Breed recomendation

[manybirds]

I probably won't be getting any more sheep any time soon but you can never plan to soon. I figure by the time i'm gradutated from college i should have what species and breeds etc all picked out lol. i'm reading stories guide to sheep now but ur advice is really appreciated. here's my requirements:
1. I want it to be a rare and heritage breed. NOT like suffolk or hampshire, i want to be part of helping to save a dying breed. (i have one hamp that'll stay until she dies and i like her but i don't want any more like that)
2. hardy and does well on grass and forage, not much trouble with worms, good feat.
3. good flocking instinct owuld be nice but not required.
4. produces fair amounts of meat (enough for small family) a year and fair/average wool production.
5. i'de like a wool breed. when i envision my flock i like to think of big fluffy sheep out there on my pasture
6. Easy lambing, with plenty of little babies
7. Good temperment. i don't want skiddish or mean sheep.
8. can handle extremes of both tempertures.
9.I'm not partial about appearance i really don't care.

c not many requirements lol

 

[bonbean01]

Sheepgirl posted an excellent "Breed Selector" that would help you:

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=17115

 

[Symphony]

Icelandic Sheep meet most of those specifications. Shetlands are good too.

 

[SheepGirl]

I think Lincoln Longwools would be a good choice. They are a long wool breed and they shear a heavy fleece. They are large, so they should give you a good sized carcass, too.

 

[manybirds]

Icelandic Sheep meet most of those specifications. Shetlands are good too.

though i do think there cute, there's ALOT of them in my area, they're small producing a small carcass.

 

[manybirds]

I think Lincoln Longwools would be a good choice. They are a long wool breed and they shear a heavy fleece. They are large, so they should give you a good sized carcass, too.

i like the look of those! I'll read up on them

 

[BrownSheep]

I enjoy my horn Dorsets.

 

[Roving Jacobs]

Maybe Tunis? Everyone I know who has them raves about how easy they are and how delicious their meat is. Plus I think their little red lambs are adorable

 

[Bridgemoof]

I was thinking Tunis too. I have 2, oh no 3 now. They are a good meat/wool sheep. They are medium to big, but not too big. Their wool is medium. They have pleasant dispositions, not super sweet, but not skittish or flighty. Fairly easy to handle, good flockers. Great mothers, and I think twin easily, and if I'm not mistaken, year-round breeders.

BUT, their hooves, ugh. They don't do well in a moist climate. We are constantly having trouble with hoof problems. I was actually surprised the other day to see one of them running. That was the first time I ever saw her run in the 9 months we've had them. Usually they are limping along.

My favorite sheep are the Cormos, for sure.

 

[BrownSheep]

Thought I'ld add a bit about the Horn Dorset now that I have time.
Dorsets are white sheep with open faces and long bodies. Ewes weigh 150200 pounds, and rams weigh 225275 pounds. The sheep are avid grazers and use feed well. Ewes are heavy milkers, easily able to raise their own lambs. They have also been used in dairying. Dorset sheep produce between five and nine pounds of medium grade wool per year.
The single most important attribute of the Dorset is its extended breeding season, also called nonseasonal or aseasonal breeding. This characteristic, not found in any other British breed, is an important performance trait. Sheep of most breeds are seasonal breeders, mating in the fall and producing lambs in the spring. In contrast, Dorsets can be bred in the spring for production of lambs in the fall. Some ewes will raise two sets of lambs a year, with multiple births not uncommon. Dorsets tolerate heat well, and heat tolerance contributes to Dorset rams ability to breed earlier in the season than rams of other breeds.
http://albc-usa.org/cpl/dorset.html