Blue-faced/Border Leicester hybrid

Agrivator

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Scottsih Borders
Just out of curiosity.... has anyone ever crossed a trad blue faced Leicester ram with border Leicester ewe, or vice versa?

Just a point of interest: The Blueface Leicester was originally produced from a Border Leicester X Wensleydale.

And the Border Leicester was originally produced from a Cheviot x Leicester Longwool.
 

johnspeehs

Member
Location
Co Antrim
There was someone in the limavady area a few years ago who had a few out at the sales for a few years. I think the problem was they were neither mules or greyface and didnt sell as well but were probably quite a good sheep with the best of both worlds.
 

GSJC1960

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
UK
There was someone in the limavady area a few years ago who had a few out at the sales for a few years. I think the problem was they were neither mules or greyface and didnt sell as well but were probably quite a good sheep with the best of both worlds.
Interesting, I would love to have seen those. For 2 popular breeds it’s strange that it hasn’t been tried out much.
 

GSJC1960

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
UK
It'd be a good cross, if it picks up the good bits of both breeds...
Nightmare come true if it falls to both breeds bad bits, though

You'd want to use the Traditional Blue, not those vermin Crossers
Such as the problem with all cross breeding I suppose, it’s always a gamble at the beginning.
Oh yes that goes without saying, crossing type has enough problems without creating more.
Im thinking of trying this cross and throwing him into a few draft nc Cheviots next year. What’s the worst can happen
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Such as the problem with all cross breeding I suppose, it’s always a gamble at the beginning.
Oh yes that goes without saying, crossing type has enough problems without creating more.
Im thinking of trying this cross and throwing him into a few draft nc Cheviots next year. What’s the worst can happen

Go for it. The Border has the carcase and skin, IMO, but the Border should also temper the prolifecy and milkiness of the Blue which is no bad thing - as the Blue can be guilty of being just too extreme

You should end up with some quality Cheviot HalfMules. If you do go through with it, I'd like to see the pictures (y)
 

johnspeehs

Member
Location
Co Antrim
Such as the problem with all cross breeding I suppose, it’s always a gamble at the beginning.
Oh yes that goes without saying, crossing type has enough problems without creating more.
Im thinking of trying this cross and throwing him into a few draft nc Cheviots next year. What’s the worst can happen

Might be a better hit with the chev than blackies, you "should" have a very nice halfbred type lamb.
 

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