[SallyintNorth]

Thought I might start a thread for collecting advice and thoughts on moving my fleece sheep from here on an upland farm in north Cumbria, to a smallholding in North Cornwall.

There are a few sheep I am very regretfully not taking, as I know they'd be either too hot and/or feel too constrained.  Puglet, the Icelandic x Dutch Texel, for instance, who is a real roamer.  BH is very pleased to keep her here, but I really wish I could take her!  (I'm taking her coloured Shetland x daughter, though.)

We do get ticks here, but not very many, and I haven't had to do routine tick treatments on my flock - though BH does use Spotinor on lambs in certain pastures where he's had problems in the past. 

It's not an organic holding where I'm going, but aims to live lightly, so we wouldn't use chemicals willy nilly - but would, of course, if it's the best option, when it's a welfare issue.

The holding is on higher ground, with smallish fields.  Some areas are fairly exposed and usually breezy, others more sheltered.  So I expect I'll need to protect the sheep from strike - although I've already asked about using the most exposed land for sheep grazing in summer (as I assume it would also be less productive for hay, being more exposed.)

Any other tips, advice, or thoughts, folks?

[twizzel]

It's pretty wet and miserable down here in winter, you would want to bring sheep with good feet to begin with or I think they would have problems. You can shear a lot earlier down here as it's so mild providing it stays dry from about 2/3rd week may onwards (also know of a good shearer if you need one next year!). Fly strike can be an issue, have to keep on top of prevention or it can bite you in the ass 

[SallyintNorth]

It's pretty wet and miserable down here in winter

Bless!     I'm in one of the wettest places in the country at the moment!  But yes, I know it will still be wet in winter where I'm going - similar in terms of the number of days it rains in a month, but the quantity about half what it is here.  (Which is still pretty wet.)

you would want to bring sheep with good feet to begin with or I think they would have problems.

Totally.  They have Zwartbles at the moment, and their feet are a problem.  We're planning to put my Shetland tup onto a few favourite Zwartbles girls, hoping the offspring would have better feet, and nicer fleeces.  And be a little bit smaller, easier for the predominantly female 'sheep team' to manage.

I'm not taking any of my sheep that have ever had more than one instance of transient lameness.

Clipping earlier would be a bonus

Do you use Crovect?  On all sheep, or just lambs?

[twizzel]

We use crovect every 6 weeks on the lambs as the meat withdrawal is short. If I had ewes I would probably Clik them which is what most people I know with ewes down here do.


It's the Cornish mizzle that gets you down... I can cope with constant rain but the mizzle on grey dark days is the worst! Soaks you to the bone 

[devonlad]

Be good to have you down here "Sallyintsouth" ?. Could only really point you in the direction of j and j farmers for any abattoir/ butchery needs. Hope all goes well ? whereabouts are you going to be ?

[SallyintNorth]

Be good to have you down here "Sallyintsouth" ?. Could only really point you in the direction of j and j farmers for any abattoir/ butchery needs. Hope all goes well ? whereabouts are you going to be ?

Thanks, Devonlad.  It's near Crackington Haven.

[Solentfish]

Hi Sally,
I have not been a frequent poster on the forum, but have learnt huge amounts from it.
We live very close to Crackington Haven - so sounds like you will be near neighbours to us!
We have sheep, bees and chickens.
Happy to help with any useful contacts we have.
Please get in touch and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything - very friendly bunch around here.
Julie