[Greenmoor]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about the commercial value of Greyface Dartmoor sheep?

We already keep a small flock of 21 Mules, but I really like the look of the GfD and would love to keep a few.  Hubs is a bit more head driven than heart(!) and claims they're worthless.

Anybody got any thoughts?

Gemma x

[Hazelwood Flock]

They produce useful meat lambs when put to charollais, Poll Dorset etc. The ewes are quite high maintainance needing their udders trimmed before lambing and they do get stuck on their backs when in full fleece and heavy in lamb. First cross GFD/Poll  Dorset females put back to charollais work even better and don't have the wool issues like pure GFDs. Keep a few GFD ewes to breed cross ewes from then you can have the best of everything!

[Bramblecot]

I have not found a use for the fleece yet, but lambs make a good size, the meat is lovely and the skins make beautiful rugs.  Mine have lovely temperaments but are a bit high maintenance (like their owner )

[Small Farmer]

Pure bred GFD meat is nothing to write home about until it's over a year old when it is really tasty.  However they're slow growers so we've been crossing with a southdown which has given us faster growing lambs with a nice temperament.


You have to like the GFD for its nature and put up with the extra work.  I can't really recommend them except for temperament.  I agree with Hazlewood

[Blinkers]

I'd love to see what a GFD crossed with a Blue Faced Leicester comes out like    and I wonder what the fleece would be like 

[Blackbird]

I'm going to try and weave the fleece from my GFD lambs into a rug, using a peg loom. Never tried anything like it before, but will post pix of my efforts (unless too hideous or laughable!). They have the loveliest temperament but mine certainly have feet and bum issues!

[Greenmoor]

Thanks for your replies everyone  , some good points to think about there, I'll definitely give all of the points some consideration ). 

Say no more on feet issues - our mules have really struggled with all the wet weather so the grass is endlessly soaking (and a little on the long side as we had no stock on for the first quarter of the year). 

Good luck with your rug Blackbird!

Gemma

[plt102]

I agree with the feet and bum issues and watch out for fly strike. They are by far the prettiest, friendliest and easy to handle. We got gfd cross shetland lambs born this year and they are brilliant. Looking forward to lamb chops!

[Greenmoor]

Literally just walked through the door from helping a friend with flystrike on a lamb.  First time I've seen it in the flesh (poor choice of words?!!).  Poor little thing  .

Your lambs sound very nice plt102 

[Mallows Flock]

I agree with the feet and bum issues and watch out for fly strike. They are by far the prettiest, friendliest and easy to handle. We got gfd cross shetland lambs born this year and they are brilliant. Looking forward to lamb chops!

oooh... do you have any piccies of GFD  x Shetland lambs? Would love, love, love to see!

[Bramblecot]

I agree with the feet and bum issues and watch out for fly strike. They are by far the prettiest, friendliest and easy to handle. We got gfd cross shetland lambs born this year and they are brilliant. Looking forward to lamb chops!

oooh... do you have any piccies of GFD  x Shetland lambs? Would love, love, love to see!

Me too.  OH wants to try GFD X Shetland this year

[Blackbird]

Would also love to know what they look like - they could potentially be my ideal sheep!

[SteveHants]

I'd love to see what a GFD crossed with a Blue Faced Leicester comes out like    and I wonder what the fleece would be like 

I think that would be my 'nightmare sheep'....


A really wooly sheep that is 'half-hardy' and loves to die.

[Blinkers]

I'd love to see what a GFD crossed with a Blue Faced Leicester comes out like    and I wonder what the fleece would be like 

I think that would be my 'nightmare sheep'....
A really wooly sheep that is 'half-hardy' and loves to die.

 

[Greenmoor]

Well, none of you managed to put me off (I'm grateful for the advice on what to expect) and OH has agreed to me getting a few GFD     Actually, I do believe his words were "Do what you want, you will anyway", but that's by the by 

So next task is to find some!

Thanks again for all the advice 

Gemma