I know I could never be part of a co-op as I'm too independant-minded and bolshy
Same for my OH
We have been searching for an alternative way to have help with our smallholding, but so far the best is our local smallholding group, where we do help eachother out with big things like haymaking, putting on roofs and so on. OH says he was listening to a radio talk about living in a commune - those who have done it said that far from having to be kind and thoughtful to everyone, you actually have to be hard and brutal to survive, otherwise you just get trampled on - interesting. I know you are just contemplating a co-op not a commune BR. My main thought with that is that too much time is spent on reaching decisions, so it's better to have one person who is the leader.
For choosing which breed of sheep to have - well, obviously Hebrideans have a special link with Windermere, so that gives them a head start for you. Some people find them too feisty, but we have found that lambs born on our holding are becoming more amenable with each year, so that our flock is perfectly manageable. We are gentle when we handle them and most of the time they get to do what they want to, which includes unzipping our pockets to look for biscuits.
All the primitives are very tasty, each in their own way, so there is little to choose between them for eating. A smaller carcase is more use for a small family than a huge one which ends up with wastage.
Rarity value is relevant if you want a rarer breed. Shetlands are very numerous now (as well as being a commercial breed in their home islands) although they have plenty of other traits to recommend them. Boreray are extremely rare and could do with as many new flocks as they can get. The Soay and Boreray Sheep Soc looks after them, and stock can be obtained from Julie Suffolk who lives near Macclesfield. Hebrideans are now quite numerous, except for the multi-horns and other older types, which are only just hanging in there, so in a way they are a rare breed within a traditional breed.
Products- we have looked at meat, but the other main product is wool. Shetlands have by far the most versatile fleece, both for colour and texture; I love the double Hebridean fleece and spin and knit it every day; Boreray fleece is coarser and difficult to catch before it roos itself. Remember that the wool has to be spun before your sister can knit it. Either one of you will need to learn to spin (
) or you will need to collect up enough for a mill run, usually about 20-25kgs, and save up to pay for it - looks like learning to spin then
It is well worth spending some time looking at the breeds you are contemplating and hearing different opinions. Many breeders are happy to show you round and answer any questions you have - you are welcome to visit here for example. You can then work out what is right for you and your situation. Often starting with Shetlands is a good idea as they are easy to manage in general, there are plenty to choose from, they are tasty and you can use the fleece. On the downside, they are not particularly exciting to look at, whereas Hebrideans are pretty spectacular, especially those with lots of horns.
There are more considerations for choosing a breed but I need to go and put dinner on the table
Sorry if this is in the wrong section on here.
Has anyone ever set up or been part of a co-op owning and rearing livestock?
I'd really like to have some sheep, but I would find it hard to do all the necessary work on my own and I'd quite like someone elses input into owning them.
How would you go about setting it up and finding willing 'victims' as mad as me?