 pm
wev got hebrideans, watch them if theyre lambing in your field, cos they have a tendancy to have twins but abandon one lamb and only look after the one. would be better to have them in pens or inside when lambing. our bobby is still here, 4 years later after being abandoned and hand-reared. couldnt part with him as hes so tame and completely spoilt. theyre lovely though - just wondering what was on grass - hope fox didnt take a goose?  :farmer: ;D
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: robate55 on December 15, 2010, 07:44:27 pm
The seven in the picture all lambed outside last year - six had twins. We brought them in after for a day or two after, but none of the 19 who lambed last year were any trouble with the lambs
Rose
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: robate55 on December 15, 2010, 07:54:46 pm
Gordon - We still have ewe lambs for sale off those ewes in April if you really want some!! bg
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: princesspiggy on December 15, 2010, 10:29:01 pm
that makes me feel better, id always felt guilty leaving them outside to lamb,(was only little paddock in sight from kitchen) each ewe denied he was hers so we took him in house. we had rather delightful summer with him, and hes still here. we also had a lamb with broken leg after week, apparently ewe must have stood on him. had plaster cast on for few weeks. and (comes in threes) one lamb somehow got his head stuck between tree and the wooden stake that was supporting it, of course during april blizzard! his mother denied he was hers after that aswell, but they were all fine. and i tell you poddy lambs sell like hotcakes, we only sold 2 but could have sold 30. lovely breed, especially if, like me,you find the larger are sheep are heavy to handle. goodluck
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: egglady on December 15, 2010, 10:50:23 pm
what is a "poddy lamb" please?
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on December 16, 2010, 12:32:27 am
We have bred Hebs for 15 years and always lamb outside, with just a shelter in each field and some bales for the lambs to snuggle down behind.  The only ewe who ignored one lamb was one I had forgotten was a first timer, but I just picked up the lamb and put it with the twin and all was well. Actually that ewe was a bit of a nutter and we sold her - shouldn't have bought her in the first place  ::). In general Hebs are the best of mothers - they will defend their twins against most predators if they can.  At night they all collect together in a circle with the lambs towards the middle, just like buffalo and bison.  They are also full of character and individuality - you will soon realise that you can identify your ewes by their voices without even being able to see them. I love my flock.  We have just taken the tups out from their tupping groups today and put them back in the male paddock so they are all having a big bust-up.  We are looking forward to some cracking lambs in April.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: princesspiggy on December 16, 2010, 09:52:20 am
poddy lamb/calve means hand fed, not neccessarily orphaned tho. our first ever sheep were xbreed lambs that were triplets so we got them and handreared them, cos 2 lambs was more than enough for the ewes.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: princesspiggy on December 16, 2010, 09:58:11 am
maybe i just had bad luck then, i blamed myself and sold my ewes that year and havent lambed for 2 years. wer restocking this spring with 4 new ewes. wev still got a few heb to send away.(not bobby tho- ha) their meat is sooo good.
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: Blinkers on December 16, 2010, 10:28:05 am
I've never heard the term 'Poddy' - I like it  ;D    We call 'em Mollies  8)
Title: Re: My new sheep
Post by: princesspiggy on December 16, 2010, 10:47:37 am
i think its an australian term, used to live there so it stuck, we use to watch the rodeos there, kids (not mind tho!!) wud ride the poddy bulls in ring, last about 2 seconds. i use to hate thought of rodeos until i realised even the champion guys only lasted about 8 seconds on the bulls. dont ride the horse rodeos though, but then i dont like horses at auction either, brings lump to throat.