The sheep thread

Keeperlit

I thought i would start a sheep thread which may provide insight and advice regarding all things sheep!
I will start off the thread seeking views about different sheep breeds but feel free to diverge into any matters regarding sheep!





As the Scotish Blackface ewe numbers have dwindled since headage etc has been done away and farmers aiming form a mule or crossbred ewe which combination has proven to be most sucessful???

Scotch x Blue Leicester (Mayo mule Type)

Scotch x Texel/Suffolk

Scotch x Cheviot

Others?


The Mayo mule ewe is developing with potential with superb replacement ewes but may need more bone to be easier finished?



Lleyns are the buzz word in sheep farming at the minute due to their easy care attributes but will these sheep survive on the west of Ireland uplands?I often hear they are prolific.....surely this wudnt suit upland areas?


The Belclare breed has not been promoted recently?I would like to hear breeders views on why this ewe hasnt been pushed more?

masse5455

i have 350 ewes 80 are 2nd crop mayo mules which were crossed with 2 charlois rams id nealy a lambing rate a 2.3 outa them savage mothers they lambed after st patricks day for me and all my replacement ewe lambs will be coming from them. hope to buy 50 r 60 more this year in balirobe

Cran

700 ewes of which approx 500 are now mules, great mothers and prolific. I cross them all to charollais, and agree need something to get lambs in a little earlier think is down to quality of blue rams available in Ireland. Need to buy the better quality ewe lamb mules as replacement as big difference between top and bottom quality.

also don't believe anyone perfect breed or system, mine suits me because I'm part time, would I use all mule / charollais if full time don't believe so prob have some texel blood in there.

Keeperlit

Running 700 ewes is no easy task doin it part time!How do u manage at lambing

Cran

with great difficulty!! a no realy take two weeks off and then for a 3rd week have a guy doing the lambing... not fun for the month or so as normally up at 6 before work to check everything...
have found that slight changes in system have reduced the workload considerable. such as ram effect, lambing out, breed change etc

jhn_noln

running 700 ewes is no easy task full time never mind part time id say!! do you lamb everything outside or are they housed?

Cran

all outside starting end of march over 90% finished in 3 weeks. there are days when you think move back inside but the good days always out weight the bad... couple of golden rules I swear by fencing, good dog, handling unit, easy lambing sire, good feet, prevention treatment as much as possible and right ewe breed no rocket science but when all together adds up to big time savings

masse5455

jes ur some man ive around 350 and 100 hoggets dropping every year and im full time and i do be flat out with them how do u find the charlois i have two of them not very happy with them this year, thinking of going going back to crossing black ewes with boader leister and texrls again and suffock with the white ewes had an awful lot a trouble with charlois lambs and poor feet compared to the suffock cross lambs and the vendeen cross lambs.

Cran

jesus massey up early or don't sleep?

find the charollais brilliant, one thing on them though more than any other breed there is nothing worse than a bad charollais... if I buy a ram and find it and the lambs bad on the feet never buy again, currently have alot of rams from one breeder that are brilliant on the feet. Good feet are neccessity don't have time for turnover crate and pairing etc, do footbath though. As for hoggets I never put lambs to the ram, again can double your workload quickly

masse5455

ive a few autumn cows calving thats why i was up. i wont be giving as many ewes to the charlois this year. im going to buy a 2 new texel and a boader leister to breed replacements

razor8

Just come across this cran, 700 and part time, thats some feat,
i have 300 and part time, but starting to find the strain. do you mind me asking, are you married with children. I have 3 under 3 and find myself going around like a zombie from lack of sleep!

Cran

razor8 wrote: »

Just come across this cran, 700 and part time, thats some feat,
i have 300 and part time, but starting to find the strain. do you mind me asking, are you married with children. I have 3 under 3 and find myself going around like a zombie from lack of sleep!

Dragging up an old trend:) just reading this trend again is interesting as my status has changed considerable since, no children but due to status change may not to far away maybe:eek:

Still running the ewes and recently lost good workman.... I'm always looking at situation and I understand at some stage decisions need to be made as circumstances change, but that's okay have always been quick to do so and lucky land is of a standard to change enterprise easily. Happy with set-up at the moment, but need to address labour issue as priority and have ordered a new handling unit.....

razor8

Cran wrote: »

Dragging up an old trend:) just reading this trend again is interesting as my status has changed considerable since, no children but due to status change may not to far away maybe:eek:

Still running the ewes and recently lost good workman.... I'm always looking at situation and I understand at some stage decisions need to be made as circumstances change, but that's okay have always been quick to do so and lucky land is of a standard to change enterprise easily. Happy with set-up at the moment, but need to address labour issue as priority and have ordered a new handling unit.....

with only 300 i couldnt afford a workman. thank god my Dad is always around to help and i lean on him a lot. I have spent a lot of money on fencing this year and also bout a simple handling unit which works really well. Hope this allows for some more family time.