Castlemilk Moorit

[Ukjay]

Hi

We are seriously looking at the Castlemilk Moorit sheep for our venture into sheep headaches, whereby I was wondering if anyone on here keeps, or has kept them?

Obviously we know they are not a commercial flock animal, but for our purposes they appear on the face of it to fit our needs, so was looking for some real life experiences with the breed.

Thanks in advance.

Jay

 

[llamedos]

@Old Tip

 

[Mcnulty24]

I bought three ewes and a ram with the intention of starting a breeding flock. They looked fantastic but wild as, they were like antelope! I thought I could get them reasonably tame, I couldn't, sold them on after a few months. I have seen them pretty chilled, so make sure that the place you buy them from has them bucket trained.

 

[Ukjay]

I bought three ewes and a ram with the intention of starting a breeding flock. They looked fantastic but wild as, they were like antelope! I thought I could get them reasonably tame, I couldn't, sold them on after a few months. I have seen them pretty chilled, so make sure that the place you buy them from has them bucket trained.

Hi

I have seen a farm that claims that year on year their lineage gets tamer, but obviously would have to see them before purchasing.
This is another question I have over fencing - what height to have it?

Kind regards

Jay

 

[Mcnulty24]

I keep them behind stock fencing with a line of plain wire on top. Good luck with them, by all accounts the meat tastes great.

 

[spin cycle]

Hi

We are seriously looking at the Castlemilk Moorit sheep for our venture into sheep headaches, whereby I was wondering if anyone on here keeps, or has kept them?

Obviously we know they are not a commercial flock animal, but for our purposes they appear on the face of it to fit our needs, so was looking for some real life experiences with the breed.

Thanks in advance.

Jay

out of interest what attributes do they have that 'fit our needs'?....i had soays which were fine catching wise until the final 20ft

 

[Ukjay]

I keep them behind stock fencing with a line of plain wire on top. Good luck with them, by all accounts the meat tastes great.

Thank you Mcnulty,

Gonna be interesting.

 

[Ukjay]

out of interest what attributes do they have that 'fit our needs'?....i had soays which were fine catching wise until the final 20ft

Reading certain articles, they are less boisterous than commercial flocks (hence wishing to learn from first hand experiences), plus you do not have to shear them, they either moult or the fleece is pulled.

We were also looking at Soays, as one of our friends have some, but they look more raggedy.

 

[spin cycle]

Reading certain articles, they are less boisterous than commercial flocks (hence wishing to learn from first hand experiences), plus you do not have to shear them, they either moult or the fleece is pulled.

We were also looking at Soays, as one of our friends have some, but they look more raggedy.

wilts don't need shearing.....but are boisterous when there's a meal sack about

 

[Ukjay]

wilts don't need shearing.....but are boisterous when there's a meal sack about

Sounds like my daughter

 

[RedMerle]

I tried to roo the Shetlands this year. After doing one I got pretty bored and just got my blades out instead!!

 

[Old Tip]

We have a flock of 25 if you have any questions give us a shout

 

[Ukjay]

We have a flock of 25 if you have any questions give us a shout

Thanks Old Tip,

Obviously we are not experienced sheep handlers and we are looking at a small flock (if you coukd call 6 - 10 a flock ) to start, so there will be some questions whilst we work on our land to prepare for whatever breed we move to.

Are they good at handling or are they very skittish (obviously we understand it takes time to win confidence from any animal), but just trying to understand if they are going to be a pita, or if they are like we have read, quite calm compared to other breeds?
We do not have a trained BC (have two 1 year old's, but not herding trained), so would we need to get them trained somehow?

 

[llamedos]

Reading certain articles, they are less boisterous than commercial flocks (hence wishing to learn from first hand experiences), plus you do not have to shear them, they either moult or the fleece is pulled.

We were also looking at Soays, as one of our friends have some, but they look more raggedy.

You will be very lucky to get away with not shearing, I have a few North Ronaldsays, who are also traditionally rooed (pulled) but there is only one, and only in one year of exceptionally good weather, was I able to roo the fleece completely, and that was off a very patient and tame wether.

As others have said, it you are set on CMs make sure they have come from a flock which is already bucket trained, or you will quickly fall out with them.

I would not say they are a starter breed, for anyone.

 

[Ukjay]

I would not say they are a starter breed, for anyone.

For what reasons do you say this, and what would you consider starter breeds?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Get some commercial shedders. Rare breeds are rare for a reason.

I once had some Soays. The best thing for herding them was a rifle. Granted they only cost £400 for a flock of 20. But I could have saved myself a lot of stress and time by just chucking £400 straight on the fire...

 

[llamedos]

For what reasons do you say this, and what would you consider starter breeds?

Dependant on your knowledge of sheep handling, which forgive me if I am wrong, seems to be very little, most of the rare breeds are incredibly flighty to say the least.
I would like to think that anyone going into sheep, for whatever reason would be able to enjoy them and work with them/be able to care for them when required. If catching them for whatever handling reason is a major hurdle to start with, then you are going to fall out with them pretty quickly, and they will just become a PIA to you. I would not wish this on anyone.
My NR came to me via someone who was sold them, by a breeder as a starter flock, the breeder last words to the new owner was, you dont need to do anything with them, they live on fresh air...

I would suggest if you do want minimal input on things like shearing, then one of the commercial shedders.
If you are able to get a local shearer, then go for one of the down breeds.

 

[Old Tip]

Agree with all @llamedos, we got virtually all our CMs from folk that couldent handle them and had given up trying. They are very clever sheep and seem to know when you are planning to do anything or are in a hurry. We have bossed ours now as we have a very good sheep dog and got rid of the wildest ones.
They are beautiful in the landscape and the wool is a valuable commodity but they are not a starter sheep.

 

[Ukjay]

I once had some Soays. The best thing for herding them was a rifle.

Did they taste nice though

 

[Ukjay]

Dependant on your knowledge of sheep handling, which forgive me if I am wrong, seems to be very little, most of the rare breeds are incredibly flighty to say the least.
I would like to think that anyone going into sheep, for whatever reason would be able to enjoy them and work with them/be able to care for them when required. If catching them for whatever handling reason is a major hurdle to start with, then you are going to fall out with them pretty quickly, and they will just become a PIA to you. I would not wish this on anyone.
My NR came to me via someone who was sold them, by a breeder as a starter flock, the breeder last words to the new owner was, you dont need to do anything with them, they live on fresh air...

I would suggest if you do want minimal input on things like shearing, then one of the commercial shedders.
If you are able to get a local shearer, then go for one of the down breeds.

Hi,

No you are correct, our knowledge is currently minimal for sheep - and we never do anything lightly, hence we are researching breeds.
We know there are some people that say some breeds can live on notning but grass, out all year etc, but we are realists who understand any animal comes with obligations and requirements for wellbeing of animal welfare etc - so would never go into something blind.

Thanks for your openness though, it is appreciated.