Castlemilk Moorit

[Ukjay]

Great that you're going into sheep. The very best of luck to you, hope you enjoy it.
Don't discount commercial breeds. There's no such thing as "farmers' sheep" and "hobby" sheep. A lot of the fashionable rare breeds are actually much wilder than the boring ones and there's no shame in making a profit from your hobby.

The easiest beginners' breed is the same one as most of your neighbours keep. That way you'll be on the same annual routine as them & they'll keep you right, & you can share with them to reduce costs. You can always branch out into something unusual once you're more confident.

You're not really going to need a dog for your number of sheep - just bucket train them feed them now & then in the handling pens & make a funnel shaped entrance. Have someone walking behind with a dog on a lead in case the couple at the back get cheeky. That said, a trained dog is a joy to own, so do it if you want to, not because you have to.

Thanks for the support and information, it is appreciated. I want to get my dog/s trained to some level - as one is showing herding instincts anyway, but that may just be it taking the pi**, but they need something to stimulate them further

 

[Ukjay]

i've handled 60+ wilts using only a bucket....getting to the stage now a dog might be useful.....put any commercial ram on a wilt and you get a nice lamb....BUT i wouldn't reccomend a wilt ram as they can be fearsome

I wont be going near any Ram for some time, so all is well on that front. I do not want to get my arse kicked by some randy woolly jumper!!

Do Wilts shed their fleece completely - or is there some shearing to be done? Also - what housing would be required if any, as there is nothing in the field currently?

If that offer was genuine, I may just take you up on that offer to come and see your flock at some point, as your not too far away considering. Might even stop over at Holkham with the misses

 

[jemski]

I bought some Kerry hills to run along side the commercial ewes for fun. They came from a hobby flock, but were as wild as hell and so were their half bred lambs! I ended up getting rid of them.

Handling sheep isn't about strength, it's about technique, you'll get a feel for it the more you do. Small sheep won't be easier to handle if they are wild and stubborn. But it is important that you like the look of your sheep, because on a bad day when you they all drive you to despair it is their saving grace!
They all have unique characters and you will fall in love with them [emoji1]

 

[Coximus]

I have 6 and your welcome to. View. I'm in yorkshire had more but no tup so letting them go.
They will produce a saleable lamb put to a charolais or lleyn at about 8 month, will finish around 35-38kg but grow very slow after that.

 

[spin cycle]

I wont be going near any Ram for some time, so all is well on that front. I do not want to get my arse kicked by some randy woolly jumper!!

Do Wilts shed their fleece completely - or is there some shearing to be done? Also - what housing would be required if any, as there is nothing in the field currently?

If that offer was genuine, I may just take you up on that offer to come and see your flock at some point, as your not too far away considering. Might even stop over at Holkham with the misses

yes they shed completely ....the rate depends on their condition....fatter they are quicker they shed so if you've a thin ewe you just have to watch for fly....that said i had no wilts struck last year

offer is genuine just pm me when you want to come...whellies essential due my 'traditional' farmyard

 

[neilo]

@Ukjay , if you don't want a 'commercial' breed, I'd have thought some Wilts, trained to come to a bucket, would tick lots of boxes. They too have a reputation for tasting good I believe, as will almost any breed that grows slowly.
Having shedding sheep would also avoid, or at least minimise, the risk of getting cast on your ridge & furrow field. I'd have thought more commercial or Down breeds could be a problem with that, especially if you're not looking at tupping them.

Of the woolly breeds in your list, Balwens wouldn't be a bad choice IMO, with at least a half decent sized carcass and looking good. Avoid Soays like the plague, they're not sheep. Soays would test your fencing skills to the limit, finding ways under, over and through!

No need for any housing, particularly if you're not lambing them. Just throw a bit of hay out if you increase numbers to the extent that all the grass is gone, or run them over the horse paddocks in the winter.

