I would like to now what breed of sheep are the best kind and what breeds I shuold bye

Thank u !

-- Mary Murphy (lilmiss_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), February 17, 2001

Answers

Mary: What do you want them for? There are breeds for market (meat) and breeds for wool production. Not that you can't use the wool ones for meat but some are better for one than the other. More info would be best to give us an idea of what you want. Thanks, Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 17, 2001.

Well I just want to try having some for pets and wool.

Mary Murphy

-- Mary Murphy (lilmiss_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), February 17, 2001.

Lots to consider, but shetlands are one breed with nice wool, also there are some goats that have nice hair for spinning, angoras, and mohair types. You will probably have to learn how to shear, unless you live near someone who knows how, and will be willing to shear a few. Just a warning, I started out with "bottle lambs" and didn't know that when the rams get older they can be a real pain! Ours actually was really loveable, as long as you stayed outside his pen and just petted him. If you went inside, you ran the risk of all 150+ pounds of him ramming you with his horns! My advice is start small with just a couple (they don't like to be alone)and see how you like them. They will eat your trees and garden plants if you let them run loose, also! They need worming, hoof trims, etc. Good luck, and let us know how you do with whatever breed you get! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 17, 2001.

Hi Mary: You may already know this, but many agriculture related universities have websites on livestock breeds (including sheep) that are sooo informative. My favorites are Oklahoma State University (my alma mater) and the University of Minnesota (I live in NW MN now). They also have lots of info on care and raising of livestock. To check them out go to www.ansi.okstate.edu and uh, I can't remember the Univ of MN site; but if you do a search, just include the name of the unive and something like animal science or sheep breeds and you will find a ton of info. Cynthia

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), February 17, 2001.

Tunis sheep are very gentle and friendly. They are redfaced,and rare which makes them even more fun to have. Their wool is medium length and is nice for spinning if you want to get into that. They also are excellent mothers and have lots of milk. I would not recommend any of the Cheviot breeds as they are very nervous and flighty sheep.Do you have a county fair in your area in the summer? A good place to see what breeds are in your area and a chance to talk to the owners . Sometimes your local cooperative extension can help too.Where you live makes a difference too. Romneys, another nice sheep with great wool, do well in wet areas such as the northwest.Usually the dark hoofed sheep do better on wet ground. Tunis's, from Northern Africa, adapt well to very hot weather.But we have them here in New York and they are fine.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), February 18, 2001.

My neighbor breeds and slaughters Dorsets.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), February 18, 2001.

Kate I would like to get some but how do they react in the winter.

thank's!

-- Mary Murphy (lilmiss_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), February 18, 2001.

Are you asking about the Tunis's? I have them here on my farm( along with Horned Dorsets, Romneys and a few natural colored sheep.We are in Catskills Mountains, minus 20 degrees in the winter. They do fine. In fact when I let the flock out in the morning, the tunis's make a beeline to the door and run and jump out to the hay feeders. Most of the Tunis sheep in this country are in New York and Pennsylvania. Contact me if you need names of breeders besides me. By the way, where are you?

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), February 18, 2001.

Hi Mary, You might want to consider Clun Forest sheep. They are a minor breed so maybe not real well known but we love them. They are a medium sized black faced (and black hoofed) sheep with medium length wool that spins up nice. They are very thrifty, lamb easily (lambs have small heads - twins and triplets are common). They are native to the Clun Forest region England which is somewhat hilly. They are easy keepers and do fine in colder regions. There are a few breeders in SW Wis. as well as out east.

-- Amy (gshep@aeroinc.net), February 22, 2001.