[Fieldfare]

...just looking through my pictures and thought you might like to see this one taken during the summer 

[Brucklay]

Yes Fieldfare they look lovely - are they now in lamb?

[Fieldfare]

Hi- yes I hope so! I have had a ram lamb in with them since early Dec. so fingers crossed 

[SallyintNorth]

Lovely pic- lovely sheep 

Thanks for posting 

[Brucklay]

You must be so I'm new to CM and have a few lambs and 2 gimmers - they have been in with a ram lamb since Nov. - seen him trying but that's about it - do your girls look like they are putting on weight or the slim sylph little beasties they always are

[Fieldfare]

Hi Brucklay- I think it can be difficult to tell with CM's. They are very 'wild-type'- so 'designed' to get away from predators whilst pregnant and have small lambs and usually on 1's or 2's so I think most won't show much until later in gestation (one or two do look a bit 'chunkier' but they have more wool at this time of year so that confuses it also). I think as long as the ram lamb has his tackle and is fertile then he will 'do the job' although maybe it takes him a few goes to perfect the technique. I believe ewes cycle every 12 days so he has had plenty of chances by now! This is my 1st year lambing- I am hoping they are as easy lambing as people say.  I think that if the ewe is ready she will allow him- nature is very clever and has a few tricks up her sleeve to help out- pheromones, innate behaviours etc.- I'd be very suprised if any of my 5 are not in lamb by now.

cheers

[Tilly]

Hi Fieldfare
Lovely summer picture 

I think you are right the "primitive" type  do normally lamb a lot easier than the domesticated type  ,-and they are far more independent usually.

Tilly

[darkbrowneggs]

Lovely looking sheep, and in good condition too.  I hope they do well for you 

[feldar]

I have to say they are a very "elegant" breed of sheep, I know very little about rare breeds being used to my cuddly hamps, but these do float- my- boat. are they easy sheep to care for?

[tizaala]

They look lovely,  our flock of 8 will soon be 17 if the scanner did his job right.  We love the CM's as they are so undemanding and easy to look after , as our first venture into sheep we are very happy with them.

[Fieldfare]

Hi Feldar- yes they (so far!) are easy to care for. Seem not be inclined to escape as long as there is grass. Seem to be pretty healthy- good black feet. They are friendly-ish- but still retain a bit of 'wildness'. A little squirmy and boney to shear (could do with a 2nd pair of hands). Once sheared they look like antelope- see pictures. Good at browsing and weed control (love docks!). Saw my ram lamb 'properly' mate with a ewe today (which suggests she wasn't pregnant yet??). If a sheep could design itself- I'm sure it would be choose a design similar to the Castlemilk