The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: am produce on August 05, 2012, 06:54:20 pm

Title: hello everyone
Post by: am produce on August 05, 2012, 06:54:20 pm: Hello all
Im just wondering what peoples personal opinions will be im thinking of having shetland or ryelands there to be bred and raised for meat can anyone recommend a breed this will be my first time with sheep many thanks in advance
Abbie
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: MarvinH on August 05, 2012, 08:47:37 pm: I would advise on small breed for easy handling and ones you like the look of.
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: bigchicken on August 05, 2012, 09:19:25 pm: Shetlands for me every time easy sheep to look after thrifty, easy lambers, milky mothers and taste is fantastic.
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: thenovice on August 05, 2012, 09:22:07 pm: beware the primitive breeds, not always the easiest sheep to round up and handle :innocent:
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: bigchicken on August 05, 2012, 09:34:45 pm: Get them bucket trained and they will follow you like sheep. I just need to shout and my Shetlands come running and never had any more problems than any other type of sheep.
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: Small Farmer on August 05, 2012, 10:38:30 pm: Not sure there's any dispassionate advice to be given here!
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: bigchicken on August 05, 2012, 11:16:52 pm: O well that's my personal opinion and that is what was asked for and whats wrong with being enthusiastic about my chosen bred.
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: bangbang on August 06, 2012, 06:35:40 am: Quote from: bigchicken on August 05, 2012, 09:19:25 pm
Shetlands for me every time easy sheep to look after thrifty, easy lambers, milky mothers and taste is fantastic.

I agree with bigchicken! shetlands all the way :thumbsup:
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: Bramblecot on August 06, 2012, 05:58:15 pm: We have Shetland x Ryelands which usually produce twins in April, good meat in Dec. and lovely skin rugs back from the tannery in May. They can be very skittish :innocent: compared with our other breed (GFD). Just choose a breed you like - it makes all the hard work seem easier ;D
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: Small Farmer on August 06, 2012, 07:25:21 pm: Quote from: bigchicken on August 05, 2012, 11:16:52 pm
O well that's my personal opinion and that is what was asked for and whats wrong with being enthusiastic about my chosen bred.

Absolutely nothing! All I'm saying is that it is possible that there are breeds with less glowing attributes than others. Being British means no-one likes to be rude about someone else's choice of breed.
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: am produce on August 06, 2012, 08:56:18 pm: Thanks for all your advice Im looking at profits wise i will live them obviously but they will be to sell on my farmers stalls along with my berkshire pigs and jams etc etc i really have appreciated all your advice
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: thenovice on August 06, 2012, 10:42:02 pm: Some people find the primitive sheep meat a bit strong. For me hebridean is too gamey, but thats just my opinion. More meat on a commercial type carcase too :yum:
Title: Re: hello everyone
Post by: Sylvia on August 07, 2012, 07:38:34 am: Three of my Shetland ewes are very tame, the other one is always the fly in the ointment when it comes to penning them. The lambs are also becoming very friendly. Naughty Jessie didn't lamb this year so........... :yum: :yum: Apart from her I love the Shetland breed, though maybe for a first timer in sheep (which you may well not be) I would always recommend a very friendly, calm breed (Rylands?) or bottle fed lambs of another breed.