[Mickey]

We've just gotten some Herdwick sheep and haven't heard a sound from them, meanwhile our two Black Face lambs make some racket when they see us!  I'm wondering if the Herdys are naturally mute?

[Me]

Over evolutionary time Herdwicks have learnt to hide their presence as discovery often leads to Rentokil being called

[Possum]

I wish mine were mute! You must be able to hear them for miles if they think the pigs are being fed and they are being ignored!

[trish.farm]

I wish my sheep were mute too!!!  Blimey what a racket when they spot a human!!  human = food!!!

[crofterswife]

I have 2 Herdwick lambs and they are certainly quieter than the Blackies but they do bleat sometimes.
It sounds totally different to the Blackies as well.

[Coximus]

I've had shy sheep before, but after a few weeks they all learn how to make a racket and allert the others than I want them in one place so all go somewhere else.

If their quiet it usually means they know I want them, or they've got into the field shelter again and eaten all the beet shreds.

[bigchicken]

Mute if only. I've just speaned this year's lambs and they have been making a bit of noise especially if anyone is around.

[Mickey]

Thanks Guys, I'm hoping they'll gain confidence and start chirping away soon ;-)

[SophieLeeds]

I keep herdwicks and we never heard even the slightest peep from them - until we got a tup!

Our tup is much more vocal than the girls, but the girls come into their own when they have their lambs... take them away and you can expect the silent treatment again in my experience