[Nuffield]

Has anybody played around with Southdown crosses to wool shedding sheep such as Wiltshires, BWM, etc?  Would be interested to hear experiences and see any pictures of crosses if you have any.

[ScotsGirl]

I have two Wiltshire crossed Southdown ewes and they are the hairiest things I have ever seen and a nightmare to shear!  I believe from an acquaintance that Wiltshires crossed with a hairy breed will eventually produce a self shearing lamb but can't remember if it is the first lamb or their off-spring put with a Wiltshire ram.

There is little evidence of the Wiltshire in any of mine other than the head shape.

[SteveHants]

Theres another thread on this forum that discusses the genetics behind shedding. Basically, the shedding gene only expresses itself in the second generation. The thread is here:

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=17585.0

 

[Nuffield]

It is generally accepted that you would need to go at least an F3 cross to upgrade to acceptable shedding.  Here in Australia you need to go to an f$ cross for an 'upgrade' to qualify as a pure breed Wiltshire of Wiltipoll. 

It is possible to come up with good shedders at F2 with the short wool breeds such as Southdowns, Suffolks and South Suffolks.  Have you got any pics there ScotsGirl of your F1 first crosses.  I have some of my own this year but they are only 2 months old.  What I am curious about is if there is any shedding of wool around the face, bum and on the belly.  If there is any shedding on an F1 apparently this is where you will see it and that is obviously great for removing the risk of flystrike around these areas.  Southdowns can be a nightmare here in Australia as they have wool from nose to toe and hence have more potential zones where flystrike can occur.