[lesbri]

Ive been lurking on this great forum for quite a while, having started with sheep last year, and have found it incredibly helpful to read all the information from you knowledgeable people. Would be very grateful indeed for any input on my dilemma!

As my title suggests, has anyone tried this cross before? Opinions on whether its a good/bad/laughable idea? There would be just 2 ewes to cover, both of whom have lambed without problems before. I also have 3 shearling ryeland cross ewes who havent lambed before, Im guessing it would be better to use a smaller tup for their first time?

Any input much appreciated 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

No I have never tried to cross them. However I have crossed Zwarbles with wenslydale/milksheep/friesland/Lleyn sheep before. The meat was some of the best meat I have ever tasted.
Good luck with it and I hope all goes well.

[Marches Farmer]

Where are you?  We do Southdown ram hire.

[lesbri]

Thanks Marches Farmer but I have got a ryeland/icelandic tup lamb which I can use on my girls. I used this combination last year and produced lovely lambs.  Its just that I was given a zwartbles tup lamb and was wondering what sort of lambs would be produced from using him. Im in north Cambridgeshire btw so quite a way away from you in any case!

[Blinkers]

Go for it  .  I've got purebreds and Xbreds and they cross fantastically with everything I've put them to.  Nice big carcase, fast growing and lean.   Perfect.

[lesbri]

Thanks Blinkers, sounding good! Would you put him to shearling first timers (ryeland crosses) or would the lambs be a bit big for them do you think?