Thinking of getting a Charollais.........am I completely bonkers?.......

[CharcoalWally]

Thinking about going back to the Charollais for ease of lambing in the first time lambers, as not happy with results from the Texel and the Beltex on this score.

The plus points.......
Had them before and they make cracking prime lambs.

The negative points........
Outdoor lambing flock. Late April onwards on an exposed coastal farm.

Soooooo , I'm tempted to go back to what I know, but if anyone else has any other ideas, then I'm open to suggestions.

TIA.

 

[Macsky]

What ewes?

 

[JP1]

Why not try a Roussin? The breed society are considering placing 4 rams with commercial flockmasters to show the breed's virtues

As a fan of maternal terminals this might be right up your street?

@Sandpit Farm @SheepTerrier

 

[CharcoalWally]

What ewes?

Scotch Mule, Texel X Mule , and Texel X BFL X Blackie.

 

[CharcoalWally]

Why not try a Roussin? The breed society are considering placing 4 rams with commercial flockmasters to show the breed's virtues

As a fan of maternal terminals this might be right up your street?

@Sandpit Farm @SheepTerrier

Was my original first choice @JP1 , but they're as rare as hen's teeth up here. Still hoping to give a Roussin a go in the future. You're right in that I'm always interested in trying to find an ovine version of the Simmental cow.

I suspect that the Roussin have something to offer, and if the Society are interested, my number's in the book.......

 

[Northeastfarmer]

@neilo
Is he bonkers

 

[Green farmer]

Sitting back with the pop corn and waiting for @neilo to arrive.

 

[neilo]

@neilo
Is he bonkers

That rather depends on the type of Charollais he goes for I guess. A thin skinned, red headed one is going to have a hard time outdoor lambing on an exposed coastal farm in Scotland, and a big boned, late maturing ‘Aberdeenshire’ type will produce lambs that are even harder to finish off grass than Texels. Pick the right type of ram and they’ll be fine.

As for using a Roussin, i’d Be interested in seeing the comparison, but hardly comparing like with like is it? One’s a fast growing, easy fleshing terminal sire, the other is trying to be a Jack of all trades.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

That rather depends on the type of Charollais he goes for I guess. A thin skinned, red headed one is going to have a hard time outdoor lambing on an exposed coastal farm in Scotland, and a big boned, late maturing ‘Aberdeenshire’ type will produce lambs that are even harder to finish off grass than Texels. Pick the right type of ram and they’ll be fine.

As for using a Roussin, i’d Be interested in seeing the comparison, but hardly comparing like with like is it? One’s a fast growing, easy fleshing terminal sire, the other is trying to be a Jack of all trades.

My vote would go for a Charollais over a roussin

 

[neilo]

My vote would go for a Charollais over a roussin

Mine too, as a terminal sire. I don’t see that they are remotely comparable tbh.

 

[JP1]

The OP's point was first time lambers for a start

 

[CharcoalWally]

Mine too, as a terminal sire. I don’t see that they are remotely comparable tbh.

But that's their problem. They're only a terminal breed. They can't be used to look ahead to give a self replacing flock, if such an idea becomes possible. I'd keep an open mind, and i wouldn't be down on breed I'd never tried.

 

[CharcoalWally]

The OP's point was first time lambers for a start

Correct. The starting point was breeds with a reputation as easier lambers.

 

[Jerry]

The OP's point was first time lambers for a start

All my ewe lambs and un lambed shearlings go to a Charolaise and have done so for some years with little issues.

And that’s outside lambing in Feb/March all be it I’m in the south of the country. Having said that they coped very well in the beast from the east two years ago.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

But that's their problem. They're only a terminal breed. They can't be used to look ahead to give a self replacing flock, if such an idea becomes possible. I'd keep an open mind, and i wouldn't be down on breed I'd never tried.

Why’s that....best ewes I have are charallois x beltex...they are great mothers and milk like a cow

 

[CharcoalWally]

All my ewe lambs and un lambed shearlings go to a Charolaise and have done so for some years with little issues.

And that’s outside lambing in Feb/March all be it I’m in the south of the country. Having said that they coped very well in the beast from the east two years ago.

Good to hear @Jerry .

My first venture into the breed was to tup hoggs many moons ago. They replaced the Suffolk, and they made life a lot easier in that aspect. Easy lambed and vigorous at birth. But lambing them outdoors was always a risk. In my mind, I'm still wondering if there's anything else to try that stand the weather better, and lamb easy.

 

[Bones]

Vendeem, or Hampshire

 

[CharcoalWally]

Why’s that....best ewes I have are charallois x beltex...they are great mothers and milk like a cow

I tried Charollais X females in a few different ways in the past and didn't like any of them. Didn't milk for long enough, and were absolute nutters to handle to boot. Didn't try crossing them with the Beltex though....

 

[Jerry]

Good to hear @Jerry .

My first venture into the breed was to tup hoggs many moons ago. They replaced the Suffolk, and they made life a lot easier in that aspect. Easy lambed and vigorous at birth. But lambing them outdoors was always a risk. In my mind, I'm still wondering if there's anything else to try that stand the weather better, and lamb easy.

I spent a lot of time researching breeders and going to look at rams before I plumped for them.

I was worried but I'm in free draining light soil and my lambing fields are well sheltered.

95 % of my ewes are lleyns.

Their Vigour at birth is a big plus coupled with a good mother.

I do use lamb macs at times but if its forecast dry for 72 hours then I leave them alone.

Resulting lambs are crackers and sell very well live and suit my private sales perfectly.

 

[puppet]

We use a Charollais on ewe lambs and they tend to lamb easier. Put on flesh easily though perhaps not the higher weights.
Some lambs will look like a chihuahua so will need some time indoors. Most seem OK lambing outside here late March but we have had some better weather recent years. Normal years will have some days which will kill any new-born lambs.