The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: NewLifeOnTheFarm on March 14, 2019, 08:10:33 pm
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Hi all,
I went to speak to my lovely neighbours who are nearing 80, I had heard from other neighbours that they have been struggling, especially feeding pet lambs, so went to offer my assistance and also see if they had a few ewes I could buy from them. We have just finalised our land purchase, so I told them the good news and they were made up for us. So much so, that I came away with 14 of last years ewe lambs for practically nothing. (Would have been nothing if they had had their way!!)
Long tale short, wondering what crosses well with Cheviots? Tup would also be going in with our Shetlands too. As part of our land expansion we will be venturing into selling lambs at market for the first time, so assuming something like a Suffolk should work well?
Thanks.
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Remind me where you are?
There’s a roaring market for pure Cheviot at Longtown, which is as far NW in England as you can go. Big dairy area, the dairy farmers love the little bunny rabbits at weaning, to run on the ground over winter and clean it of cattle worms, being ready to sell at a good price in spring, just as the cattle come back out into the fields.
Do you know which type of Cheviot you’ve got? North Country? Park? Hill?
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Suffolk will do well as they are easier lambing than say Texels, and the lambs are defined by their black faces. I have put a Suffolk tup to my shetlands with no problem. If selling fat they fatten fast on good grass, or if selling as stores are a popular cross to fatten on.
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Cheviot mules seem to hold their price - Cheviot x Blue Face Leicester.
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Remind me where you are?
There’s a roaring market for pure Cheviot at Longtown, which is as far NW in England as you can go. Big dairy area, the dairy farmers love the little bunny rabbits at weaning, to run on the ground over winter and clean it of cattle worms, being ready to sell at a good price in spring, just as the cattle come back out into the fields.
Do you know which type of Cheviot you’ve got? North Country? Park? Hill?
We are in Aberdeenshire. I am led to believe they are hill type nccs.
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If I read this correctly then you will be putting 14 hill northie gimmers plus some Shetland , ewes or gims ? for their first lambing Suffolk or BFL could be to big , as ewes no problems so 2020 tupping . Just buy or borrow a hill northie tup for an easier first lambing . also this is a traditional cross with shetlands . you can then sell wethers and ewe lambs for breeding or keep for own use ?