[FahransFeathers]

Hi everyone!

I've posted about this before however........

The countdown to the move has officially begun! We have 4 weeks to go until we make the move to South Wales!
very excited but nervous at the same time!

Been doing my research into sheep and their care etc, Got some new books and things so i feel quite confident that when we do get our own sheep ill know what to do but of course everything else will come with time and practice and learning..

We are moving to the Five Roads area just outside Llanelli and I have two questions!

1. Is there anyone I can talk to about potential work  or helpful experience in the area on a nearby farm with regards to lambing (Never done it before but id absolutely love to get stuck in) or any other farm hand work that i could help out with e.g horses, pigs, mucking out, sheep, goats or cows.

2. Who are my local farmers/ smallholders that would be able to tell me a bit more about their sheep/ what land they are best suited to / qualities/ pros and cons etc and what stock they my have available for sale in the next few months?


Would really appreciate any help and advice , this group has been so helpful and i really am looking forward to starting my new life in SW with my lovely family  !

Thanks ,

Fahran

[tommytink]

I’m South Wales but not that close to where you’ll be. If you’re lucky, depending on the area you move to, you may find a farmer local to you that you could get to know. If you’re on Facebook maybe join groups local to where you’ll be and put some feelers out?

[Kiran]

I'm in Swansea, so basically next door. Unfortunately we're very much only just getting started/finding our feet. Most of our work has been put into getting the place to a point where it can be used again due to a fair period of neglect.

Just thought I'd say hi and welcome to Wales

[SallyintNorth]

So exciting!   

[member=26580]Backinwellies[/member] is not far from that area, I think, and would be your best bet (if the timing works for when she lambs.)  (I am sure she won't be huffy if you've decided Llanwenogs don't float your boat )

Otherwise, if no-one on here has anything suitable at the right time, would be worth looking at what WWOOF hosts are around.  I think there should be several in that general area, hopefully some with sheep, and who lamb late!

[Backinwellies]

So exciting!   
[member=26580]Backinwellies[/member] is not far from that area, I think, and would be your best bet (if the timing works for when she lambs.)  (I am sure she won't be huffy if you've decided Llanwenogs don't float your boat )

Hi
Yes I'm not too far from there ....come and visit...... happy to have a chat any time ..... most sheep have already lambed (I've cut right back.)  . What do you mean SiN..... are there any other breeds than Llanwenogs?     

i was only lambing 8 this year .... and with one dying and 2 still to lamb I already have 11 lambs!  Oh and only 2 of those are boys!        Also  one of two still to lamb has had 2 sets of quads in last 4 years too!  so much for cutting back!!!!   

[SallyintNorth]

What do you mean SiN..... are there any other breeds than Llanwenogs?     

 

Only Shetlands  

[Fleecewife]

What do you mean SiN..... are there any other breeds than Llanwenogs?     

 

Only Shetlands

Whaaat!  What about Norfolk Horns?  And White faced Woodlands? And Jacobs?  And Blue Faced Leicesters?  And Blackies? And Hebs?  And Shaun the Sheeps? And Lincoln Longwools?  Shetlands are poodles 

[SallyintNorth]

What do you mean SiN..... are there any other breeds than Llanwenogs?     

 

Only Shetlands

Whaaat!  What about Norfolk Horns?  And White faced Woodlands? And Jacobs?  And Blue Faced Leicesters?  And Blackies? And Hebs?  And Shaun the Sheeps? And Lincoln Longwools?  Shetlands are poodles 

Fight!  Fight!  Fight!   

[FahransFeathers]

haha thankyou everyone for responding so fast again! sorry for my late reply though it has been a hectic few days!

[member=26580]Backinwellies[/member]  where abouts are you in SW? I'd definitely like to come to visit you if you'd be alright with that once we are settled in! If you could message me that would be fab!


I know most people will have lambed already or will be just about done by the time we move but i'd like to get stuck in and get a feel for what it will potentially be like having my own and learning to care for them! 
Llanwennogs sound as though they are some folks preferred breed, i'd definitely like to if i can get some that are suited to the area we'd be in as they'll be used to the climate and the grass conditions etc.

I recently purchased the Tim Tyne book and so far its a very interesting and informative read! i'll have to keep doing my research for definite though!
What do you all recommend is a good number of sheep to start with and what ages?
Is it best to get young lambs so they are okay with being handled or are sheep just weird and will only come to you when they feel they like and trust you?
 we will have 35 acres total but i know some are going to be for my veg garden/orchard plans, my chickens and our 3 horses and 2 donkeys so they'd have plenty of space still to share. Is it better to rotate the grazing like you would do with horses and chickens?
do sheep eat brambles also??

thanks!

[Anke]

If you are moving there, I would recommend buying a dozen or so store lambs (of the local breed) and see how you get on with them over winter. If they are females and looking good by spring, you can always keep back a few and start breeding from there. If you don't like them (or the breed) you can quickly put them in the freezer and get something else to breed with for the autumn.


One word of advice - if the land you are buying has not had sheep on in the last year or so (but even if it did) I would definitely treat any you are buying for worms and fluke BEFORE they ever set foot on any of your fields. Keep them confined to an area that will not be a sheep field (like your vegetable garden for example) and only let them out onto your proper pasture once they test zero. Unless you see them done by the seller, don't assume that they were dosed.



I also would not buy in a mart as a newcomer (to both the area and sheepkeeping in general).


If you are looking for a smaller breed of sheep then you cannot go wrong with a Shetland - you will have someone local breeding in South Wales, smaller flocks are usually bucket trained (and the lambs learn very quickly too), they make much better hogget than any lamb you get from a fast-growing texel cross and you can manouvre the carcass by one person if you want to homekill. They lamb easily and by themselves outside (no sheds needed ever), do very well on grass and hay, with feed only necessary during last 4 weks of pregnancy and possibly a month or so after lambing... the list goes on...


But you do need good fences...

[twizzel]

To follow on Anke’s good advice on worming- use a quarantine drench (Zolvix) to ensure no resistant worms come onto your land, and keep off land for 48 hours minimum after treatment. And treat for scab., and fluke. Basically assume you’re buying scabby, fluke and resistant worm ridden sheep 

[Backinwellies]

   I'm in Talley  , north of Llandeilo.   happy to have you over and if you fall in love with Llanwenogs (and why not Fleecewife   )    I could probably get you a few together to start with.

Are you going to wonderwool?

[FahransFeathers]

Oh wow that's so close to us!

What on earth is wonderwool??

[Backinwellies]

google   royal Welsh showground and see what is on .....  wonderwool  show and the smallholding show were a must when I first moved here