The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Fowlman on May 02, 2012, 02:44:15 pm

Title: Shetlands
Post by: Fowlman on May 02, 2012, 02:44:15 pm
New girls.
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: bigchicken on May 02, 2012, 05:46:32 pm
Is this your first Shetlands if so I predict you will have more, Plenty of grass for them.
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: LOCHBYRE on May 02, 2012, 05:47:33 pm
Awww lovely girlies, I do love Shetlands  :)
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: Fowlman on May 02, 2012, 06:21:47 pm
Is this your first Shetlands if so I predict you will have more, Plenty of grass for them.

Yes my first shetlands and a bit different from the commercials i have had in the past but so far yes we love them.
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: Rosemary on May 02, 2012, 07:19:54 pm
OMG look at the grass  ;)
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: jaykay on May 02, 2012, 07:44:55 pm
I've got Shetlands this year after years of commercial sheep. I'm pretty impressed with a very straightforward lambing and no pets. They're good little sheep  ;D
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: Fowlman on May 02, 2012, 08:12:05 pm
Pigs on there last year Rosemary so its growing like mad.

Glad to hear it jaykay.
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: humphreymctush on May 03, 2012, 08:02:55 am
I've got Shetlands this year after years of commercial sheep. I'm pretty impressed with a very straightforward lambing and no pets. They're good little sheep  ;D
Last year my 30 shetlands produced 45 suffolkX lambs which sold in october at an average of 38kg for £58 each. They never needed the vet and didnt eat much. In my opinion that makes them "commercial."
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 03, 2012, 09:08:07 am
Even on the 'proper' farming forums, the Shetland, at least as a cross, is getting a lot more respect than previously, and a lot fewer rude remarks,  mainly because of the move towards lower intervention, lower overhead sheep. They have their downsides (need good fences, can be a pain to round up, rams can be hostile to another ram) but in terms of a low input flocks they are great!
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: PDO_Lamb on May 03, 2012, 09:20:56 am
Better to spend money on a good fence that lasts 20 years than on feed to to keep a big ewe through the winter
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: Brucklay on May 03, 2012, 10:20:42 am
I think my shetland are fantastic - I only have 11 and they are only now a year old but they are easy to look after / handle which was why I have them and can't wait for lambing next year
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 03, 2012, 11:50:57 am
Better to spend money on a good fence that lasts 20 years than on feed to to keep a big ewe through the winter

Especially as after spending money on the ewe she might still peg it - easier to bear if the stock didnt cost too much to buy....
Title: Re: Shetlands
Post by: Fowlman on May 04, 2012, 01:22:29 pm
They seem to be settling in well.  :thumbsup: