Starting out sheep flock

[KanglesFarm]

Hello I am a teenager mad about sheep
I have some coloured Ryeland ewes on borrowed grazing, no housing, no trailer. I want to make progress, maybe some commercial crosses, calves in borrowed housing or breeding Ryelands for niche fleece sales and mutton/hogget. This is entirely my initiative, my parents are not farmers. Any advice welcomed Cheers!

 

[yellowbelly]

Hello @KanglesFarm. Welcome to TFF.
What made you choose Ryelands?
How many do you have?
Are they in lamb?
Have you plenty of grazing?

So many questions. Tell us more.

 

[KanglesFarm]

I love coloured Ryelands! Plus they are hardy, good lambers and many people recommended them to me. I have two shearling ewes (not in lamb). I borrow a 1.5 ac paddock although in a 17ac field with only 6 ponies to graze it so I could probably get more grazing. I have a tiny feed shed at my house in a small half acre orchard which I have used for grazing in the past.

 

[Man_in_black]

At your age & not coming from farming wouldn't, i wouldnt worry too much about commercial side of things. Just choose sheep you like (plenty of time before you have to start scream & swear at them!) and get to know sheep, how to handle them, signs of a happy or unhappy ewe. Read lots & believe some of what you read on here. Most of all enjoy spending time working with them.

Where are you located?

 

[yellowbelly]

I have two shearling ewes (not in lamb).

Looks like your first income will be the wool cheque then

Is there anyone nearby with sheep who might let you help out at shearing in return for getting yours clipped. It may also be a good opportunity for you to get more hands on experience.

 

[KanglesFarm]

I am located in North Kent. One of my main difficulties is few local shows, marts and other ways of making contacts. However, I did make contact with a local grower and shepherd who clipped my sheep (I walked my ewes a mile through the village on halters)

 

[Mc115reed]

Personally my advice would be keep your little flock to a minimum for now and get to your local sheep farm and beg for a job.... this way you will learn everything there is to know about sheep from an experienced Shepard and if you mess up it's not the end of the world.... where as if you mess up with your 2-3 sheep it could take you a year to recover from your mistake....

Look into the breeding side of the ryelands and work on producing a high quality lamb out of them to take to shows and then to the Ludlow show and sale and you could make a good pocket full [emoji6] good pedigree coloured lambs can retail anything from £150 a head up to £400 is the most Iv seen paid but I'm sure a lot more will have been paid somewhere!

 

[It was already broken.]

Great idea to walk your sheep through the village to get them clipped, good advert for your lamb and meat sales. This year invite the local paper to send along a photographer and get some photos on fb then when you are selling stock and meat you can get locals interested. This kind of marketing will really help you to generate interest.

 

[Man_in_black]

Great idea to walk your sheep through the village to get them clipped, good advert for your lamb and meat sales. This year invite the local paper to send along a photographer and get some photos on fb then when you are selling stock and meat you can get locals interested. This kind of marketing will really help you to generate interest.

Especially given your age. Good on ya fella.

 

[KanglesFarm]

Already had the paper to take photos! Ahead of the game

 

[Mc115reed]

You'd be better while your flock is small selling your meat through Facebook etc as rare breed lamb freezer packs straight from the butcher (killed to order don't kill them then freeze yourself people like to see it's fresh not been frozen 6 months!) Iv found with mine can get £60 a half lamb or £100 for full where as just sending them to get killed and taking money they only pay £60-70 and once youv a loyal customer base you'll get regular orders off there friends and family also...