The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rich Taylor on March 05, 2014, 01:43:56 pm

Title: Finishing Herdwicks
Post by: Rich Taylor on March 05, 2014, 01:43:56 pm

Got 8 herdwicks that are a year old and I'd like to finish the four biggest. Does anyone else finish them at this age. I am giving them hard feed at the moment. What sort of weight should I be looking at ?
Thanks

Title: Re: Finishing Herdwicks
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on March 08, 2014, 01:20:27 am

It's only my second year with Herdwicks (always had a mixture of Suffolk/Welsh Mountain/Lleyn etc before), and my April '13 ones aren't anywhere near finishing yet. Probably another month or two. If you're on Twitter, or know someone who is, it's worth dropping a line to @herdyshepherd1 - a very experienced breeder and judge.

Title: Re: Finishing Herdwicks
Post by: Rich Taylor on March 09, 2014, 05:38:34 am

Yes thanks not really a twitterer. I am looking to finish them before Easter. So there is a month to go really. They are taking hay and plenty of concentrates and fingers crossed on the grass growing a bit more ! Will keep checking them but I think they will make it.

Title: Re: Finishing Herdwicks
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on March 31, 2014, 11:33:46 pm

Took one of mine to the abattoir today, because he felt he was almost there. I'll know tomorrow whether or not it was too early.