Scottish Blackface

[RustyDHart]

They are an addicting breed....great personalities and individual characteristics. Photos don't do them justice....they're wonderful animals in person. Of course...lots of mine are spoiled rotten:/. There is a wonderful breeder in Virginia that shouldn't be too far from you...she has beautiful Scotties. Or...You can always come up here to the North and visit as well....I'll leave a light on for you....

 

[DaveK]

Thanks Beekissed.....They are pretty gentle...mine are anyway....I think it is how they are raised...I know that I got into a heated,verbal battle with a sheep lady from Michigan State University....she had said (having NEVER raised the breed)....that Scottish Blackface sheep would rather go over you than around you....WRONG!!!! Some maybe....any animal could be like that....like children.....it's how they are raised. Mine are not ALL pets...some are more aloof than others... HORNS....some people use the horns as handles for home made shepherd's crooks.....http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3034_sheeppics_015.jpg

Hi Rusty, I have almost no experience with these guys but did visit an interesting lady who worked both her Scotties and some North Country Cheviots with dogs. She enjoyed the fact that the two breeds functioned entirely differently, especially when pushed and demonstrated since we had time for a nice visit. Those particular Scotties would bluff but also back down and my impression was that they would NEVER have gone over us. Now, the NC Cheviots were, as she said, like bulldozers. Big, vigorous and very handsome. Also capable of and willing to bulldoze their way through you if not treated respectfully.

 

[DaveK]

Both....The famous Harris and Donegal tweeds are/were made from scottish Blackface wool...and they have a very lean, tasty meat...not large carcasses....but good size for the average family.....here is a photo of "Irish Acres Highland Orion"...a senior ramhttp://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3034_sheeppics_007.jpg

Is this the guy I liked so much in the photos at that waterfowl show? Bred from the ram that Tony found? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but when this breed is good man oh man are they magnificent.

 

[RustyDHart]

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[RustyDHart]

I got my first lamb born for 2011...."Irish Acres Highland Asta".....a wonderful Scottish Blackface ewe lamb born yesterday the 10th.....proud mother is "April" who has a photo here on this thread somewhere....(?) I'm sure there will be about 35 SBF lambs this year born. I hope everyone else has a great 2011 lamb crop..... I just checked...and the mother "April" is the very first photo on the first page of this thread.....hoping to send lamb photos later....

 

[cattlecait]

RustyD, I can't wait till I move back to Michigan and come raid your field

If your sheep disappear, message me, and I'll bring them back. I'll be sad, but I'll bring them back.

 

[RustyDHart]

....Caitlin, You are welcome anytime to come and visit....once you see the Scotties....you'll be hooked! I'll take some lamb photos as more lambs are born and we have nicer weather.

 

[cattlecait]

Well, turns out we'll be home sooner than expected, as in hopefully next May (2012). My mom made the mistake of mentioning she'd like some sheep someday, so as soon as hubby and I get back on the farm, I'm going to deliver on that wish.

I'm transferring back to Michigan State! Woohoo!

 

[RustyDHart]

Busy day.....3 sets of twins.....5 ram lambs and 1 ewe lamb.....all are doing fine.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Busy day.....3 sets of twins.....5 ram lambs and 1 ewe lamb.....all are doing fine.

I know you didn't just post about new lambs and not post pictures too!! Congrats!