[PPF]

Hello all

I've recently joined this forum and introduced myself here http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=25859.0

I'd like to get myself two or three sheep.  They will help with keeping the pasture good alongside my miniature ponies, but I'd also like a breed which is easy to look after and provides good meat.  I've heard that some breeds can be very skittish and can take to jumping fences 

Any advice would be appreciated.  I also have a CPH number, but I've moved area - can I transfer it or do I have to apply for a new one?

[Templelands]

Hi!


I've got Zwartbles. They were recommended to me by a local farmer who said they were great for beginners (my vet says no sheep are good for beginners) but we have to learn somewhere dont we!


I am told they are easy to Lamb too - which I will find out next year!


Good luck - so many awesome breeds out there 

[FiB]

.. I think your setting makes a difference too - if you are good lowland pasture I guess you have lots of choices?  I'm a bit high up, so was advised to go for a mountain breed and went for Beulah and Lleyn because of their reputation as good mothers (easy/outdoor lambers) - as above, I shall see about that next spring!!!!!    The Lleyn are common around me, but I chose the Beulah cause I liked the look of them and they have  nice fleece for my spinning.  Havnt eaten one yet - but they will be slow growers with more traditional (small) chops etc.  Here's one of my Lovely Beulah...   Apart from a couple keeling over in the winter    they have been no trouble.  Very steady, haven't got into any mischief etc   and quite friendly - the opposite of flighty, I'd say.

[PPF]

Ahh, a friend has some Zwartbles and I've always thought how lovely they look.

What sort of cost are they each? 

[PPF]

Hhmm definately would like something easy as I may decide to think about breeding the odd one or two to keep up the supply.

[Templelands]

FiB what a stunner she is 


PPF - We got three Ewes with 5 lambs at foot for £800.00 - so effectively £100 each. I'm off to see a Tup tonight and think they were also advertising a small starter flock in the Market Place.

[SallyintNorth]

PPF - if you are thinking about breeding replacements, then you need a tup of the same breed, so choose a breed which makes a reasonable fat lamb when purebred.  Otherwise use a 'terminal sire' such as a Texel, Charollais or Suffolk and either keep on crossbreed replacements or buy in your replacement ewes.

[Rosemary]

We have Coloured Ryelands (hunners o' photies on the website), which we love. They are docile, friendly and produce fabulous lamb. They are good milky mothers. Generally they lamb fine (if not overfed, like any sheep). I suppose the one "drawback" is the amount of fleece, which is excellent quality but can be a bit of a pain at shearing.

[jaykay]

There will be as many answers as there are shepherds 

I always reckon 1. Keep something you like the look of or 2. Keep the local breed

1. It's always nicer looking after stock you have a particular liking for or 2. Keeping the local breed means there's lots of knowledge about them to call on, they'll be easy to get hold of and to sell.

I used to keep Rough Fells. Beautiful, friendly, calm and hardy. But very big and wool not much use. Now I keep Shetlands. Friendly, hardy, many colours, good lambers and mothers, small, excellent wool. Not as calm as Roughs.

[Blacksheep]

If you can get along to the Royal Welsh Show next week you will be able to lots of breeds, talk to breeders and see the breed society stands so you can see which breeds you like the look of and find out more about them. 
We keep Zwartbles and are on a small hill farm at 1000ft, they are a nice relatively friendly and docile breed to keep with good maternal qualities and conformation for easier lambing, and the lamb tastes delicious. (we currently have a good selection of ewe lambs for sale) But there are plenty of other breeds out there to choose from and you can't get much better than the Royal Welsh Show to see most of them!
Good Luck!

[Fronhaul]

Look at the different breeds, go to a show or two if you can or do your research on the net.  The Rare Breed Survival Trust isn't a bad starting place.  Make a short list and then reduce that list by eliminating any breeds that aren't suitable for your ground conditions and then buy the ones that please you best.  You are going to be spending many hours caring for them so buying what pleases your eye is important.

[Pedwardine]

I concur, visit shows, visit breeders, read up, know what your limitations are. We were initially torn between Zwartbles and Gotlands but settled on the latter as they and we are both relatively small which equals easier handling. Most smallholder type breeders and likely larger scale too are happy to show off their sheep to potential converts! Take your time...

[Rosemary]

And remember, if you get it wrong, you can sell them on and change breed. There's no rule that says you can't.

[Mallows Flock]

My favourites were Charollais...so I bought some.... then I liked Shetlands too.... so I bought some.... then I liked the look of Shetland x Charollais...so I bred some.... now I also like Texels (bought some) as well as Mules (bought some), bred some Texel x Mules but not until I bought Poll Dorsets, Ryelands and Poll Dorset/Ryelands as well as Charollais x Lleyn and Poll Dorset x Charolais Lleyn. My faves are still the Charollais but now I have a lovely mixed flock that I think is better than a flock of single breeds... i only wanted 3 at first too! LOL! Whatever you get, I am sure you will love and enjoy them and keep adding everytime your eye catching another exciting breed!

[Moleskins]

My tuppence worth, get one breed, sheep are racist and won't mix, well mine certainly don't, this can be a bit of a problem when you're gathering them and their in two groups at either end of the field.
Get ones you like, you're gonna get intimate with them at some point so you might as well be doing it with sheep you like !