[Jamie12]

Got myself some sheep  . They arrive next week, feeling rather nervous and excited!

[Bionic]

What did you get? And don't forget we will need piccies when they arrive 

[Jamie12]

30 mule x Suffolk ewe lambs. Only considering tupping the biggest but happy to run them all on till next year. Need to go shopping for sheep things now! I will end up buying loads I dont need ,

[shygirl]

how exciting 

[Rosemary]

Excellent  What kind of tup are you planning to use?

[Bramblecot]

That's it, you're hooked now . 
Top tips- buy as many hurdles as you can afford in one go (so they fit together properly, unlike my motley collection ), and get on good terms with your farm vet .

[Jamie12]

Potentially a charrolais. Ideas on a post card please lol

[nutterly_uts]

I reckon Zwarble All I'm hearing is good things about the lambs when they are put to most breeds of ewe - easy to lamb as narrow shoulders, nice carcasses and good growth rate and that the lambs do really well

[Jamie12]

Zwartble is a serious potential, I help with some pedigree ones and they can get me a decent mismarked chap

[SallyintNorth]

It depends what your objectives are, I guess.

If your objective is to farm them and sell fat lambs, then a conventional terminal sire would give you good lambs that should be easy to sell.  Charollais would be a good choice.    It will overcome any dopeyness from the Suffolk, and that combination should give a fast growing, cracking good fat lamb.  Make sure you get/use a tup with plenty of wool on his head, though - you don't want the lambs to be too bare.

Otherwise a Texel, I guess, but try to get one that isn't too huge in the shoulders or rump.

Just seen your post about Zwartbles... I haven't ever used Zwartbles so I don't know how the lambs would turn out.  Would they be black or white?  Until you are known as a competent producer, I'd be inclined to stick with the well-known sires, and certainly to be producing white lambs if you are planning to sell in the ring. 

[Bramblecot]

I don't want to  on anyone's parade but...
My neighbour is a professional farmer, not a soppy hobby smallholder like myself, and very experienced.  I asked how their Zwartbles got on last year and I cannot repeat the reply .  Let's just say, if you are  planning on taking them to market, and don't want a huge feed bill, maybe think again .  Just passing it on

[shep53]

 Depends as sally says what you want the lambs for / what part of the country , in Scotland if its not one of the three main breeds it will seriously affect the price 

[nutterly_uts]

Some people find the zwarbles need too much feeding but others are fine with them so I think its a bit hit and miss I love them so I'd risk it

[Jamie12]

Charollais seems the favorite ATM, having conflicting opinions on tupping ewe lambs (only the biggest will be tupped).

[Porterlauren]

I'd personally try a Charmoise, a lot of the good points of a Charollais, but real easy lambing for ewe lambs, small head etc, very good conformation, good vigour at birth, very hardy and do well on crap grazing.

Edited to add - We're putting about 30 ewe lambs to Charmoise this year, to lamb themselves outside. . . . fingers crossed!