The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Stanlamb on August 25, 2013, 07:21:44 pm

Title: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Stanlamb on August 25, 2013, 07:21:44 pm: Reading Tim Tynes book on selecting ewe lambs to hold back for breeding within your own flock. He says a lamb by a Suffolk pedigree ram x'd with a mule wouldn't be a good mix to keep. Can anyone enlighten me as to why not?

Thanks
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Hillview Farm on August 25, 2013, 07:27:24 pm: No idea why they would say that as they are one of the best and most recognised cross breed.
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Stanlamb on August 25, 2013, 09:17:05 pm: I wish he had explained why. I'm going to keep some ewe lambs this year and that cross was one I had thought about hanging on to - I'm interested to see what kind of a mum she would make.
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 25, 2013, 09:28:14 pm: You could try sending VSS a PM to alert her/them that you are wanting some info ;)
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Stanlamb on August 25, 2013, 10:01:28 pm: Probably a really dumb question, Sally, but who/what are VSS? ???
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: SteveHants on August 25, 2013, 11:15:46 pm: Suffolk mules are pretty popular with some....

I'm with VSS on this one though.

I like anything I have to be at least 3 gens removed from a BFL. :P
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Fleecewife on August 25, 2013, 11:31:42 pm: Quote from: Stanlamb on August 25, 2013, 10:01:28 pm
Probably a really dumb question, Sally, but who/what are VSS? ???

VSS is Mrs Tim Tyne, a member of TAS.
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: colliewobbles on August 26, 2013, 12:04:00 am: Is it because you would be breeding from an animal that is already a cross meaning there would be little chance of predicting what sort of offspring would be produced? I guess any desirable traits from either of the 'grandparents' could be diluted too much to be useful.

With the first cross a pretty good guestimate of offspring can be made.

Donna
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: Stanlamb on August 26, 2013, 08:01:02 am: Thank you Donna - and those who clarified who/what VSS is. Best that particular lamb goes - and tbh, she's not the best of the bunch so it was more curiosity on my part!
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: shep53 on August 26, 2013, 12:22:46 pm: Thousands of this cross will be sold as ewe lambs from the north, St boswells a big sale they are bought by the january lambing flocks
Title: Re: Why wouldn't you keep this cross of ewe lamb?
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 26, 2013, 05:41:27 pm: Mule x Texel is a very popular breeder in these parts; I'm not sure whether the Suffolk X mule is thought to be a bit heavy? sluggish?