[devonlad]

Hello
we've had a lat minute problem with our ram arrangement this year. Has anyone got a LLeyn (or failing that a Wilts Horn) chap in need of a break in the mid devon hills entertaining up to 12 beautiful woolly ladies. happy to pay (of course) collect (within reason) all help gratefully received- thanks and hello BTW

[SteveHants]

I have a lleyn x wilts x wilts shedding ram lamb that I was going to use but am now not because I have had a reshuffle, but I am a bit far, just over the Dorset border into Hants, about 5 miles south of Salisbury.

[devonlad]

Hi Steve
thanks for getting back. We've got a small flock of 5 wilts horn ewes and last year crossed with a lleyn ram as we're trying to do what it sounds like you've done and get the benfits of lleyn and self-shedding. last year we only produced one ewe lamb (and we'renot breeding from her this year) so were planning on crossing with lleyn again and then the folllowing year put them to a wilts horn. anyway its all a learning curve for us. happy to collect the lad though salisbury is a bit far i guess.
thanks again

[SteveHants]

That is more or less what I set out to do, but it all got a bit complex because I have a friend who is involved with the exlana project through SIG: http://www.sig.uk.com/


So: because I expanded this year and bought ewes, I went round buying a selection of genetics to see what works for me. I know have shedding ewes from someone who started with an easycare x friesland, someone else who started with a texel x mule x easycare (these do not shed particularly well and will go to the Wilts to produce replacements) and someone who put a lleyn x wilts to a sheeding composite ram of their creation, which is basically where the ram lamb I am talking about came from.


I also have my own 1st lleyn x wilts to put back to a wilts this year to see what they turn out like.


You can come get him if you want him. I'l try and do a photo at some point.

[devonlad]

Hi Steve,
went to market this morning, more in hope than expectation. nothing there but got talking to a chap who sorted us out. have bought a 3 year old pure bred lleyn which is ideally what we wanted. thinking we'll sell him on once he's filled his boots- and my neighbour is keen to hire him off us for a few of his. he was cheap so hopefully won't lose too much. we were just getting desperate. one of the main things we've learnt this year rather depressingly is NEVER but NEVER rely on anyone else !!!!
thanks ever so much for your kind replies and offer, sure we'll speak again- cheers

[SteveHants]

Where in Devon are you? There is a really good composite shedding ewe breeder on Dartmoor who would be well worth you talking to if you are going down the woolshedding route.

[SallyintNorth]

Sounds like a great result devonlad