Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: how many sheep can I have???  (Read 13080 times)

woodywood

  • Joined Feb 2009
how many sheep can I have???
« on: February 27, 2009, 10:14:42 pm »
I only have about 1 acre of land but I would love to have some Ryland sheep.  How many should I get?  I have never kept sheep before but I have a couple of friends who have.  In the longer term I'm hoping they will have lambs which we will rear and sell on for meat?  Help..... I feel a bit lost!!!!

kaz

  • Joined Jul 2008
  • Ceredigion
  • Dust yourself off when life throws you down.
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2009, 07:14:40 pm »
The norm per acre is 3-5, but you must be able to rotate them onto fresh pasture.
I have Ryelands,to date 18 lambs in the last 2 weeks. :) :) :sheep: :sheep:
Penybont Ryelands. Ystwyth Coloured Ryelands.  2 alpacas, 2 angora goats, 2 anglo nubian kids, 3golden retrievers a collie and a red fox labrador retriever, geese, ducks & chickens.

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2009, 08:15:15 pm »
I have Ryelands - three and four on the way, but I'm not counting until they are hatched!

derbyshirenovices

  • Joined Jan 2009
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2009, 09:25:39 am »
We have just started ourselves with two Ryeland ewe lambs on just over an acre. People have told us that there's enough room for four but on reflection it makes sense to us to have started with the two - as and when they have lambs that could be up to six for a time. I guess with the extra grass in the summer that would be OK.

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2009, 04:23:10 pm »
We've effectively got four paddocks. Managing the grass is a challenge. Last summer, we had to cut the grass as the three couldn't keep up with it. This year, I'm going to graze more tightly and rotate better.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2009, 04:51:46 pm »
Just back from visit to are near Jane's - is that Rylands she has - hey look similar to yours?
Are we still going to do that next lunch?  Seems ages since the last one and it was such fun!
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2009, 03:19:22 pm »
Jane bred my Ryelands - they are from the Sheriffyards flock.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2009, 03:57:33 pm »
Ryelands
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

kaz

  • Joined Jul 2008
  • Ceredigion
  • Dust yourself off when life throws you down.
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2009, 08:52:22 pm »
They look a bit bogged down. I thought it got muddy here with my Ryelands.
Penybont Ryelands. Ystwyth Coloured Ryelands.  2 alpacas, 2 angora goats, 2 anglo nubian kids, 3golden retrievers a collie and a red fox labrador retriever, geese, ducks & chickens.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2009, 09:34:51 pm »
No that's not mud - it's rough undergrowth from trees being taken down.  It was bone dry
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

kaz

  • Joined Jul 2008
  • Ceredigion
  • Dust yourself off when life throws you down.
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2009, 02:40:22 pm »
Here's some of last years ewe lambs with baby sitter.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2009, 02:43:30 pm by kaz »
Penybont Ryelands. Ystwyth Coloured Ryelands.  2 alpacas, 2 angora goats, 2 anglo nubian kids, 3golden retrievers a collie and a red fox labrador retriever, geese, ducks & chickens.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2009, 02:44:02 pm »
I think they look so cuddly - like dark brown teddy bears - I couldn't possibly eat any of my own.  What a wimp I am! :-[ :-[
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2009, 09:49:48 pm »
The one in the middle looking at the camera is just like Juno - same shape of legs. I'm so glad she's not deformed!!

kaz

  • Joined Jul 2008
  • Ceredigion
  • Dust yourself off when life throws you down.
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2009, 08:33:16 am »
They can look knock kneed some more pronounced than others, but that is the breed, and I wouldn't change them for the world. ;D ;D
Penybont Ryelands. Ystwyth Coloured Ryelands.  2 alpacas, 2 angora goats, 2 anglo nubian kids, 3golden retrievers a collie and a red fox labrador retriever, geese, ducks & chickens.

VSS

  • Joined Jan 2009
  • Pen Llyn
    • Viable Self Sufficiency.co.uk
Re: how many sheep can I have???
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2009, 01:30:44 pm »
They're not knock knee-ed though - its just the way the wool grows down their legs.
The SHEEP Book for Smallholders
Available from the Good Life Press

www.viableselfsufficiency.co.uk

 

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2024. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS