Dorper sheep

[unlacedgecko]

Yes, I run Hampshire x lambs alongside the Easycares. Hamps need tailed and fly prevention which Easycares don't. It's all time and money but the stores are easier to sell and grow faster, although this gap is closing.

Once you’ve matched the growth rate, maybe instead of selling store a contract f8nishing arrangement would be more beneficial?

 

[Woolless]

Once you’ve matched the growth rate, maybe instead of selling store a contract f8nishing arrangement would be more beneficial?

It could well be but I'm not aware of anyone doing that. It would be great to get access to green crop or similar but very difficult to get up here.

 

[Springboks]

This is the biggest problem. The breed is in such a minority in UK that there isn't anyone running substantial numbers... you'd almost have to breed your own - but even then, you need to start by buying from somewhere

I run them as a commercial flock and have everything from f1 -100% come look if interested

 

[Bones]

I run them as a commercial flock and have everything from f1 -100% come look if interested

where abouts are you

 

[Springboks]

where abouts are you

Just outside Cambridge

 

[Tim W]

I run them as a commercial flock and have everything from f1 -100% come look if interested

How many ewes are you running?
Outdoor unassisted lambing?
Interested in your system as well as the sheep

 

[Springboks]

How many ewes are you running?
Outdoor unassisted lambing?
Interested in your system as well as the sheep

I run 130 pure ewes the rest around 300 made up with cross ewes.all outside lambing don't have any buildings .they all lamb on solarfarms

 

[Bones]

I run 130 pure ewes the rest around 300 made up with cross ewes.all outside lambing don't have any buildings .they all lamb on solarfarms

Any pictures

 

[Springboks]

 

[Springboks]

 

[Springboks]

Ewe and lambs at bottom

 

[NZDan]

Still a few seconds per lamb.

As an aside, I have customers on the Tesco COP contracts who are required to declare any routine mutilations. @Tim W has touched on this before, but routine docking may become less acceptable to the consumer going forward.

If it’s possible to breed a sheep which doesn’t require docking, why not do it? If you’re sheep are bare arsed try not docking next lambing and see the results.

Like these? These are 80% Texel and 20% Finn. There are plenty of short tailed Texels about.the easiest way to end docking is simply to stop. Recording dag score is important though.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Like these? These are 80% Texel and 20% Finn. There are plenty of short tailed Texels about.the easiest way to end docking is simply to stop. Recording dag score is important though. View attachment 736872View attachment 736874

Great sheep Dan.

I’ve been reading about fat tailed sheep lately. It’s amazing what selective breeding has accomplished. And this was 1,000s of years ago!

 

[Highcountryshepherd]

Great sheep Dan.

I’ve been reading about fat tailed sheep lately. It’s amazing what selective breeding has accomplished. And this was 1,000s of years ago!

And what have you deduced from fat tails ? I shore a lot in Israel in late 90s and realised the better shearing healthier sheep that preformed had ails just about touching the floor . It's funny we look overseas to different breeds but to be honest they wouldn't go well here unless you fed them like a dairy cow

 

[TexelBen]

View attachment 736768

Where abouts are you?

 

[DanM]

where abouts are you

Just outside Cambridge

@TexelBen

 

[TexelBen]

@TexelBen

Sorry! Missed that

 

[TexelBen]

View attachment 734210

Do you have any white faced rams? Are they the same apart from the head colour?

 

[Springboks]

I have some not many .I'd say there is no difference between them

 

[Springboks]