The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Azzdodd on October 01, 2013, 09:39:54 am
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I current keep a number of cross bred ewes which all lambs go for meat. I've been saving for a while now but not really for any reason I want to buy 4 pedegree ewes that are in lamb later in the season but I really don't know what breed to go for I'm put off the texel lambing problems. I really like suffolks & charolias? Pro's and cons off the breed if anyone keeps them? Another is the lleyn but the amount of triplets puts me off any suggestions welcome
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I had a flock of pedigree Suffolks back in the 70's but they have now fallen out of favour for a variety of reasons. Some of which are discussed here
http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?12533-Why-did-suffolks-go-out-of-popularity
Hope you're good at lambing; those big heads can cause a few difficulties!
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What's the climate like where you are? If you're in the south, Charollais should be a good choice. Easy lambers, fast growers, really tasty too :yum:. Friendly, easy to manage sheep too :thumbsup:
However, some Charollais are born very bare and this can cause problems at lambing time if the weather is cold and wet. If you lamb indoors, then this wouldn't be an issue.
And even in warmer areas, some bare Charollais can be a problem as they can get sunburned on their bare parts!
I'm a fan, can you tell?
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I'm down in north wales an have 2 charolias already so there the ideal choice but I do lamb outdoors :-/ but I suppose I could lamb in April/may to make the weather better?
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Well you can never guarantee the weather, but we have Charollais X ewes and a Charollais tup, and lamb outdoors. We choose a tup with a good bit of wool on his head and legs, and only get a few very bare lambs. We put the little plastic jackets on any thin-skinned lambs if the weather is wet or forecast to be, and if it's gruesome and a Charollais or Charollais-bearer is looking likely to lamb overnight we'll bring her in. Of course if the weather is cruel we're out checking newborns promptly during daylight hours anyway.
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Thanks very much Sally you have made me decide on them :-) there is a local person who I got my ewes off and I'm gonna go up on sat to see what he's got I just want something were I produce good breeding stock and I'll kill the crossbreed lambs and any thst don't meet the criteria
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Lleyns every time.
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Bought 20 Lleyn hoggetts a few years ago, some scanned with quads but none ever raised more than twins, and were so nervous we mostly saw their tails as they disappeared to the furthest end of the field. Lambs very popular at market but not with me as a breed.
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Lambs very popular at market but not with me as a breed.
At market as meat lambs?
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Lleyns every time. I have 230 very good lambers
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A lot saying lleyns are good but other things I've read there just too prolific? Triplets and quads are a defo no go for me
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Why not get Lleyn cross's? I've got some going to the ram this year for the first time so I can let you know how many lambs I get!
If you got the Lleyn there are ways for getting around trips and quads... Don't flush etc and If Orphan lambs sell again this lambing you'll be heading for profit!
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We have Lleyn and have only ever had one lot of triplets to date.......
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I want to start a pedegree flock :-) hmmm might be worth looking at them I know a local lad with some
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Agree about selling on the orphan lambs - there's usually always a very good market for good size orphans.
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We sold our Lleyn lambs as stores - wanted rid of them as soon as I could. Never flushed them - still prolific.
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I never flush mine. Last year I scanned 194% 5 singles.4 trips and the rest twins.
All the trips brought the 3 and I let them get on with it and all lambs are now undetectable from the rest. They have loads of milk and can carry 3 ok.
Tales of multi births are mainly hearsay and as for flighty mine all gather around me when I walk up to them.
If your getting any sheep try to get them from a smallish flock that have been handled.
Lleyns will find a ready market anywhere in the UK.
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I'd second that CF :thumbsup: