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Advice on starting pedigree flock

  • 05-02-2011 07:45PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭


    I am thinking off starting a small pedigree flock (2-5) ewes. I would like to hear the pros and cons to keeping pedigree sheep and the costs/profits involved.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭5live


    What type of pedigree? There are 2 levels, the elite selling to pedigree breeders or multipliers who sell to commercial flocks. It takes lots of time driving around the country for shows and you need to be well placed in whatever shows are important for your breed if you are going for the top level. It is more local shows and getting known by people looking for rams for the lower level


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 jtex


    All depends on how you plan to manage your flock. You can pampar the ewes, give them lots of feed and hope they produce, buy in top looking ewes and flush the hell out them and hope you get something or buy the best you can afford, run your ewes on a commercial basis see what bloodlines are breeding through and cull hard to keep quality at the level your striving for.

    As for shows it's up to yourself but most of the top lambs normally don't get shown till thier premier sale time, older stock are normally shown.

    We keep 60+ ewes and the main aim is breeding commercial rams if a breeders ram pops up it's a bonus. This year we sold 2 to breeders and 28 to commercial farmers. There will always be a bigger outlet to the commercial side.


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