We moved to Shropshire in 2004 primarily to get a property with land for our horses at a cheaper price than what we'd expect to pay in the crowded south east - and also to get away from the crowded south east! We started off with a horse and two ponies, and now 7 years later have 6 horses and ponies, 2 pigs, 23 sheep, 5 dogs and 2 cats. Did have 5 geese but the fox got them .. :-(. I'm the main 'farmer' (hubby is more of a veg patch man) and from knowing nowt about livestock have learned a lot on the way (still learning of course!).
I absolutely love our life here in the country and for the last four years have bred lambs for market. I was talked into that as originally I got a few cade lambs from a friend to help eat the grass, was then talked into getting a ram by a farmer friend, and now have 3 rams and 18 breeding ewes. I also have two pet Kune Kune pigs called Polly and Ernie.
My sheep consist of my original cades who are 2 wethers, and 3 mules/crosses (I sadly lost an adult mule for reasons unknown). My first ram is a pedigree Ryeland and he has produced some very good lambs. I added 5 pedigree Charollais to the breeding stock. Then decided I'd like some coloured sheep so this year got 4 Gotland and 3 Zwartbles ewe lambs, and 2 (hopefully) in-lamb Herdwicks who are wild as heck! I also bought Gotland and Zwartbles ram lambs. Another addition to the ewe lamb flock was one of this year's lambs who was rejected by her mum.
My absolute favourites are the Gotlands, I've never known such friendly sheep and I can spend ages in the field with them - they follow me round like dogs! The Zwartbles are also pretty friendly.
Oh and I do have 3 grown up kids, a grandson and 3 others on the way ...
Topic: Hello from a smallholder who seems to be getting bigger each year! (Read 4585 times)