[West Cork]

I have a 1/4 acre field of good quality and a 1/4 acre bank of reasonable quality grass. Can I keep 4 shetland sheep on this if I rotate between the two ? I am looking for more land but without success. I would really like to get the Shetlands as I have wanted them for ages !

[Hillview Farm]

I think its might be possible but from my experience its better to have to much than be tight. I believe on high quality grass the stocking rate is 4/5 sheep per acre... I think you'd had to supplement them and then that's getting expensive but having said that I think Shetlands do well on not a lot but I wont know myself. Good luck

[landroverroy]

I agree with Hillview - you're always better having a bit of grass in reserve than going short in a bad year.
If you are planning to breed from them then I would advise getting 2 ewes and then you would have sufficient grass in the first part of the year for the lambs as well.

[West Cork]

Thanks for getting back to me. I agree that too much land is preferable ! Unfortunately I haven't access to any more land (I will keep looking). I suppose the question is can they survive Ok on this amount of land (with additional feed if needed) ?

[Bramblecot]

Depends on : your area - grass growth here (heavy clay lowland) is very different from moorland or downs, how exposed is the site; are there thick hedges/trees (Shetlands will eat them).  Do you want them as pets or meat/wool? Will you want to lamb?  So many factors to consider but good luck.

[Fowlman]

I would try two ewes first year and see how the grass lasts and then decide which way to go. I keep shetlands myself and yes they will thrive on a lot less than many breeds.

[West Cork]

I plan on keeping them as pets although I may look to lamb if I can get any more land. I have a ram & ewe (unrelated) and twins (ram & ewe).

[Ladygrey]

Even though a shetland can survive on less grazing/less quality, doesnt mean that they will eat less  they will just eat all of it and become fat, then when the grass has run out they will be hungry!

So if it is 4-5 sheep to the acre, and all together your land is half an acre, I wouldnt have more than two sheep on it!, specially in the winter. If your grass is very good (again weather/time of year permitting) I would say mayyybe 3 sheep with hay in the winter. Some shetlands will refuse to eat hay and prefer to dig through the snow to eat frozen grass instead!

Shetland sheep do make lovely lovely pets and mine are very tame, they will however consume all of your trees/hedges/plants aswel as the grass, I wouldnt have lambs on this small amount of grass though, as then the ewes will need more grass and the lambs eat it aswel!

If they are just pets then two shetland wethers would be ideal!

hope this helps

[West Cork]

Thanks ! It seems as if I should not go ahead with buying them. 2 rams and 2 ewes with limited space !! Oh well I will keep looking for land to rent. Unfortunately it is very rare for Shetlands to be available for sale in this part of the world !

[Yeoman]

Also, bear in mind that at some point your stock will need to be separated into groups to control who breeds with who (or who breed at all).  This will mean that both your areas will be in demand at the same during certain periods of the year - time leaving no time for the grass to recover.
See if you can find a small local hay contractor.  He may be able to point you in the direction of someone who has a few acres you can use if it fits in with hay making. 
Hope you find something.

[Bramblecot]

I would certainly stay well clear of keeping rams.  However if they have been castrated then they will be fine to keep with the ewes and Shetlands are lovely friendly little sheep.  Around here the name for a castrated male sheep is a wether.  Best of luck

[West Cork]

Thanks for all your help. I have reluctantly decided to wait until I can lease some more land as I would like to have the option of lambing and increasing the numbers.