The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Maddie89 on September 04, 2016, 05:40:15 pm

Title: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Maddie89 on September 04, 2016, 05:40:15 pm: Hi everyone! :wave:

In April my partner and I bought a house with a 2 acre paddock attached and were a bit unsure what to do with it and so made hay this summer. Now decided to keep 3-4 sheep to keep the grass trim although neither of us have previous sheep experience. I have always loved Herdwick sheep from our holidays to the lake district however having just been to the Dorset Country Show I think I may have fallen in love with the Greyface Dartmoors!

I think I need to find myself a basic sheep husbandry course so I don't feel quite so blind. What would be the best sheep to start with? Ewes with lamb at foot or shearlings? I do love the idea of having a lamb or two in the field.... Any advice would be greatly welcomed.

Maddie
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Rosemary on September 05, 2016, 08:54:02 am: If you plan to breed, buy a few ewe lambs this year. By the time they are ready to breed next autumn, you'll all be best chums and you have a year of sheep care under your belt before you lamb.

Get Tim Tyne's The Sheep Book for Smallholders - if you can't get on a course, it will help enormously. I think there is an active smallholders group in Dorset that might eb able to help with training.

GF Dartmoors are lovely :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Alex_ on September 05, 2016, 12:11:35 pm: Hello from herts,
Do you have any sheep keeping neighbours that would let you shadow them? Always useful if you know someone local with lots of knowledge.

:sheep:
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on September 08, 2016, 08:59:43 am: :wave:
Welcome from Devon - I believe that Bramblecot is in your county and has GFDs....
No doubt you'll be able to find various local courses around - is there a Dorset smallholders' association?
And if you want to cross the boundary line we offer an 'introduction to smallholding' weekend for our BnB guests in Devon - rather bespoke since we only accommodate one couple at a time! [www.smilingsheep.co.uk]
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Bramblecot on September 08, 2016, 01:44:22 pm: :wave: Hi Maddie, I have sent you a lengthy pm. I hope it arrives as our internet is playing up. There's always a good turnout of GFD at Dorset Show, and also Melplash Show which is at Bridport. You are very welcome to visit us and see our sheep. :sheep: :love: :sheep: , but the breed chairman is not a million miles from you if you want to see top quality show animals.
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on September 08, 2016, 03:54:51 pm: Hi Maddie and welcome to the forum from a :sunshine: Ceredigion :wave: Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide and the future!
WBF
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: devonlady on September 09, 2016, 08:32:43 am: Hello and welcome from Devon!
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 09, 2016, 11:04:00 pm: :wave: and welcome from Shropshire.
Title: Re: Hello from Dorset
Post by: Maddie89 on September 11, 2016, 11:17:49 am: Hi everyone!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to message back.
I have ordered myself the Tim Tyne book! There are lots of people around me with sheep luckily so hopefully they will prove to be friendly and good with advice! As far as I can tell there isn't a dorset smallholders association- unless any one knows otherwise?
I am currently getting my fencing sorted out a bit- and a rather large wasp nest in my field shelter- so got a bit more time to do some research. Thank you for all your suggestions!
Maddie