The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: highhorse on April 30, 2014, 02:04:05 pm

Title: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: highhorse on April 30, 2014, 02:04:05 pm
hi

im getting some sheep with this years lambs at foot in june and was wondering when the best/most profitable time to sell the lambs on is.

 :excited:x
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: twizzel on April 30, 2014, 02:47:35 pm
Depends whether you want to sell them as store lambs or fat lambs through market, butchered lambs and sell privately? Most profitable way is probably selling privately already butchered in the autumn by the half or whole to family and friends.
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: highhorse on April 30, 2014, 03:39:00 pm
probably through advertising/markets/butchers as non of my family/friends like lamb!!! tuttut.  ;) x
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Rosemary on April 30, 2014, 04:02:21 pm
What breed are they?
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: twizzel on April 30, 2014, 05:07:10 pm
Most butchers source their produce from livestock markets or produce their own. I'm not sure a butcher would be interested in lambs from smallholders. Livestock market as fat lambs is probably your best bet but prices vary greatly depending on time of year, breed, quality, region.
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Rosemary on April 30, 2014, 09:11:16 pm
Quote from: twizzel on April 30, 2014, 05:07:10 pm
Most butchers source their produce from livestock markets or produce their own. I'm not sure a butcher would be interested in lambs from smallholders. Livestock market as fat lambs is probably your best bet but prices vary greatly depending on time of year, breed, quality, region.

Our butcher is because he wants to sell rare breeds as a niche market. That's why I was asking what breed they were. And also to estimate how long they will take to finish.
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Hellybee on April 30, 2014, 09:25:40 pm
late autumn  :sheep:
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: langfauld easycare on April 30, 2014, 10:05:29 pm
 :wave: if selling live its more about weight than when, if a mainstream type stores at 30kg+, fat at 40kg+. if rare breed(most). i would avoid the mart
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Hellybee on April 30, 2014, 11:34:51 pm
We sell them as stores at the mart, a newer one about 10 miles away, lovely environment.  We send them looking in good condition, and as not finishing it s about time with us, we never weigh, they go when they feel right.
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Rosemary on May 01, 2014, 08:41:34 am
Quote from: Hellybee on April 30, 2014, 09:25:40 pm
late autumn  :sheep:

If they are primitives, they aren't going to be fat in late autumn
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 01, 2014, 09:52:47 am
Not all commercials will be fat by autumn either, depending on breed, when lambed, whether singles twins or triplets, mothering and other circumstances.
Title: Re: best age to sell lambs on
Post by: Hellybee on May 01, 2014, 11:43:51 am
No primative breeds here Rosemary, mostly Lleyn.