The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on December 18, 2014, 06:34:50 pm
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I have been interested in finding these sheep in the UK, however it seems no one keeps them, does anyone know if there is a breeder in the uk?
Thanks
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So none of the 70-odd native breeds appeal ....? Beware getting any breed of anything that's very low in numbers - the difficulties involved in introducing new bloodlines, or selling surplus stock, are huge.
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So none of the 70-odd native breeds appeal ....? Beware getting any breed of anything that's very low in numbers - the difficulties involved in introducing new bloodlines, or selling surplus stock, are huge.
I do keep a traditional breed, the Lleyn, but I had a bet with someone that i could find a breeder in the uk, in actual fact I don't really want to keep sheep which will break my back everytime I try and pick em up, according to breeders the ewes weigh 200lbs live weight and the rams 300lbs live weight, that is a whole lot of sheep! :)
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I'd be surprised of you found a breeder in the UK. There's few enough managing with the Saxon Merinos, let alone trying the French version.
You could try asking on Ravelry in UK fleeeece people - if anyone is over here breeding them, they're likely selling their fleeces to handspinners, I'd think. Unless they've got a large enough flock and are making yarn, or even finished items, I suppose...
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I think if i was gonna keep em I would breed em for meat.
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So none of the 70-odd native breeds appeal ....? Beware getting any breed of anything that's very low in numbers - the difficulties involved in introducing new bloodlines, or selling surplus stock, are huge.
I do keep a traditional breed, the Lleyn, but I had a bet with someone that i could find a breeder in the uk, in actual fact I don't really want to keep sheep which will break my back everytime I try and pick em up, according to breeders the ewes weigh 200lbs live weight and the rams 300lbs live weight, that is a whole lot of sheep! :)
You shouldn't need to 'pick sheep up' :eyelashes: [size=78%] there is s technique involved, which results in the sheep on its back supported by your knees. Get someone to show you or go on a sheep keeping course. When I kept sheep I could turn them even the ram[/size] :thumbsup: am I am 5ft nothing.
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So none of the 70-odd native breeds appeal ....? Beware getting any breed of anything that's very low in numbers - the difficulties involved in introducing new bloodlines, or selling surplus stock, are huge.
I do keep a traditional breed, the Lleyn, but I had a bet with someone that i could find a breeder in the uk, in actual fact I don't really want to keep sheep which will break my back everytime I try and pick em up, according to breeders the ewes weigh 200lbs live weight and the rams 300lbs live weight, that is a whole lot of sheep! :)
You shouldn't need to 'pick sheep up' :eyelashes: [size=78%] there is s technique involved, which results in the sheep on its back supported by your knees. Get someone to show you or go on a sheep keeping course. When I kept sheep I could turn them even the ram[/size] :thumbsup: am I am 5ft nothing.
If you have functional sheep you shouldn't even need to turn them over ;)
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We know what you mean, WBF.
With your interest in water buffalo you are obviously a lateral thinker, so go for it. I have 6 pure breeds among my flock of 8 sheep because I find them interesting. I am the laughing stock of my neighbours, but it's water off a duck's back I'm afraid.
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When I got my Southdowns (we're in Suffolk on a Welsh Mule country here) my neighbour looked over the fence and said "There may be a reason why they're rare!" However, twelve years on, I have a waiting list for my breeding quality ewe lambs, several new flocks have been registered in the adjoining counties started with purchases from me and we hire rams to a growing number of smallholders and farmers. Our neighbour still doesn't quite believe it, but there's a sort of grudging respect going on now when he contemplates our woolly sheep from across the fence....
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We know what you mean, WBF.
With your interest in water buffalo you are obviously a lateral thinker, so go for it. I have 6 pure breeds among my flock of 8 sheep because I find them interesting. I am the laughing stock of my neighbours, but it's water off a duck's back I'm afraid.
yea i agree i keep breeds of animals cause i find them interesting. I bought the faverolle hens because i really liked them and found they were a dual purpose breed, am gonna buy a cockerel next year and then i can start a meat flock, strictly for my own use though. I keep buffaloes because they are completely different, in a good way, to cows and are more intelligent, but also because I want to make cheese and mozzarella. I keep lleyns because of the fantastic quality of the meat and i bought a very good ram so that the carcase will be better. Also because lleyns are a welsh breed. I keep certain breeds of animals because I really like them.