Out in the Wilds
Member
Thinking of putting either Scotch Blackface Lanark type or Northumberland Blackie over the Swale to get the power and the frith back in them people's thoughts
Swaledale sheep sick of
- Thread starter Out in the Wilds
- Start date
I'm thinking of doing something similar but can't decide wether to use a blackie or a lonk or even a dalesbred. Would still want to breed a mule lamb
Speak for yourselfDelete the first word of your thread title and you will be nearer the mark....every shepherd is is sick this time of year, not a time to make rash decisions!
muleman
Member
I've very limited experience of Swales ---had 300 on tack for a winter & they got tangled in every bit of bramble they could find , had chronic feet problems and brought scab with themMaybe im just sick cos ive got swales...never looked at it that way
west coast angus
Member
Cross them out with hill cheviots! Job done
So you know all there is to know about swales!
I would go for a stocky Newton Stewart Blackface tup. Many years ago, a good Swaledale and a good Newton Stewart tup were fairly similar. It would help counteract the tall leggy badly conformed modern Swaledale.
It's not surprising - the Swaledale was developed from Scottish hill sheep - and until the late 60s, was referred to as Scotch, particularly in and around their native Swaledale.
It's not surprising - the Swaledale was developed from Scottish hill sheep - and until the late 60s, was referred to as Scotch, particularly in and around their native Swaledale.
- Location
- Cheshire
Those Northumberland blackie ewes throw a bloody nice mule
Skintagain
Member
- Location
- Perched on the Pennines
I think you could stick with swale but just be more careful sourcing rams big gene pool and a lot of variation. Stay away from fashion and you will be sound
Agree with comment re fashion! I buy tups to breed ewes, NOT tups... And NOT to breed bonny mules - to breed good strong sheep - they`ll still breed a good mule!!
Skintagain
Member
- Location
- Perched on the Pennines
Stick insects breed stick insects
That's my plan!Cross them out with hill cheviots! Job done
Stw88
Member
- Location
- Northumberland
This is what you will get. These are first cross back to the cheviot. Very impressed so far. Dont think there will be a horned tup going out this backend.
I like the look of them, they have very tight skins in the bottom picture. Those lambs look like like they will be worth a bit in the autumn.
My dad put a swale tup over blackies years ago in the 90s and said they where fiery as anything, the first cross where a little too fiery and no fence, wall or cattle grid could keep them but the second cross where much better and made good sheep.
I know a lot of fowk putting swale INTO their Blackies to try and breed a tougher hill sheep less prone to the usual “Blackie” problems!