rare breed sheep

scub · 29-08-2011 9:09pm #1

Following on 'slightly' from an earlier post of some black sheep.

Does anyone here keep any rare breed sheep?

The_Conductor · 30-08-2011 7:17am

Galway sheep- do they count?

Mayo67 · 30-08-2011 7:39am

Hi

I keep some Shetland Sheep. The Shetland sheep is a small, fine-woolled breed of sheep originating in the Shetland Isles, but now also kept in many other parts of the world. It is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, and is closely related to the extinct Scottish Dunface. This breed is kept for its very fine wool, for meat, and for conservation grazing.

Although Shetlands are small and slow-growing compared to commercial breeds, they are hardy, thrifty, easy lambers, adaptable and long-lived. The Shetland breed has survived for centuries in difficult conditions and on a poor diet so they thrive in better conditions. Shetlands retain many of their primitive survival instincts so they are easier to care for than many modern breeds.

Love to hear from anyone else keeping Shetland sheep in Ireland.

scub · 30-08-2011 10:30pm

I've been keeping suffolk x's in an attempt to clear ragworth organically and they have been amazing at it and the sheep have grown on me as well.

So i've decided that keeping a few around full time would be nice. As i'm not driven be commercial needs (way too small to ever make a profit) I thought a rare breed would be the way to go.

Initially I thought Soay as they are on the 'at risk' category (http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/sheep) from a breed perspective , but in Ireland that seems to be more of a pet farm breed from what I have found so far and difficult to find someone that actually breeds them here.

While the sheep don't have to make a profit, they do need to be edible

The Shetlands sound an interesting breed and the Galways from my reading had an interesting past.

Also interestingly the Irish Moilied cow is also in the at risk category, it would be a shame to loose them, I am not sure i've ever actually seen one. Perhaps the petting farm in dublin zoo will need to get extended

LostCovey · 31-08-2011 12:01am

scub wrote: »

I've been keeping suffolk x's in an attempt to clear ragworth organically and they have been amazing at it and the sheep have grown on me as well.

Hi Scub,

A word of warning for your own sake:

Sheep are less susceptible to ragwort poisoning than cattle, but they are not immune to it as so many people think. Sheep die ragwort poisoning if they eat enough of it - a neighbour lost a load of them from it going back about ten years ago.

They have a higher tolerance for the harmful chemical in the plant than cattle, but thats all. If they get enough of it it will kill them by destroying their liver - toxic damage. However even if they don't die they are still accumulating the damage caused by the alkaloid poison in their liver.

A lot of sheep that graze on ragwort probably show no signs because they are slaughtered before they can get sick and die of ragwort poisoning.

LostCovey

Mayo67 · 31-08-2011 10:26am

Hi Scub
The Shetlands are very hardy and need little looking after. Strong maternal instincts with good milk yield. Need very little intrevention at lambing and have strong, hardy lambs.
Have a look at this site to read more and see the distinctive colour / markings;

www.shetland-sheep.org.uk/

They are slow growing hence are not really a commercial option. They do however kill out well with low fat cover and nice marbled meat. Ideal for own use / freezer.

I tend to rear the ram lambs for the freezer and sell off the ewe lambs that are not required as replacements.

Its a shame to hear that the Irish Moilied cow is on the at risk list.

If you just want a small flock of easy to manage sheep then Shetlands might fit the bill.

scub · 31-08-2011 10:31am

Hi LostCovey,

Thanks, I didn't know that - I thought they were the magic solution. The ones I have will be starting their second year here so I'll need to keep an eye on them.

The first year I pulled it all by hand, in the last year they eat the early shoot at ground level if they are in the paddock. If they come into the paddock after it has grown a little they seem to only go for the flowers.

So they aren't in a field full of it like you can see around the country at the moment. I wonder would that make a difference? I might need to go back to the drawing board on this one

scub · 31-08-2011 11:33am

Mayo67 thanks for that I will look into them later in the evening.

Sheepshead · 11-11-2011 2:57pm

Mayo67 I am looking to set up a starter flock of Shetland Sheep in West Cork and would appreciate any advise regarding importing from the UK etc.

benjamin999 · 14-11-2011 8:27pm

hi

i have all pure bred Dorset sheep. There lovely quiet sheep no hassel with them at all.

i want more but there getting very hard to get.:(

Conflats · 16-11-2011 10:31pm

benjamin999 wrote: »

hi

i have all pure bred Dorset sheep. There lovely quiet sheep no hassel with them at all. i want more but there getting very hard to get.:(

Are they horned dorset or polled?

benjamin999 · 16-11-2011 10:36pm

there all polled dorsets

razor8 · 06-09-2012 9:06pm

does anyone know of any rare breed sheep sales coming up?? i see i missed one in Raphoe on the 25th Aug

pauline86 · 04-04-2013 11:04pm

hi just wanted leave a quick msg.we have a few shetland sheep and are looking to get some more was wondering do u have any if so where didi u get them

pauline86 · 04-04-2013 11:05pm

hi we have some shetland sheep.we are lookin to get more did u get some after

kowtow · 05-04-2013 9:40am

I used to breed Oxford Downs - wonderful sheep, mammoth breed with great meat, easy growth, and natural early (Christmas for us) lambers. They make fantastic terminal sires and often fetch great prices at Ram sales.

Not sure if any active flocks in Ireland.

ballinruan · 23-10-2013 2:36pm

I have just found this site and so do not know if the previous poster is still looking for rare sheep breeds. I have just started keeping Wensleydales strictly for their fleece (I'm a spinner) and purchased them from a breeder in the ROI. I don't know if Wensleydales are still considered rare, but there are just a couple of breeders in Ireland. If you are still interested, please get in touch and I will pass on some info.

razor8 · 23-10-2013 2:38pm

what site?

ballinruan · 23-10-2013 8:35pm

The site I was referring to is this one, boards.ie.

Birdnuts · 24-02-2015 1:38pm

My wife has a thing for Jakobs after seeing some at a petting farm down the country on holidays. Bought a young ram and ewe last year so looking forward to twins the other side of Paddy's day.

p.sheridan · 19-07-2015 3:19pm

Hi, apologies in advance for digging out an old post. I am looking for a couple of miniature/smallish sheep in ireland. can travel to any of 32 counties. any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated. Hobby only. Not starting a flock.

IH784man · 21-07-2015 9:29am

Just to let anyone intrested know,there is a rare breed sale on in stranorlar mart on 1st of august. https://www.donedeal.ie/farmersnoticeboard-for-sale/rare-breeds-exhibition-sale/9717813

I have a zwartble ewe,she produced a great dorset cross ewe lamb,2 Dorsets,and a Hampshire down,I don't know if they are rare or not but there nice sheep and they have lambed 3 times in 2 years for me.

Dickie10 · 26-07-2015 10:59pm

hampshiire down ram here. great for getting lambs away early super growth rates.

IH784man · 27-07-2015 8:41am

My Hampshire down ewe lambed at Christmas last year,accidentally lambed in April and is due to lamb again next Christmas! she's a great ewe in fairness