Some of my scrawniest looking ewes have weaned lambs that were bigger than them...beats me how they do it...welshies.That proves you’re a kinder man than me. I’d have sold her. rock on if she rears a nice lamb
Some of my scrawniest looking ewes have weaned lambs that were bigger than them...beats me how they do it...welshies.That proves you’re a kinder man than me. I’d have sold her. rock on if she rears a nice lamb
Brilliant little sheepSome of my scrawniest looking ewes have weaned lambs that were bigger than them...beats me how they do it...welshies.
Brilliant little sheep
I remember our last ones. Twin Char lambs that lifted the poor ewe 6 inches off the floor too suckle! If it wasn’t for the constant “where are the little buggers?” I’d have a few again
Brilliant little sheep
@neilo I spoke to a guy I know who works for innovis and he says it shouldn't be a problem to get Highlander ewes in the summer, either young ewes or gimmers.
Thinking of delaying a month and lambing March and just do 200 in a oner but raddle them so I can feed accordingly and only have in the shed what is due in the next week.
He reckoned they lamb better later rather than trying to force a February lambing.
Do you tease the ewes to lamb now.
Have you any experience with Aberdales or Aberfields.
PerfectThose have sponges and embryos implanted. When I used to put embryos in them for December lambing they held (with sponges) as well as anything else. They'd be no more seasonal than mules IME, depending on what they were bred out of of course.
I'd take some of Innovis' claims of availability, and wonder results, with a pinch of salt tbh. They are heavily into their marketing, by whatever means possible.
Out in the real world, there are lots of stories of disappointments with Aberfields as well, no doubt, of folk that are happy with them (not that I've personally met anyone in the latter camp). Not lambed any myself yet, as I'm no fan of any BFL cross.
Aberdales a bit rarer these days as they need careful management not to get crazy litter sizes. They are ultimately just a hyper-prolific Texel X.
@Kingcustard , why do you think you wouldn’t be able to lamb Highlanders indoors?
Great for lambing out, but certainly quiet and placid in a shed. Mine always have been anyway.
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ET recipient just lambed a single (pure Charollais lamb) Tuesday morning. Came in Sunday night, ahead of forecast rain, and had first nuts on Monday morning.
If I was daft enough to want to change everything back to indoor lambing, I’d still have the same breeds.
I’d like to breed the wool off them, but not a single other thing I’d change about them tbh.
I don’t know of anyone selling them as breeding ewes regularly or in any number though, but get some Texel mules and a Highlander/Easydam ram and take control of your destiny?
Perfect
So if I can get my hands on Highlanders then that is the best bet you reckon.
Do they eat less than mules if they need hard feed, not wanting to explode them and never dealt with anything other than the big hungry breeds like Suffolks half breds and mules
Does the Romney in them dictate twice annual shearing? Nice sheep, when was she last clipped?
Was tempted to buy some last year.
Would you think highlanders crisscrossed with llyens would keep a self replacing flock with some hybrid vigor?Those have sponges and embryos implanted. When I used to put embryos in them for December lambing they held (with sponges) as well as anything else. They'd be no more seasonal than mules IME, depending on what they were bred out of of course.
I'd take some of Innovis' claims of availability, and wonder results, with a pinch of salt tbh. They are heavily into their marketing, by whatever means possible.
Out in the real world, there are lots of stories of disappointments with Aberfields as well, no doubt, of folk that are happy with them (not that I've personally met anyone in the latter camp). Not lambed any myself yet, as I'm no fan of any BFL cross.
Aberdales a bit rarer these days as they need careful management not to get crazy litter sizes. They are ultimately just a hyper-prolific Texel X.
Oh dear, you've done it nowWould you think highlanders crisscrossed with llyens would keep a self replacing flock with some hybrid vigor?
Would you think highlanders crisscrossed with llyens would keep a self replacing flock with some hybrid vigor?
Thanks, might give it a try. Been breeding to llyen for a few years and wee flock is getting a bit more uniform now. Fancy the idea of introducing something different, was thinking either belclare, nz texel or highlander. Indoor lambing a bit like the OP but much smaller numbersI bought a Lleyn tup a few years ago, with that in mind, and I don't dislike the crossbreds at all. I sold him after a couple of years though, as I was so disappointed with the lack of ability to count that the handful (thankfully) of pure Lleyn ewes had.
Those crossbreds are a bit tighter skinned than their mothers, but feet seem a bit softer too.
I tried a NZ Texel in the mix on some too, the Highlander basically being a NZ Texel X already. The crosses were nice enough mature ewes but didn't help with lambing ease. That could just have been down to the particular rams though (it was early on).