shetland sheep for dummies

[Woolless]

No.

The only use for a Shetland tup is breeding pure Shetland ewes. If you’ve got a better ewe, why debase her/devalue the lambs by introducing Shetland blood? Just use pure maternal on your maternal ewe lambs, you’ll speed genetic gain.

i pre-lamb sheared my Shetland drafts last year. Imagine my surprise when 2 of the scanned empty ewes turned out to be broken mouth wethers, double tagged as ewes. All ewes were warranted as free from mastitis, and these boys were I suppose

One jumped out the pen repeatedly and didn’t get to see a shearer, he became dog food on the spot. The other was clipped and marked with a large red “W” on each side, then returned to the ewe flock. He was never seen again from that day to this. In my mind he’s a legend among the ewes. Almost like a Shetland sheep King Arthur, gone for now, but with the promise he will return when his people need him most.

'The once and future mutton dinner'?

 

[Brakefield]

Good quality

Shetland tup

Pick one.

Does this not count as a “Good Quality” Shetland tup?

 

[Greythundercloudys]

I wish l could get some young ewes, they are amazing mothers and the lmbs are the size of the mothers come August, September. I bought afew last year great but they like to rack about a bit. Hope over a low fence no bother.

 

[Nithsdale]

barstewards would still escape

 

[unlacedgecko]

View attachment 927505

barstewards would still escape

Escaping isn't the problem. It's once they have escaped they bomb burst then E&E like air crew that causes the issues. Fückers just don't flock properly.

 

[Nithsdale]

Escaping isn't the problem. It's once they have escaped they bomb burst then E&E like air crew that causes the issues. Fückers just don't flock properly.

They definitely don't. They'll make an arse of the best dog without trying.

But I'm sure they're descendant from rats - they can escape though holes half the size of themselves.

 

[AT Aloss]

If you're looking to get some fresh bloodlines into you Narfuk Hurdlers then look no further @spin cycle - we've got 3 Herdy tup lambs that 'evaded' the elastrator and the old bitch is getting fed up with having to return them to their allocated field
At least she can get 'em there without me having to go and open the feckin' gates....

I thought my Lleyns were ready for the Grand National, but having seen these they'd not win now

 

[Jockers84]

Good quality

Shetland tup

Pick one.

One of the better ones? does that sound better?

 

[Fendt516profi]

I wish l could get some young ewes, they are amazing mothers and the lmbs are the size of the mothers come August, September. I bought afew last year great but they like to rack about a bit. Hope over a low fence no bother.

Ours must of been small cause the lambs dwarfed the sheep a when the twin lambs went under for a suck together and bumped the sheep they'd lift her off ground

 

[unlacedgecko]

Ours must of been small cause the lambs dwarfed the sheep a when the twin lambs went under for a suck together and bumped the sheep they'd lift her off ground

Kg of lamb weaned per ha they're hard to beat.

 

[andybk]

They definitely don't. They'll make an arse of the best dog without trying.

But I'm sure they're descendant from rats - they can escape though holes half the size of themselves.

20 of them got through a 6" gap here between steel door and shed stansion , wouldnt have believed it if i hadnt ,measured it

 

[Nithsdale]

Kg of lamb weaned per ha they're hard to beat.

Yes! I do believe they are probably one of the best sheep. It's amazing the lambs they can rear


If we could just breed the wild arsehole attitude out of them

 

[scholland]

They definitely don't. They'll make an arse of the best dog without trying.

But I'm sure they're descendant from rats - they can escape though holes half the size of themselves.

You need a rough and ready dog, anything strong eyed is a waste of time.
They're good practice for a young dog, makes them think.

 

[Woolless]

You need a rough and ready dog, anything strong eyed is a waste of time.
They're good practice for a young dog, makes them think.

My two bitches both fit that bill! Pity I had them spayed or I could have been selling pups for fun up to Shetland

 

[steveR]

If you're looking to get some fresh bloodlines into you Narfuk Hurdlers then look no further @spin cycle - we've got 3 Herdy tup lambs that 'evaded' the elastrator and the old bitch is getting fed up with having to return them to their allocated field
At least she can get 'em there without me having to go and open the feckin' gates....

Love the comment from one Herwick breeder on the breed page. They must vary a bit...

"
The flock originates from some of the best herdwick sheep breeders in Cumbria.

The sheep are respectful of fences, quiet, very easy to handle and come to a bucket.

 

[clod hopper]

You need to take a step back Spin Maester.
Why do we keep sheep ? For some it is the wool. For others is the milk. In some parts of the World (Wales, Derby) it is for the 'companionship'. All valid reasons to keep a sheep. But for most of us, it is the taste.
Step forward the Portland. Nothing, bar nothing, beats the taste of Portland.
If only there was a ram lamb for sale somewhere...
Your lucky day, I reckon I can fit him in a Hermes box .

View attachment 927486

Cheeky mare!!!

 

[CopperBeech]

They are comical little things, used to have quite a few, probably got 20-30 kicking about the place. Ultimate escape artists and wander and roam like no other sheep, however can be kept in and once they’ve been educated by a good dog they tend to flock and herd well enough, always at the front though . Rear some very impressive lambs, wide pelvis and lots of milk. Deffo a big variation, from a 25 kilo ewes to a 40/45 kilo ewe, the white ones tend to be the stronger, meatier type. Do know someone using Shetland’s on Romney’s (probably the person mentioned above) and personally think there are far better sheep for the job. But I can see why folk do it.

 

[Al R]

They definitely don't. They'll make an arse of the best dog without trying.

But I'm sure they're descendant from rats - they can escape though holes half the size of themselves.

Some of my exlana X Welsh ewes will go through a hole under the fence a badger has made thankfully once their over 65kg they can’t actually fit. Got welsh tackling 6 strand barb continuously, they put their necks through to get hair onto the barb and then once 3-4 have rubbed their neck hair on the barb they can charge through without getting spiked.

 

[spin cycle]

my current 'norfolk hurdlers' are wilt/exlana based....thinking i might need to breed in little attitude ready for big match v YB's lincs leapers

 

[yellowbelly]

my current 'norfolk hurdlers' are wilt/exlana based....thinking i might need to breed in little attitude ready for big match v YB's lincs leapers

Bring it on........ the young dog is casting his eyes over some of the team.......