[crimson]

Which breeds are the least hassle basically?

[Me]

Welsh, Easycare... no sheep is no hastle!

[Big Light]

Hebrideans with the bonus that they taste fantastic

[Bionic]

It depends on what you mean by hassle. The all need drenches, injections, feet checks, dagging, fly strike prevention etc.
Some are just probably easy to handle when you do those chores than others.

[Tim W]

Some need less drenching/footcare/wool care/mothering up/feed/mineral inputs than others and it is often as much down to where/who you source sheep from than the breed you get

If you source from a dedicated breeder who records all the traits and culls heavily on failure for desirable traits then you will get low maintenance sheep

[trish.farm]

When someone creates a "no hassle sheep" they will make some serious money!!!!  I will put my name down for a starter flock!! 

No sheep is no hassle!!!  Believe me!!!

[crimson]

If you source from a dedicated breeder who records all the traits and culls heavily on failure for desirable traits then you will get low maintenance sheep

That would be quite hard, i guess you need good contacts

[MarvinH]

Other than what Tim says I beleive stocking density has a lot to do with it.

[Me]

Yep zero per acre = no hassle

[Tim W]

If you source from a dedicated breeder who records all the traits and culls heavily on failure for desirable traits then you will get low maintenance sheep

That would be quite hard, i guess you need good contacts

So what are the problem traits?

Lambing problems? I cull anything that needs assistance and it's offspring
Mis mothering? As above
Feet problems? Anything ever needs treating/trimming gets culled
Worms? HIgh FEC BEV animals get culled too

Etc etc---there are people who do it.
It is hard the first few years but after that most problems have dissapeared

But minimal does not = no maintenance

[shotblastuk]

If you source from a dedicated breeder who records all the traits and culls heavily on failure for desirable traits then you will get low maintenance sheep

That would be quite hard, i guess you need good contacts

So what are the problem traits?

Lambing problems? I cull anything that needs assistance and it's offspring
Mis mothering? As above
Feet problems? Anything ever needs treating/trimming gets culled
Worms? HIgh FEC BEV animals get culled too

Etc etc---there are people who do it.
It is hard the first few years but after that most problems have dissapeared

But minimal does not = no maintenance


Excellent theory in a commercial flock, It would perhaps need to be a little less ruthless and gradual in a rare breeds flock where breeding stock are a little thinner on the ground.

[devonlad]

Your original question was asking whether there were any breeds that were "least hassle" and whilst many have said quite rightly that there is no such thing as a no hassle sheep I'm not sure you were asking for that. When we started as complete novices about 5 years ago we were after something that would enable us to continue with our full time jobs and anything that lessened the amount of maintenance needed was a blessing. We opted for Wiltshire Horn initially, drawn to the fact that they did not require shearing. That's one less thing to worry about we thought. In the years we have had them we have never had to shear or dag and whilst all the other tasks like drenching, foot care etc. still take up much of our time in our busy lives even one or two less tasks is a real bonus. Over time as Tim has said we can reduce the amount of labour still further by keeping those that require less hassle and ditching the remainder but when we first started we only had 3 and did not have the luxury to ditch anything less than perfect. having bred from them and offspring several times this was the first year we could start being more selective and move forward with those who thrive easily. Ease of handling comes with smaller flocks I believe and ours are so easy to handle due largely to a bit of the personal touch coupled with the greatest invention known to the small (or big) shepherd- sheep hurdles

[Backinwellies]

All animals are 'hassle' unless you love them .......... you have to choose what you like ............. my collie is dancing around me chasing flies knocking things over and is much hassle ........but she is lovely and I wouldn't change the breed for a lazy (much less hassle) Lab if you paid me!     Go to shows look at breeds choose 3 you like then ask what their individual 'problems' are.

[Hellybee]

Stock density, they're feet, they're attitude to being handled, mothering traits, hardiness and suitability to the land.   


Talk to local farmers, see what they say xx

[mowhaugh]

Go to shows look at breeds choose 3 you like then ask what their individual 'problems' are.

Good advice.