The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Raine on March 24, 2014, 09:40:44 pm
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:wave:
I'm hoping for some advice ready for later this year.
I have two BFWM, one Balwen and two Suffolk cross's. The Balwen and Suffolk X's will have had their first shear.
Any suggestions on what breed of ram to go for. I had wanted a registered BFWM, but none anywhere near this side of the country (Lincoln).
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No advice, but, should you opt for Gotlands I have some rams here in South Lincolnshire (nr Sleaford) which are all pedigree registered.
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Can you get a Southdown? You'd have some decent fat lambs and some nice fleeces :eyelashes: :spin: :knit:
I always sing the praises of the Charollais as a terminal sire (for a fat lamb.) Lambs are usually fine-skinned and slippery, not too large, so easily lambed, very active so up and round to the milk bar quickly, and then grow well so should make a decent fat lamb from any mother. And as it has a 'fine skin' too, again you could get some nice fleeces on the offspring.
What else is available locally?
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Any ram will do te job! Just pick one you like the look of... Have you contacted the bf society? Bf don't tend to sell as well if you are wanting to take yours to market at all I go for a more traditional terminal sire... Maybe a local farmer can lend you one or hire for a minimal fee!? Worth asking as it makes life much easier not having to have a ram on the place all the time and you then don't have to worry about father daughter makings as you can hire or borrow a new one every year!
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:wave:
Not sure what's around, really trying to get idea's ready for summer, when I will look in earnest.
We eat all our own rams and had our own ram last year. He was a Balwen and bit of a steeple jumper, so sold him on.
Will keep looking and listening.
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How about a Dorset ?