The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Chris63red on December 30, 2011, 07:22:45 pm

Title: Hello newbie
Post by: Chris63red on December 30, 2011, 07:22:45 pm

Hi,
new to all this - looking to purchase either Balwen or have keen eye on badger faced either Torwen or Torddu.
Any advice on purchasing etc welcome and best time to purchase.

Chris Mid Wales

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: Rosemary on December 30, 2011, 07:30:05 pm

Hello and welcome from wet Carnoustie  :wave:

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: waterhouse on December 30, 2011, 09:43:01 pm

Have you read the TAS guides under the Livestock tab?

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: Fronhaul on December 31, 2011, 08:45:53 am

Usually large numbers of both breeds at Builth and also at the Coloured Sheep Sale at Llandovery but that isn't until September. 

This isn't usually the best of times to buy pure bred sheep.  Do you want top quality registered stock?  Are you looking for mature ewes or lambs? 

Balwens can be flighty and the regulations for registering them are to my mind an absolute nightmare.  The markings have to be spot on. 

Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep Society is at http://www.balwensheepsociety.com/ (http://www.balwensheepsociety.com/)

Badger Faced Society is at http://www.badgerfacesheep.co.uk/ (http://www.badgerfacesheep.co.uk/)

There is at least one person breeding top quality Badger Faced who is a member of this forum.  For more run of the mill sheep I know several people breeding Badger Faced, mainly in Carmarthenshire, and one of those also has Balwens.  They might well have ewes with lambs at foot in the spring.  The breed societies will also have details of people with sheep available.

One thought is the Smallholders Show.  That is I think on 19th and 20th May and there will be sheep a plenty to see and breeders to talk to there.  Check the dates on the Royal Welsh website please as I am running out of time and need to go and feed my crowd. 

And good luck - yell if you need any more.

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: waterhouse on December 31, 2011, 05:06:51 pm

It is indeed the 19/20 May

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: Chris63red on December 31, 2011, 06:32:26 pm

Hi Many thanks for all the replies,
Fronhaul thanks for the advice/comments some food for thought especially around registration.

Waterhouse I will check the TAS guides now

Thanks again everyone I'm sure I will be back for more advice !!  ;)


Chris

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: Chris63red on December 31, 2011, 06:32:55 pm

oh and Happy New Year !!!!

Title: Re: Hello newbie
Post by: Rosemary on December 31, 2011, 07:57:07 pm

Happy New Year to you too  :thumbsup: