Sheep for grazing reseeded ground

k mac

Am thinking of buying sheep for ground i reseeded. Have no experience with sheep, what would be best to buy, hopefully ones that will stay in my field most of the them and not the neighbours!!! Also is it true i need a special herd number to buy sheep?

simx

k mac wrote: »

Am thinking of buying sheep for ground i reseeded. Have no experience with sheep, what would be best to buy, hopefully ones that will stay in my field most of the them and not the neighbours!!! Also is it true i need a special herd number to buy sheep?

you just need to ring department and tell them you want to buy some sheep and theyll send on a flock register, as for what to buy thats a hard call, was thinking of getting a few for the same reason in a few weeks, i was maybe planning on buying cast ewes, they mightnt roam as easy as lambs, maybe they would i dont know, otherwise store lambs i suppose, whats fencing like?

J.O. Farmer

simx wrote: »

you just need to ring department and tell them you want to buy some sheep and theyll send on a flock register, as for what to buy thats a hard call, was thinking of getting a few for the same reason in a few weeks, i was maybe planning on buying cast ewes, they mightnt roam as easy as lambs, maybe they would i dont know, otherwise store lambs i suppose, whats fencing like?

I'd say ewes would be more likely than lambs to wander if anything. That said if you've reseeded ground with plenty of grass they won't wander far.
I'd say go with a lowland breed and train them to the electric fence if you can.
If you notice 1 or 2 tending to thieve bring them away from the rest before they encourage others to follow. Sheep are easier held in general than their reputation would have you believe.

k mac

simx wrote: »

you just need to ring department and tell them you want to buy some sheep and theyll send on a flock register, as for what to buy thats a hard call, was thinking of getting a few for the same reason in a few weeks, i was maybe planning on buying cast ewes, they mightnt roam as easy as lambs, maybe they would i dont know, otherwise store lambs i suppose, whats fencing like?

The plan for fencing is there is 1 row of mains all round and i plan to put another row lower down, going to use the nylon type electric fence wire as i plan to gather up again. I presume the charge will flow alright from the high tensile mains wire to this.

tomwaterford

k mac wrote: »

The plan for fencing is there is 1 row of mains all round and i plan to put another row lower down, going to use the nylon type electric fence wire as i plan to gather up again. I presume the charge will flow alright from the high tensile mains wire to this.

you will do well to keep them with 2 rows:pac:

be sure and buy lowland (not charollais), if you are to have any hope

Username John

k mac wrote: »

The plan for fencing is there is 1 row of mains all round and i plan to put another row lower down, going to use the nylon type electric fence wire as i plan to gather up again. I presume the charge will flow alright from the high tensile mains wire to this.

I'd say they'll break the poly wire. They do it a bit here anyways, and they sheep here would be mostly used to the fencer...

Farrell

Username John wrote: »

I'd say they'll break the poly wire. They do it a bit here anyways, and they sheep here would be mostly used to the fencer...

Do it here, mainly Suffolk & had the few mayo mules, no trouble until fence is off.
one or two shocks early does the trick.
Know a guy who buys mountain lambs for the winter, similar set up with no issue

Username John

Farrell wrote: »

Do it here, mainly Suffolk & had the few mayo mules, no trouble until fence is off.
one or two shocks early does the trick.
Know a guy who buys mountain lambs for the winter, similar set up with no issue

I will say its one field in particular I have trouble in, and the poly wire is top strand, so that is prob a lot of the cause.

k mac

If i buy store lambs when would they fit for killing. I hope to keep them till maybe mid february.

tomwaterford

k mac wrote: »

If i buy store lambs when would they fit for killing. I hope to keep them till maybe mid february.

surly this would depend on size/breed of said store lambs??