The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Emmam on May 02, 2012, 05:15:54 am

Title: Which breed and thus ram availability?
Post by: Emmam on May 02, 2012, 05:15:54 am

I am considering purchasing some pure bred sheep, maybe Ryelands to run alongside my commercial cross ewes.  However, I currently hire a different ram each season. 

I am in the South of England, so what breed would be best, bearing in mind that I would need to either hire or buy different bloodlines in.  ie there would be no point buying a few ewes and then finding out at that stage that I would have to travel to the other end of the country to access a ram from different bloodlines?

Any thoughts on breed and availability would be gratefully received. :)

Title: Re: Which breed and thus ram availability?
Post by: Rosemary on May 02, 2012, 10:11:09 am

There are a lot of Ryelands in the south of England and Wales. Check the Ryleand Flock Book Society website for lists of breeders. Nice sheep, too

Title: Re: Which breed and thus ram availability?
Post by: Remy on May 02, 2012, 11:07:52 am

I've got a pedigee Ryeland ram who crosses with my three mixed breed sheep and five Charollais, and he produces very good lambs.  He's good tempered and does his job well.  I'm sure you wouldn't have too much of a problem finding a suitable ram in your part of the country  :)

Title: Re: Which breed and thus ram availability?
Post by: Emmam on May 02, 2012, 11:45:41 am

Thank you for the info!  My current ewes are mainly 2/3 charrollais, so it would be ideal if a purebreed ram could cover all the ewes.  I will go off and investigate.

Title: Re: Which breed and thus ram availability?
Post by: Emmam on May 02, 2012, 07:35:04 pm

Another question?  Thank you in advance.

What would the cost of a Ryeland ewe lamb or established breeding ewe be please?  I know the cost of commercial sheep but not sure where to find info on purebreeds?

I appreciate Ryelands will be more - a ball park figure would be great.