[BacheBrook]

I Know I'm majorly early but i like to plan ahead

next autumn I'm getting my ryelands!!!!!!! as I'm currently prepping the farm at the moment for them ( i.e fencing, stabling, all the equipment, hurdles, water etc! started from nothing so need to buy it all :S)

I'm going to buy about 5 as a starter flock, but my dilemma is, do i buy them from the annual sale in august and then have to worry about finding a Tup and tupping them, or do you think if i approach the breeders that i like from the show season ( mainly Royal Welsh) and see what they plan to sell at the sale and then maybe for a bit extra ask them to put them in lamb for me! so i don't have to worry about finding/buying a Tup and tupping them myself!!

there are many local breeders around me as ryelands are my local breed, originally bred by the monk of leominster on the rye grass so they don't have to worry about them travelling far when in lamb as i know that can stress the ewe out causing problems

i know many of you are prolific ryeland breeders so I'm calling for your advice!

Would breeders put them in lamb for me for some extra cash?? or am i best doing it myself 

 

much love to you all 

[ellisr]

My honest opinion is to have a ram.

I keep my ram in all year as ryelands only breed once a year and I now know when they will be due as it is pretty much the same ever year and they all lamb within a week or 2.

I run a very relaxed holding but lambing always is a dream with my lot.

[BacheBrook]

i plan to have a ram, just not in the first year as i don't really want to worry about tupping as i will still be working on the farm ( as i call it, its just a field really lol ) and still learning lol, but thanks for the advice, i think that's what i will have to do, which means ill have to save up more money to be able to purchase him

xx

[ellisr]

If you get him young he shouldn't be too expensive unless you are going to try and get something from the Ruslin line or similar. Most small breeders will sell you youngsters at reasonable prices

[Fleecewife]

I don't know anything about Ryelands in particular, but most potential customers approach me to buy Hebs well in advance of them being ready, and often before the lambs are even born.  I might be able to get a bit more money by selling them through the ring, but I prefer to sell direct to people I have met.  So if things are similar amongst Ryeland breeders, and if you were to approach your favoured breeders now you could discuss your plans and they could set aside the animals you want.

We keep a number of tups so it is possible to tup shearling ewes for customers, but if your breeders have only one tup then he will be your lambs' sire.  So it is worth discussing the possibilities with them - they may or may not be able to oblige.

Also be open about what you want, and if you change your mind about buying from them then let them know as soon as you know.

You would pay a tupping fee, which would cover the keep for the ewes until you collect them.

[VSS]

The biggest advantage of buying from the annual sale is that you get a much wider choice of sheep than you would do if you bought from one breeder. There is generally something there to suit all budgets, from top quality show stock through to good, honest, everyday ewes. There are also loads of other Ryeland breeders there who you can chat to to ask advice and opinions.
Generally a good choice of tups too - if you are looking for a bargain, then the senior rams are often a good bet. Or if you are only looking for 5 ewes, a ram lamb (so long as he is reasonably early born) would probably do the job.

It is a great day out even if you don't buy anything!

[katie]

We bought our first three Wiltshire horn ewes already in lamb. The breeder didn't charge us extra.It worked for us - one fewer thing to worry about.We also would have been hard-pressed to find a spare field to put a ram in at this time. Lambing was easy, our confidence increased and we bought a ram the next year.

[SteveHants]

I don't know about Ryleands specifically, but I do know hat in general people do sell in-lamb ewes.

I know the feller I got my Wilts Horns off does it - although I didn't buy any like that.

You might well get an older ram for cheap, and it may be a good buy if you only have a few for him to tup. Equally, if its your first time with sheep, you may be better off buying ewes that have lambed at least once as first lambings are more prone to complications.

[BacheBrook]

thanks for your advice guys , i think ill speak to the breed society when i register and talk to some of the breeders! if not role on august bank holiday where i will be buing 5 ewes and 1 tup major shopping spree!!

just thank god ryeland rams dont go for the 50,000 mark like some breeds (texel,swaledale etc)

thanks people xx

[ellisr]

It is a shame that Ryelands don't reach good prices as I love the breed, they are so docile and easy to handle and have the most amazing fleece. I have the added bonus that my ram loves a cuddle and most of the girls will pop over for a head scratch when I am working in the field.
They are well suited to being with my horse as they move slower and the horse doesn't mind them being around because of this, he now won't be parted from one of my shearlings and they even go into the stable together at night.

[Cinderhills]

They are well suited to being with my horse as they move slower and the horse doesn't mind them being around because of this, he now won't be parted from one of my shearlings and they even go into the stable together at night.

I would love to see that!  I thought it great that my tup and ram lamb love to go into the goat house but shearling and horse would be something else. 

[Hazelwood Flock]

You could always borrow a ram rather than buy one, my rams often go out 'on holiday' to other flocks where keeping a ram is impractical.

[BacheBrook]

I don't think it'll be impractical just think it will be easier for my first year of sheep keeping to have them in lamb haha even though I will end up buying one I spect as there cute

[Moleskins]

or am i best doing it myself 

 

I would definitely buy a tup !!
Seriously though I have some Ryelands and my quick advice is to buy a tup, mine cost £50 as a lamb and he's very tame and docile. He didn't do too well his first year but has got the hang of it now.
I wouldn't go for in lamb Ryelands, I bought two and they both lost the lambs, moving home is stressful and they don't do stress too well.

[wellies]

I have 5 Ryeland ewes and a tup and I couldn't be happier with them. The tup is a delight and the girls are very laid back too, can't recommend the breed highly enough. They have been my first sheep and I am thrilled with them, great for the beginner.