Dorset Down

[jck952505]

Desperately looking for a Dorset Down ram to put to our Soay's for this years breeding season. Seems like the most ideal fit to increase carcass size and growth rate, while not compromising on the ewes safety during lambing or some of the good qualities associated in the breed.

Only issue being - there seems to be so few available out there at the moment! I've been searching ad's daily with no luck... We are only a smallholding so ideally don't want to be dropping too much money on a ram for it ultimately to get sold on or put in the freezer.

I'm based in the West Midlands (close to Twycross) but willing to travel a reasonable distance. Doesn't matter if unregistered..genetics and health are important to us to improve the flock, not paperwork.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

 

[jck952505]

Desperately looking for a Dorset Down ram to put to our Soay's for this years breeding season. Seems like the most ideal fit to increase carcass size and growth rate, while not compromising on the ewes safety during lambing or some of the good qualities associated in the breed.

Only issue being - there seems to be so few available out there at the moment! I've been searching ad's daily with no luck... We are only a smallholding so ideally don't want to be dropping too much money on a ram for it ultimately to get sold on or put in the freezer.

I'm based in the West Midlands (close to Twycross) but willing to travel a reasonable distance. Doesn't matter if unregistered..genetics and health are important to us to improve the flock, not paperwork.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

I will also accept recommendations for an alternative, more accessible terminal to put to the ewes. Preferably something that'll not make absolutely huge lambs, but quicker maturing/larger finished carcass and also not as batsh*t as my "angel" girls

 

[andybk]

,My neighbours, Osbornes stone easton (somerset) has a few (or they did ) , very old flock, pm me if you want a number

 

[Lincs]

Contact the breed society. They have a ram register. I will send you some numbers tomorrow

 

[Bury the Trash]

forgotten all about them, don't think ive seen one for about 50yrs
Dad had one as i recall.

 

[Woolless]

Would a Hampshire Down be a viable alternative? Easier to get hold of one!

 

[neilo]

I thought the 'go to' terminal for a Soay was always a Charollais?

If it would need to be active and mobile whatever the breed, to keep with the feral things.

 

[Woolless]

I thought the 'go to' terminal for a Soay was always a Charollais?

If it would need to be active and mobile whatever the breed, to keep with the feral things.

Would there be a bit of shared ancestry between Dorset Down and Charollais?

 

[primmiemoo]

Would there be a bit of shared ancestry between Dorset Down and Charollais?

Southdown in both, afaik. Although in the Charollais it would be Le Soussdown.

 

[andybk]

Would there be a bit of shared ancestry between Dorset Down and Charollais?

as above southdown
, charollais is dishley leicester x southdown , ie Bakewell x Ellman probably two of the foremost breeders right back in mid - late 1700s , that had influence in many european breeds of today , many the best breeds go back to one or the other or both .

 

[BAF]

I was going to say why not try a southdown of you're inclined to use a Down breed. Jonathan Long who runs the Chaileybrook flock probably breeds the best Southdowns going. They're a world away from the short, knock kneed, little fat traditional creatures. And his tups would have enough about them to keep up with your feral little darlings.

 

[andybk]

I was going to say why not try a southdown of you're inclined to use a Down breed. Jonathan Long who runs the Chaileybrook flock probably breeds the best Southdowns going. They're a world away from the short, knock kneed, little fat traditional creatures. And his tups would have enough about them to keep up with your feral little darlings.

uses some french southdowns that are bigger than the uk versions , very good sheep , been tempted by a few females a couple times ive seen them at sales

 

[BAF]

uses some french southdowns that are bigger than the uk versions , very good sheep , been tempted by a few females a couple times ive seen them at sales

He breeds some very smart sheep. We had a tup off him a few years back, he lasted forever. I've got out of southdowns because selling them live they were being penalised for being so woolly. But if I wanted to get back into them then I'd definitely go back to Jonathan.

 

[neilo]

Would there be a bit of shared ancestry between Dorset Down and Charollais?

Probably, about as much in common as a Suffolk and a Norfolk Horn I suppose, who also share common ancestry…

I struggle to see the relevance of comments going back to Dishley’s commendable efforts of 300 years ago. That’s a huge number of generations in sheep terms, to the extent that the effect of those Dishley Leicester genetics is all but irrelevant (but not the breeding principles).