Starting a new flock

[liammogs]

Somthing like a dorset ewe very mothering etc and then cross with a beltex tup, if you want lambs all year round insted of 20 ready to go in one time etc either push them intensivly or let the ewe and grass do the work!! Youll have good lambs with tromendous carcass to sell

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

We have mainly mules and a pedigree Dorset Down flock, and although forty years out of date the Mule x Dorset works for us as a reasonable lamb to sell as meat, bit of a story, dont all finish in the same week so you can have a continuing supply, and the mules scan at 200% (except this year)

And one TV Chef came out in favour of the Dorset as the best flavoured lamb. (obviously could be any number of reasons for that, but again, good story)

 

[Ysgythan]

You've made me laugh with that suggestion before. What's your experience of them to say that?

Mother in law likes them. They go down to buy a load every few years. Keeps them as land sheep on a hill farm. Runs to a Texel with good results.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Mother in law likes them. They go down to buy a load every few years. Keeps them as land sheep on a hill farm. Runs to a Texel with good results.

Takes all sorts!
My recently departed uncle loved his hornies. But I and most people I know think they're horrible to work with! 1 chap I knew said if he won the lottery he was going to buy every horned ram on Exmoor - and kill the lot!

As with many traditional breeds, the op would have to watch the fat levels if wanting to go that route on good ground.

 

[hendrebc]

If yur new to the job make it as easy as you can for yourself. Lleyn are good and easy to.keep (or some are some no better than abything else) nz romney, highlander and quote a few others are good choices. Oreasycares or exlanas if you dont want to faff about with wool. Theyre the kinds of things i would choose but im not you and theres no point you keeping any sheep if you dont like the them or you wont enjoy keeping them. If you dont enjoy keeping them you wont do your best with them then

 

[GTB]

I would go for either Exlana/Easycare for ease of management. Breed about 1/3 pure for replacements and 2/3 to a continental breed .

Or go for poll Dorsets and try to breed some early and late to get an all year supply.

Also as said don't get carried away with numbers. I'd say two hundred ewes to start with and build up from there. A couple of cows would be more beneficial to the land and sheep than more sheep. You could sell the cattle in boxes too.

 

[Ysgythan]

Takes all sorts!
My recently departed uncle loved his hornies. But I and most people I know think they're horrible to work with! 1 chap I knew said if he won the lottery he was going to buy every horned ram on Exmoor - and kill the lot!

As with many traditional breeds, the op would have to watch the fat levels if wanting to go that route on good ground.

They're a bit dopey but they also have Soays.