Suitable commercial ram for random hill types

[Shetlandsheep]

I have a small flock of unreg Shetlands which Ive been running for about 4-5 years and while I have access to a registered Shetland ram for replacements, I would like to use something more commercial for the experienced Mums. There are also a few Herdwick ewes. (I know but I like them! Again experienced mums, have been crossed with Ryeland this year so their lambs are coming too .

Would Shetland x commercial or Herdwick x commercial breed be saleable? If so would they finish year 1 or go over to year 2 like the pure Shetlands do you think? Or am I wasting my time?

What would be a good breed for outdoor lambing on well drained but exposed acid parks about 800ft up in Aberdeenshire? NB there is a small wooden barn /shelter for post lambing care. I know the classic combo would be Shetland x Cheviot (Lairg?) but my shearer tells me he is more likely to be able to source a (big heads?) or Charollais( not much wool cover) locally. Thinking Suffolk a no no.

I am just about to acquire an experienced sheepdog bitch and her young daughter so not as concerned about taming them down as before.

 

[scholland]

We lamb Shetland ewes to a cheviot to make replacements which are great but u need to pick the right tup and not over do the ewes or lambs can be very sticky. We sweep with a charollais and they fall out and land on their feet! Pick a ram with a bit of cover and should be ok.

 

[Spartacus]

Herdwicks have great lambs if put to the texel, love no idea how they lamb or anything though, don't have herdwicks myself but have seen them on a neighbours.

 

[Shetlandsheep]

This is v useful, thankyou !

 

[Devil's advocate]

Sorry to go off on a tangent?

Which is the best sheep Herdwick or Shetland?

 

[Shetlandsheep]

Taste wise both are fantastic tho not so much meat on either. Get a lot more money for Shetland wool, ESP moorit than for Herdwick which is only good for carpets (it's still peanuts but the Shetland rate pays the shearer) . Shetlands half the size but lambing wise have a v wide birth canal so probably just as good for crossing with larger ram and they are fab mums. Ive never had to assist in any of the 50-60 of my pure Shetlands, not one, never had a ewe abandon a lamb or mismother and the only lambs I've lost have been one to a dog attack (sheep worrying) at 9 months :-( and one small twin to a golden eagle at 3 hours.

Herdwicks I'm only just getting, so I will let you know....I just love them. Both Shetlands and Herdwicks are renowned for not being brilliant with poor fencing. So we are only keeping them in good stock fenced fields.

 

[spark_28]

don't the breeds like hebridean and Shetland not have a bigger pelvis in relation to body size, thus making lambing more easier. Texels and suffolks are crossed onto hebrideans easy enough, id imagine the right choice of texel would be a great cross. Look for one with less of a bulky head and shoulder if youre worried.