New to sheep farming

[landyford]

Hi I'm Dave I normally only post about tractors etc, but now I'd like to ask for any advice on Shetland sheep as going to be getting 6 ewes soon I help out with lambing every year for a few mate's but obviously doesn't mean I know how to keep my own, I believe this is a hardy breed and can pretty much take care of themselves I'm doing it for a bit of meat for me and Mabe family and fry so Nottingham looking to live from it

 

[Sussex Martin]

Hi I'm Dave I normally only post about tractors etc, but now I'd like to ask for any advice on Shetland sheep as going to be getting 6 ewes soon I help out with lambing every year for a few mate's but obviously doesn't mean I know how to keep my own, I believe this is a hardy breed and can pretty much take care of themselves I'm doing it for a bit of meat for me and Mabe family and fry so Nottingham looking to live from it

I hope you have good fences as true hill sheep do not respect bad ones!

 

[landyford]

Running stock fencing on post and rail

 

[Kinburn1919]

I have some Shetland sheep, originally bought ten, first lambing was not great , but no ones was that year, they are fantastic mothers, but they do have a knack of finding the way out, but they aren't half as annoying as Blackface sheep.. This one got it's eyes pecked out by a crow... But it has still reared a great lamb, lives in my garden mostly..eats the grass... Pity it didn't eat nettles too...

 

[scholland]

Hi I'm Dave I normally only post about tractors etc, but now I'd like to ask for any advice on Shetland sheep as going to be getting 6 ewes soon I help out with lambing every year for a few mate's but obviously doesn't mean I know how to keep my own, I believe this is a hardy breed and can pretty much take care of themselves I'm doing it for a bit of meat for me and Mabe family and fry so Nottingham looking to live from it

They are certainly hardy, and look after themselves. If they have come from a hill farm they like their space and to be left alone, if more 'inby' type then will be more settled. What tup are you going to use?

 

[landyford]

They are from a small flock in Hertfordshire so used to a range of limited space and large areas

 

[Keepers]

They make very good mothers and are good milky ewes

Cross them with a Charolais or any other narrow headed sire and lambs should be fat by October to Christmas time, (around 6 months)

My Shetlands are not great escapers and stay behind three strand electric, they also have not been jumpy sheep
However they are nightmares to gather in, they will scatter off and run away and attack the dog and squeeze through rabbit holes if they think you are gathering them in, and although they are light so easy to tip over, they wriggle and kick and go mad the whole time.

I still have a cull shetland ewe running around wich we couldn't catch to be shot, may have to call out someone with a sheep eating dog/lion/bear or maybe a sniper..... (free dog food anyone?)

They generally live long and are very hardy and healthy, they tend to have good feet but depends on where you get them from, and the wool this year I sold for around £10 per ewe, they also cost me only £10 to keep over winter so ended up paying for themselves...

 

[Kinburn1919]

They are still lovely sheep, can't say I have had to sort any of my ones feet, My Texel Tups are a nightmare ... Beltex are no problem.

 

[Wooly]

Dave, you have gone into sheep ........you must be mad !!

You purchased Shetlands ......... you're closer to be sectioned!!

 

[landyford]

Haha