The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Lilljoho on April 22, 2013, 05:03:28 pm

Title: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Lilljoho on April 22, 2013, 05:03:28 pm

Hi,

After a bad time of Cade lambs. I've decided to get some ewes to have lambs of their own next spring. I've narrowed it down to ryelands or Southdowns, but which?

Any help, opinions or information appreciated

Thanks Jo

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Dan on April 22, 2013, 05:10:14 pm

A couple of previous threads you might find useful:

Southdown v Ryeland (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=18802.0)
ryelands v southdowns (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=29666)

Feel free to ask any new questions here.

HTH.

Dan

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Lilljoho on April 22, 2013, 05:17:42 pm

Thanks :-)

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Lilljoho on April 22, 2013, 05:24:43 pm

In meat quality does anyone have a preference?

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on April 22, 2013, 05:28:07 pm

I keep Ryelands for the following reasons,
I love their friendly, confident and tameable nature.
They are small enough for me to catch, turn over, pin down etc
They have good feet
They do well on poor pasture
I find them easy to train and dont require a dog, a crook or a race to get them from A - B.
Lastly and perhaps more importantly, I like the look of them.
Not sure if that helps as there are probably as many pros for any breed.
 

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on April 22, 2013, 05:35:37 pm

Ryeland meet is lovely but I cant comment on southdown as I havent tried it. Im sure that it is equally as good. Where are you based? Can you visit any breeders or shows.
I think if I had to pick one quality over all others I would say its the Ryelands placid nature that I love. They learn routines quickly and commands. They come to their names and enjoy affection. Especially chest scratching. Mine wander freely about the place eating the grass verges down and are like big woolly dogs.
I find them so super easy to deal with, they are a delight to own.

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Lilljoho on April 22, 2013, 05:40:12 pm

Thanks for your reply. I'm Worcestershire area. I've seen both in person just looking for inside info. I'll look up some breeders

Title: Re: Ryelands or Southdowns?
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 22, 2013, 05:52:48 pm

Hello, we're in NE Herefordshire and have a flock of registered, pedigree Southdowns, which have just finished lambing.   You're welcome to come and take a look at them.  We'll have ewe lambs for sale in July and also offer ram hire.  Please PM me if you'd like to look them over.