My flock is, as of yesterday, down to 18 (from its peak in Cumbria of 103; that’s “my own” sheep, not including the commercial flock that ex-BH and I ran together.)
Of the 18, only 11 are the breeding flock, including 2 tups. (4 are fleece sheep and 3 are the last of this year’s meat lambs, to go next year.)
There are 7 different breeds in the gene pool of breeders (goes up to 13 if you include the fleece flock!). (The point being, I’ve had a lot of ingredients to play with, and select from.)
Of the 9 breeding ewes and ewe lambs , 4 - so nearly half - are or derive from one original excellent Manx ewe, Dot Cotton. Not a looker, but demonstrably a great breeder of breeders - and her own temperament is friendly, trusting and biddable.
And only 1 sheep is a Zwartbles or has any Zwartbles blood.
Horses for courses, clearly!
But congratulations on finally getting your last horned sheep away, Womble.
Loved the story, and yes I am sure it’s exactly how Alice wanted it