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Cheviot Mules - Which type of blue
- Thread starter jamesy
- Start date
- Location
- Scot Borders
Definitely only use a traditional BFL. If you use the crossing type you will end up with "mucky "faces, I.e. They will range in colour from white through to brown. The traditional blue will give a uniform white throughout the lambs.
Good cross but as has been discussed on here many times, the hardiness and longevity of the blues becomes a real compromise in today's economic times. Also the chevmule wether lamb can take a bit of finishing.
Another option would be an Aberfield tup. Good conformation lambs and very hardy .
Worth a visit to John Scott's great from grass sale next week, at Tain. Some cracking aberfields there.
Good cross but as has been discussed on here many times, the hardiness and longevity of the blues becomes a real compromise in today's economic times. Also the chevmule wether lamb can take a bit of finishing.
Another option would be an Aberfield tup. Good conformation lambs and very hardy .
Worth a visit to John Scott's great from grass sale next week, at Tain. Some cracking aberfields there.
- Location
- Scot Borders
Guess that could be the case further north. Definitely much more interest down here and into the north of England
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
Why does this matter? Is it not acceptable for good ewes to have slightly different coloured faces? Is this a buyer xenophobia thing? Should we be worried?
I feel we should be told. ........
( oh, so many questions. .....)
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
So what's the score @jamesy. You breeding them to sell? Or for your own use?
So many using texel on them to sell as shearlings not tupped as lambs. At a good premium here at thame . Many pens over 150. Speckled faces most presume out of nc mules at less money. Though top run were these to be honestWhy does this matter? Is it not acceptable for good ewes to have slightly different coloured faces? Is this a buyer xenophobia thing? Should we be worried?
I feel we should be told. ........
( oh, so many questions. .....)
Just for own use, to try, they look a smart ewe. I’m quite happy to keep things simple with draft Cheviots that I put my Suffolk’s over but for interest I thought I’d try this.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
Why does this matter? Is it not acceptable for good ewes to have slightly different coloured faces? Is this a buyer xenophobia thing? Should we be worried?
I feel we should be told. ........
( oh, so many questions. .....)
Put that spoon down and stop stirring
We all know just as the Scotch Mule should have bright colour and strong markings, the Cheviot Mule should be perfectly white...
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
Oh, I know. ....Put that spoon down and stop stirring
We all know just as the Scotch Mule should have bright colour and strong markings, the Cheviot Mule should be perfectly white...
I just find it ironic that the people who would criticise other breeds for colour preferences, should them insist on the same themselves. .... ( the smilies are playing up, so you'll all just have to imagine that I've used the puzzled smilies. ....smile, wink, angel. ...)
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
Oh, I know. ....
I just find it ironic that the people who would criticise other breeds for colour preferences, should them insist on the same themselves. .... ( the smilies are playing up, so you'll all just have to imagine that I've used the puzzled smilies. ....smile, wink, angel. ...)
In the grand scheme of things, you and I both know it really doesn't matter about colourings/markings... but when you're selling a pen of sheep, they do look better when they are all the same.
We used to buy the whiter faced Mules, because they did just fine (so long as they were good sheep, otherwise) and could be bought cheaper
Why do Cheviot breeders demand their sheep are perfectly white... but the single black ones make more??
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
How long for? Aberfields are gaining a reputation for poor prolificacy round here. The Texel blood does seem to make them easier keeping sheep than ‘ordinary’ mules, but a lot less lambs to sell.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
I’d happily introduce a maternal Texel into Highlander ewes (hence trying a NZ variety), but one cross would be enough or you’d start having to catch more at lambing I suspect.
I don’t see what the Aberfield brings to the party really, other than a clean, sharp head.
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
If for your own use with no need to cater for the odd notions of buyers, then I'd happily use the crossing type .
Even if it meant less lambs?
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
Why do you think that?
In the grand scheme of things, you and I both know it really doesn't matter about colourings/markings... but when you're selling a pen of sheep, they do look better when they are all the same.
We used to buy the whiter faced Mules, because they did just fine (so long as they were good sheep, otherwise) and could be bought cheaper
Why do Cheviot breeders demand their sheep are perfectly white... but the single black ones make more??
Same as Suffolk mule buyers demand a jet black head, a brown headed ewe of the same body or sometimes better would be a lot cheaper to buy but both will produce the same type of fat lamb
A, but I do think they look better white! ?
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
- Tags
- drift performance varieties