[waterbuffalofarmer]

Yesterday I picked up the lleyn ram I reserved 2 weeks ago, he is gorgeous. I put him in with the ewes today, hopefully all goes well. He has very good genetics, I'm hoping his lambs will have very good confirmation and then they'll be worth more. 

[devonlady]

 

[Slimjim]

Excellent news! I saw a big Lleyn ram in the flesh for the first time a few weeks ago and you are right, they are magnificent. I'm sure he will do well.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

He's not a massive ram though, he is medium sized because the ewes are traditional, so we want to keep the rams medium. I try to keep traditional Lleyns and not the pumped up ones, I always think traditional are better and are more flavoursome. It is a rather nervous waiting game though, to see what sorta lambs he gives. I might buy some ewe lambs off this guy, as lambs, because they are good sheep he has. So I might be rearing over 20 pet week old ewe lambs next march, plus my own, thankfully I've done it all before. they'll be a valuable addition to the flock though.

[Me]

I agree with the first part entirely and also like the medium/modest sized Lleyn but what is the point of buying in the rubbish from a good flock? Clearly you are buying crap genetics with your 20 pets? I know another Lleyn flock that kept a lot of pets years ago and regret it.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Ah but the thing is his ewe lambs are top quality its just he can't rear the triplets, so he has to sell them, otherwise he would keep them. You should see his flock absoloutely gorgeous and his rams look very good.

[Porterlauren]

Buying lambs from ewes that can't rear their lambs, in order to get ewes . . . . that can rear their lambs?

[Hellybee]

We have at least 15 ewe pet lambs over the last coming up to six years and theyre terrific mothers.  Even as rookies they took to it like a duck to water.  Then there's others that have been raised on they're dam and they're bloody nuts, I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to be honest. Nature is a curious thing....

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I totally agree hellybee. I reared a flock of pets, some of the best mothers ever with good lambs. I always find the pet ewe lambs are worth keeping due to the fact you can shear and dose them easier, even milk them, and they're the best mothers too. So pet lambs all the way.

[devonlady]

True! I was watching a neighbour screaming and whistling at his dogs a few days ago to get his sheep in order, whilst mine were queueing up for saffron cake. Which is easier?

[Hellybee]

Call me a saddo but our three yo pet lamb ewe Eve still does a milk nudge softly on my chin when we greet each other. Silly I know 

[Ladygrey]

Congrats on your new ram  hopefully he does well for you

I kept some bottle lambs as ewes 3 years ago, regret it 100% they arent afraid of the dogs, they dont move when you shoo them, when you have a group of ewes all walking in one direction nicely to another field the bloody things turn around and walk back towards me and then the whole group breaks up  they have no respect,

I would rather a whole flock of ewes which I have to move with a dog then 10 that come running up and mob me at the gate when I try and walk into the field

Also one of them rejected her lambs, we can never be garenteed that they have all just been a triplet lamb taken off the ewe, I know of a good few farmers who just say that to all the people picking up bottle lambs, or even honest farmers who arent sure which lamb is which after they have all been put in the cade pen

[waterbuffalofarmer]

this guy we bought the ram off is unlike any farmer I've met he makes sure all the ewes have bonded and he weighs all the lambs at birth, plus he keeps a close eye on his ewes and whenever he notices one has three he removes the third one straightaway.

[Hellybee]

I wouldn't be without them personally 

[gadge]

good looks don't mean good genetics..