 

[Ukjay]

whellies essential due my 'traditional' farmyard

So in laymans terms - muddy as hell. I have never owned wellies, I have always used rigger type boots, but I suppose I am gonna have to get some if I am gonna be keeping sheep

 

[neilo]

So in laymans terms - muddy as hell. I have never owned wellies, I have always used rigger type boots, but I suppose I am gonna have to get some if I am gonna be keeping sheep

With some straps on, to stop them escaping.....

 

[Ukjay]

@Ukjay , if you don't want a 'commercial' breed, I'd have thought some Wilts, trained to come to a bucket, would tick lots of boxes. They too have a reputation for tasting good I believe, as will almost any breed that grows slowly.
Having shedding sheep would also avoid, or at least minimise, the risk of getting cast on your ridge & furrow field. I'd have thought more commercial or Down breeds could be a problem with that, especially if you're not looking at tupping them.

Of the woolly breeds in your list, Balwens wouldn't be a bad choice IMO, with at least a half decent sized carcass and looking good. Avoid Soays like the plague, they're not sheep. Soays would test your fencing skills to the limit, finding ways under, over and through!

No need for any housing, particularly if you're not lambing them. Just throw a bit of hay out if you increase numbers to the extent that all the grass is gone, or run them over the horse paddocks in the winter.

Thanks Neilo

All very useful information thank you. Spoken with the boss, she is ok with whatever I decide, so nothing set in stone as they say. Gaining experience is the key part for me here, yes some of the rare breeds look nicer, but looks are not the main part. Grass management is a driver, to keep me from having to spend 10 hrs mowing the lawn

Incidentally, how many Wilts would be a good number to start with for me on my field, obviously do not know the quality of the grass because I do not eat it, so how do you know what it can maintain, and at what age would be the best time to get some?

 

[Ukjay]

With some straps on, to stop them escaping.....

Straps - never seen wellies with straps on, seen them with buckles? You sure your talking wellies and not suspenders here

 

[joe soapy]

Hi

The breeds we were researching (rightly or wrongly we are not sure yet, hence asking questions) are below, just to show what we are / have been looking into:

Castlemilk Moorit

Kerry Hill

Balwen

North Ronaldsay

Soay

You need to add the Badger faced Welsh, probably the prettiest lambs ever

 

[Ukjay]

You need to add the Badger faced Welsh, probably the prettiest lambs ever

I don't know about that - those Valais Blacknose are some sheep. Bloody expensive mind!

 

[spin cycle]

So in laymans terms - muddy as hell. I have never owned wellies, I have always used rigger type boots, but I suppose I am gonna have to get some if I am gonna be keeping sheep

rigger boots in north norfolk....that'll never do

 

[neilo]

I don't know about that - those Valais Blacknose are some sheep. Bloody expensive mind!

Have you ever seen any in their natural state, when they're not washed up and presented fro show? They certainly don't look as pretty then.

 

[JP1]

OK, so if I get this right - the Wiltshire Horn fully sheds its fleece, thus no need to shear? Also, we are saying they are somewhat docile, and would be a good starting breed for someone like myself to get the basics?

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

[Forever Fendt]

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Now thats sorted what type of sheep to keep,you need to think about what truck to buy

 

[JP1]

Thanks for the support and information, it is appreciated. I want to get my dog/s trained to some level - as one is showing herding instincts anyway, but that may just be it taking the pi**, but they need something to stimulate them further

Why not detach the sheep ambition from the dog ambition. I.e. train your sheep to a bucket, don't put any pressure on the dog. Develop the dog with a helpful handler / trainer (for you as much as the dog)

If at a later date the dog can work your own sheep = result

Go to a local trials or call Nij and have a chat; he's a lovely guy and local to you:

http://www.sheepdog-training.co.uk/location.html

 

[neilo]

Now thats sorted what type of sheep to keep,you need to think about what truck to buy

Steady on. There's the small matter of the fencing to resolve yet.

After the truck, can we start the debate on which trailer.........

 

[Forever Fendt]

Steady on. There's the small matter of the fencing to resolve yet.

After the truck, can we start the debate on which trailer.........

clipex , gammic

 

[unlacedgecko]

clipex , gammic

Rappa, whatevers cheap!