[Borderlands]

Luke we're Abbeycwmhir so not a million miles away Ryelands wouldn't do well at all in our area and Soay are beautiful but pretty wild I wonder if you could start with some of the native sheep? You can't go far wrong with a good old hardy Welsh, they'll lamb outside and bar some silage or hay will do pretty well. You would need to shear but there's plenty of contract shelters our way or its a skill you can teach yourself if you invest in a genny. The sale from the lambs would cover the cost.... Talking of which if you sold them as fat lamb you wouldn't have the feed bills.

If you are sold on the rare breeds perhaps take a look at Old Chapel Farm outside Llanidloes, they keep rare breeds including Mouflon (sp?) and are working towards restoring hill land to its ancient state, sorry that's a bit bm vague but they do some really good work and have volunteers and run courses throughout the year.

[Lukey]

Luke we're Abbeycwmhir so not a million miles away Ryelands wouldn't do well at all in our area and Soay are beautiful but pretty wild I wonder if you could start with some of the native sheep? You can't go far wrong with a good old hardy Welsh, they'll lamb outside and bar some silage or hay will do pretty well. You would need to shear but there's plenty of contract shelters our way or its a skill you can teach yourself if you invest in a genny. The sale from the lambs would cover the cost.... Talking of which if you sold them as fat lamb you wouldn't have the feed bills.

If you are sold on the rare breeds perhaps take a look at Old Chapel Farm outside Llanidloes, they keep rare breeds including Mouflon (sp?) and are working towards restoring hill land to its ancient state, sorry that's a bit bm vague but they do some really good work and have volunteers and run courses throughout the year.

Never heard of Abbeycwmhir so searched it up, what a lovely looking place! I have actually been looking at Welsh breeds, I do like the look of the welsh badger face sheep as they are very unusual looking! Also like the Balwen welsh mountain too. They are certainly something I'd consider keeping, also makes sense to keep a welsh breed as it's wales!

I'll have a look on google to see if old chapel farm have a website, thanks for that! Well the Mouflon are certainly 'different', It's sound interesting what they are trying to do, re restoring hill land. I will look into the courses as they would be of benefit to me!

[Bionic]

Lukey, if you are thinking of Welsh breeds have you seen the Llanwenogs?
Backinwellies has some for sale if you are interested

[Backinwellies]

Yes Llanwenogs might not be as 'pretty' as Balwens  but look like 'Shaun' are 'local'   generally very friendly and can rear 2 good lambs off very little  and taste great!  and yes as Bionic says I do have some for sale (only cos I would be over run with them if I didn't sell some).... Oh and they are on the rare breed list too.

[Lukey]

Bionic- I have actually seen Llanwenogs in person at Swansea Community Farm, Never actually looked into them tho 

Backinwellies- There actually a interesting looking sheep with the completely black face, The ones I met at the community farm we're extremely friendly which is a great thing and there on the rare breeds list! but I'm afraid, I haven't had good news regarding the grazing, I haven't had it!  Really gutted! but, I am not giving up as I want to keep sheep, so I am on look out for some grazing that I can rent(long term), but I tried for a field earlier this week for my horse, 30 other people wanted it as well! so may take a while! 

Luke

[Backinwellies]

Oh shame .... keep looking 

[devonlady]

No offence to horse-owners or, indeed horses, I love them dearly but all the available rented grazing is taken up with them. Apparently folk can charge more than if someone ran, say sheep or bullocks on them and no way to share the grazing (which would be better for the land, cattle, then sheep then horses) as most horse people wouldn't understand this. I could have rented my few acres out time and again for horses and when I say by all means put them on there for three or four weeks when I move the sheep they all want sole access to my grass all year round.
Lukey, keep looking, keep dreaming. Who was it said "Dreams are the gateway to reality"? How many of us have found that to to be true!
(actually, it may have been my Dad who said it!)

[Lukey]

Backinwellies- I will, never going to give up!   

Devonlady- It is ridiculous what people charge when you mention 'horses', that word seems to have add a £1000! Most of the land around here is used for horses sadly, or solar panel farms!! The field I saw the other day that the 30+ people wanted, it was a 3.5 field with Japanese knotweed in every corner went for near £1000 per year I believe. Someone said 'I'll have it regardless of the price'. I always read cross grazing different livestock benefits the land and the animals as they have different parasites which reduces worm burden on the land etc.  ugh, like I have said already, I shall not give up! I've got my eye on 5 acres, split into two fields, it is quite overgrown and needs about 30M of fencing but is only a couple of miles away from my house, just need to locate the owner of it.

[devonlady]

Good luck

[TheSmilingSheep]

Hello Lukey....
I appreciate this is a bit academic now that you've had this (temporary!) set back.... but I was so pleased to read that you were a bit taken by the Balwens....  They can be rather pesky, so aren't often anyone's first choice....
But they were ours, and we adore them.... and the lambs that we have had born here are very manageable, despite the flightiness of their mums!
We've also just got in some Katmoget Shetlands - and they are gorgeous!
Pictures of what we've been doing with our sheep (and fleece) on our website and facebook....
www.smilingsheep.co.uk
(little video of our most recent lambs on The Smiling Sheep facebook page!)
So, when the perfect plot of land turns up, which it will, please keep the Balwens in mind (they are still 'at risk'  - so a very good cause!).

[Lukey]

Devonlady- Thank You   

Brendon21- Balwens are a wonderful looking breed, They will be defo on my short list of sheep breeds, along with the Shetland sheep you've mentioned. Just had a look at the Balwens societies website. Oh, you've got a lovely flock of sheep as well, Just had there haircut it seems!    You've gained a 'Like' off me on facebook

It's just a waiting game with land, I'm sure something will show up sooner or later

[Lukey]

I have a asked a question in the 'land management' section regarding Marsh land just to let you know