Which sheep breed

[GAM]

I am thinking of having a change, I would like to sell the 50ish mixed ewes I have and gradually buy a flock of all the same breed!
I have been advised to buy either, Texels, Suffolk, Charolais or Mules, I live in West Wales if this helps... Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Agrivator]

North Country Cheviot. The Society would be able to give you a list of the nearest breeders. You did have a Welsh President recently.

Wales Breeder is New North Country Cheviot Society President

The man who established the North Country Cheviot in Wales has been elected President of the breed society. David Pittendreigh brought a small flock from the Black Isle, north of Inverness, when he moved to West Wales in the early seventies as a farm manager.

www.stackyard.com

 

[primmiemoo]

Hi there,

Are the sheep you have causing you any problems? Speaking first hand, if your harlequin flock is healthy, fertile and fecund, there's a lifetime of interest in developing your own type of sheep. You have a considerable, some might say enviable, advantage of knowing your starting point, and of your sheep knowing you.

 

[GAM]

Hi there,

Are the sheep you have causing you any problems? Speaking first hand, if your harlequin flock is healthy, fertile and fecund, there's a lifetime of interest in developing your own type of sheep. You have a considerable, some might say enviable, advantage of knowing your starting point, and of your sheep knowing you.

Sheep are all good, just to many different types.. I would just like to start over again with a few lambs.

 

[Macsky]

What’s your market? Store/fat/breeding?

 

[Skintagain]

Have you got bored of the sheep?

I know a lad who want to change the breed of sheep every few years as they are no good for his ‘system’ but the underlying thing is that he is bored of them. Spends a fortune and then blows his brains out when he gets shut. If you put a similar ram onto your existing sheep you will have a stamp across the flock within a few years of keeping gimmers.

 

[neilo]

What’s your market? Store/fat/breeding?

And is the op looking to breed his own replacements, or happy enough to buy in each year?

What sort of ground & altitude is it? ‘West Wales’ varies between rock and prime dairy country where the grass never stops growing...

 

[GAM]

What’s your market? Store/fat/breeding?

Keep the ewes and sell the lambs off.

 

[neilo]

What’s your market? Store/fat/breeding?

And is the op looking to breed his own replacements, or happy enough to buy in each year?

What sort of ground & altitude is it? ‘West Wales’ varies between rock and prime dairy country where the grass never stops growing...

 

[GAM]

And is the op looking to breed his own replacements, or happy enough to buy in each year?

What sort of ground & altitude is it? ‘West Wales’ varies between rock and prime dairy country where the grass never stops growing...

Good grass.

 

[GAM]

Have you got bored of the sheep?

I know a lad who want to change the breed of sheep every few years as they are no good for his ‘system’ but the underlying thing is that he is bored of them. Spends a fortune and then blows his brains out when he gets shut. If you put a similar ram onto your existing sheep you will have a stamp across the flock within a few years of keeping gimmers.

Far from bored! I’m just getting keen, and would like to start again with my own flock, and not all the cast off‘s I have accumulated over the last three years....

 

[Dicky.A]

When are you lambing??

 

[GAM]

When are you lambing??

I haven't got the flock I want yet, so I have know planed lambing date! My Son if looking after the 48 mixed ewes we have now..

 

[Dicky.A]

That can determine breed.

 

[GAM]

That can determine breed.

Thank You, can you help me and possibly others by explaining why?

 

[Al R]

Thank You, can you help me and possibly others by explaining why?

Dorset/charmoise/dorper could lamb all year, Suffolk/Charolais December-February, texel February, mules better in March, hill breeds late March-April. I sent you a PM btw..

 

[Dicky.A]

As above.
Suffolk, Charolais or crosses of, December onwards, Mules late February onwards.
As day light length shortens Ewe produces melotonin which starts her cycle. Some breeds cycle sooner than others.

 

[GAM]

As above.
Suffolk, Charolais or crosses of, December onwards, Mules late February onwards.
As day light length shortens Ewe produces melotonin which starts her cycle. Some breeds cycle sooner than others.

Wow, that's Very interesting! this is why I am doing a fair bit of research first before I take the plunge..
Thank You

 

[primmiemoo]

Wow, that's Very interesting! this is why I am doing a fair bit of research first before I take the plunge..
Thank You

If you don't mind a wait, a visit to the National Sheep Association Event might prove worthwhile. It's the big national one at Malvern next summer. There will be plenty of information about breeds, and examples there to look at and talk about.

Then there's the sheep sections at the agricultural shows to wander around, see what takes your eye.

 

[neilo]

If you don't mind a wait, a visit to the National Sheep Association Event might prove worthwhile. It's the big national one at Malvern next summer. There will be plenty of information about breeds, and examples there to look at and talk about.

Then there's the sheep sections at the agricultural shows to wander around, see what takes your eye.

A trip to a ag show would certainly tell you what can be achieved through heavy feeding & skilled trimming (handle a lot of Blue Texels for an example!).
A trip to Malvern would likely confuse even more, as every breed society claims their breed will tick every box, on every farm, on every system.....