Sheep breeding / sheep slaughter

[Northernlad999]

I’m new to all this , so please excuse my lack of experience, but we all have to start somewhere. I recently bought 12 texel ewes , not sure what my plans are as yet.

a few questions...
what is the best time to introduce A tup to the ewes? I know I will need to build a lambing shelte.

if I want to slaugter some of the ewes for my own consumption , what is the paperwork procedure.

i only have a Cph number , do I need anything else to sell my sheep at a later stage?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would hurry up and put a ram in now, you can probably lamb outside, although having a few pens inside in case you need them, but you need a ram asap, unless they are already in lamb

 

[matthew]

I’m new to all this , so please excuse my lack of experience, but we all have to start somewhere. I recently bought 12 texel ewes , not sure what my plans are as yet.

a few questions...
what is the best time to introduce A tup to the ewes? I know I will need to build a lambing shelte.

Daughter's ram went in end of September.
November 5th for lambing April 1st - roughly.

if I want to slaugter some of the ewes for my own consumption , what is the paperwork procedure.

i only have a Cph number , do I need anything else to sell my sheep at a later stage?

AML1 forms to complete, with tag numbers and Food Chain Information declaration, before movement.

If you want to tup them, why do you want to eat them?

 

[Northernlad999]

Do you think I would be able to borrow a Tup, or do I need to go out and buy one ?

 

[An ancient git]

Sounds harsh .... but learn about job prior to buying stock . Your lack of knowledge is a recipe for disaster !
Sell the ewes on , in a hurry , or leave empty and take the time to learn what you will need to do ongoing !!

 

[spin cycle]

Sounds harsh .... but learn about job prior to buying stock . Your lack of knowledge is a recipe for disaster !
Sell the ewes on , in a hurry , or leave empty and take the time to learn what you will need to do ongoing !!

you are right that is harsh

ring round abbatoirs to see if they do home kill....they'll direct you viz paperwork,,,,,get on local preloved for a ram....best i can suggest

 

[Gulli]

you are right that is harsh

ring round abbatoirs to see if they do home kill....they'll direct you viz paperwork,,,,,get on local preloved for a ram....best i can suggest

Its not harsh its true!
Dont buy animals if you dont know how to look after them

 

[spin cycle]

Its not harsh its true!
Dont buy animals if you dont know how to look after them

how does op question infer they don't know how to look after animals......they were asking about tupping and paperwork

 

[Gulli]

how does op question infer they don't know how to look after animals......they were asking about tupping and paperwork

Not knowing anything about the breeding cycle is enough to worry me.

 

[spin cycle]

Not knowing anything about the breeding cycle is enough to worry me.

plenty of ppl who supposedly 'know how to look after sheep' don't do it nicely........my defence of the op is at least they are asking

 

[Gulli]

plenty of ppl who supposedly 'know how to look after sheep' don't do it nicely........my defence of the op is at least they are asking

Yes good on him for asking.

Just think it's better to ask before you go and buy animals not after

 

[primmiemoo]

I’m new to all this , so please excuse my lack of experience, but we all have to start somewhere. I recently bought 12 texel ewes , not sure what my plans are as yet.

a few questions...
what is the best time to introduce A tup to the ewes? I know I will need to build a lambing shelte.

if I want to slaugter some of the ewes for my own consumption , what is the paperwork procedure.

i only have a Cph number , do I need anything else to sell my sheep at a later stage?

Yes, we all started somewhere, and asking is a good place to start.

If you haven't already, you'll need to obtain a Flock Number (similar to, but not the same as any herd number you might have) and be registered to keep sheep. There should be enough information on the DEFRA website, and Trading Standards.

Your description banner says Mixed Farmer, so your Vet should guide you to a course in sheep keeping. Some smallholders' courses are very good, and might include home slaughter training.

 

[Longlowdog]

I bought a small place and inherited a wee flock of sheep with it. That's where my learning process began at zero knowledge. My neighbours became friends and offered advice/help. It was the beginning of a passion for learning as much as I could about many systems of sheep keeping. I went from Soays who needed next to no human involvement to rather more involving Beltex in 7 years via commercial mules and Oxfords The O.P has a few months to learn the feeding requirements of in-lamb ewes, lambing etc. The best advice I can offer is to point blank ignore folk who put you down and listen intently to folk who will build you up. Then cross reference a number of sources and select what works best for you.
Best of luck with your nucleus flock, I hope they reward you mentally and maybe even fiscally soon.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would hurry up and buy a ram lamb and put with your ewes, and buy a book about sheep farming, it's not rocket science

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would hurry up and buy a ram lamb and put with your ewes, and buy a book about sheep farming, it's not rocket science

 

[spin cycle]

I would hurry up and buy a ram lamb and put with your ewes, and buy a book about sheep farming, it's not rocket science

speak for yourself

 

[Bury the Trash]

I would hurry up and buy a ram lamb and put with your ewes, and buy a book about sheep farming, it's not rocket science

Well Ir rocket science is more straight forward

 

[bitwrx]

I'm afraid I know little to nothing about sheep, so can't help you on that front @Northernlad999. But I would echo the posters who've congratulated you for having the courage to ask for help.

As @Longlowdog says, listen (with a critical ear!) to the people who want to help, and use any negativity you encounter to reinforce your determination. There'll be plenty of people out there who want to help, but only if you get out there and find them.

Good luck. Hope you enjoy your sheep-keeping.

ETA: the paperwork side seems relatively straightforward. https://www.gov.uk/government/colle...f-sheep-goats-and-pigs#sheep-and-goat-keepers

 

[Northernlad999]

Thank you for your kind comments, we all have to start somewhere. Anyway my neighbouring farmer has been very kind and given me some good advice, he has advised me to leave them empty this year, and put a ram in next year, he checked my Ewes out and said all is good, and that I shouldn't buy any more for now, he also said that he will give me a hand with shearing etc... when the time comes, and if I need any advice on animal welfare to go and see him. So for now we have a plan to leave them empty and put the tup to them next Autumn.

 

[twizzel]

How old are the ewes? If you leave them empty just watch they don’t get too fat or they will struggle to get in lamb next year