Blue-faced/Border Leicester hybrid
- Thread starter GSJC1960
- Start date
- Location
- north Wales
And the lambs were born with ginger necks......
one time experimentJust 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.
NZDan
Member
- Location
- Broomfield, New Zealand
I used to scan some Wensleydale X BFL ewes. Useful crossing rams produced.
I was more meaning has anyone tried to create a hybrid blue faced/border ram. Surely would pick up characteristics from both?
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.
NZDan
Member
- Location
- Broomfield, New Zealand
I wonder if there is a place for a good composite crossing ram?
Interesting, I would love to have seen those. For 2 popular breeds it’s strange that it hasn’t been tried out much.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
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
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
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
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
clod hopper
Member
- Location
- SHREWSBURY, shropshire
You should get some outstanding top quality ears!!!!!
johnspeehs
Member
- Location
- Co Antrim
Might be a better hit with the chev than blackies, you "should" have a very nice halfbred type lamb.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
They'd be fine on Blackies... So long as you don't prioritise the facial colour and markings of the Mule
Most important thing!!You should get some outstanding top quality ears!!!!!
johnspeehs
Member
- Location
- Co Antrim
You are quite right but in this wee country there are endless people who want to buy ewe lambs to sell as shearlings and ears and markings are everything.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
You are quite right but in this wee country there are endless people who want to buy ewe lambs to sell as shearlings and ears and markings are everything.
If you've any interest in doing that, then you wouldn't be looking to crodd the Border and BFL in the first place...
- Location
- East Ayrshire
I absolutely agree, but has anyone ever done a study on how much influence face colour has on number of lambs sold?You are quite right but in this wee country there are endless people who want to buy ewe lambs to sell as shearlings and ears and markings are everything.
johnspeehs
Member
- Location
- Co Antrim
No idea but I'd much rather have a tight skinned white faced mule than a long wooled nicely marked one.
- Tags
- performance