[r.ewe.sheepish]

 
Hi everyone
 
 i need some advice i am the youngest of 3 who run a 300 acre dairy farm so farming is very much in my blood and i thrive on it the problem i have is the mother in law but not just the mother in law;D The mrs and i have acess to 10 acres owned by the MIL and she has decided to let us farm it better than it currently has been ( 3 ponies grazing it and a cut if hay a year) so this is the idea i had
 roughly between 10-20 sheep (is this enough)

 of a native breed thats not constantly on a mission to escape

 
that is also happy to be bucket trained and is dosile enough to be approched by young ladies a 5 year old and a 2 year old (daughters)

 Now the serious bit  time for me is not a problem in the slightest what ever needs to be done will be done but they will be expected to earn there keep and pay there way obviously through lamb
 please tell me if this idea has any bones and aLL SUGGESTIONS ARE MOST WELCOME

hugo and morwenna
 

[Shnoowie]

I am very biased, but would recommend Ryelands as they are not as large as most sheep, and due to short legs aren't keen on escaping!  We have 12 and they are lovely, though some shearers aren't keen on them as they have copious amounts of wool!  They lamb easily on their own and can have twins easily.
They have not long come off the rare breeds register, and so have made quite a come back.

However, there are other breeds to consider - Shetlands are very petite and sweet.  Lots of members of this forum keep different varieties of sheep and will be able to give you more of an insight!

[bamford6]

i would get some rare breeds .the more you spend the better .i have 200 rare breeds they lambd 180 the return was 65 a head iff you go cheaper £35 build up to you're numbers

[onnyview]

Oh dear, everyone's going to have their favourite!

I'd recommend Hill Radnors. They are very laid back, will eat almost anything, 155% lambing rate and the lambs are around 40kilos at 6-7 mths. They have a good quality fleece. They also have good feet. The flock book society doesn't have the greatest online presence so if you want more info just ask!


Allison

[waterhouse]

We bought some commercial cross sheep for our first year 'cos we didn't know whether it would work for us and didn't know anything about sheep.  Basically we could bale-out without too much trouble or cash.  We also went to lots of shows and sales, and we visited local flocks to decide what we wanted.  But we don't live in sheep country so it all took a while.

I don't see any other way of doing it unless there's a family history.  We found people at the auction shows really helpful and would tell you all the stuff which isn't in the books.  My favourite "They lamb well out of doors.  Well, you have to lamb them out of doors because they'll destroy any building they're confined in".   

[garden cottage]

I would go down the grass fed beef route and not bother with sheep if  you want to have any return.

[andywalt]

Ohhh  Waterhouse tell us more please about the sheep that have to be lambed outdoors please Im intrigued !


andy

[waterhouse]

I think it would be unfair on the breed in question which has many sterling qualities and was our preferred choice until we went to the breed society and show.  I marched up to friendly looking people and said "why do you have **'s" and the usual response was "my dad had them and we like a few around the farm".  You then get into conversation and some of the detail emerges.

At some shows you see young (and not so young) ladies showing off their pride and joy as the docile sheep smile winningly at the judge.  This one was more well muscled young farmers wrestling sheep that weighed more then them and were better armed.

[VSS]

I am very biased, but would recommend Ryelands as they are not as large as most sheep, and due to short legs aren't keen on escaping!  We have 12 and they are lovely, though some shearers aren't keen on them as they have copious amounts of wool!  They lamb easily on their own and can have twins easily.
They have not long come off the rare breeds register, and so have made quite a come back.

However, there are other breeds to consider - Shetlands are very petite and sweet.  Lots of members of this forum keep different varieties of sheep and will be able to give you more of an insight!

I would agree that Ryelands are really easy to handle and very laid back. Certainly no problem with approaching them in the fields.

Shetlands - you might have more of a problem with.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Do also consider shearing , if hand shearing something small like Shetland or Ouessant is going to be a lot easier to shear (esp if solo) than a big breed. I managed 15 Shetlands last year by hand. They are no less tame than other breeds if they are bucket trained (they are very greedy) but they do need reasonable fencing. Delicious meat.

On the other hand you might want a big gorgeous teddy bear, in which case it's Ryelands all the way!

[waterhouse]

Have to disagree.  The Greyface Dartmoor is the definitive teddy bear!