Tell me more about Shetlands, Romney, and Jacobs

BlueMoonFarms

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So...I appear to be getting a Shetland ewe lamb a bit earlier then expected.
I picked up my LGD puppys: http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=24186 and...well...some of my family is very upset about putting the fluffy puppy's outside...So they pooled together and am buying me a Shetland sheep ewe lamb. Which I pick up on Thursday. So that the puppys will have something to snuggle with and help keep them warm...So, im not about to argue with them, hey i get a free and healthy ewe a few months earlier, but...
I would like to know a little bit more about the Shetlands since I focused on the Jacobs and Romney's.
And im taking this moment to gain more info on the breeds I was already planning on getting; one Jacobs, and one Romney.
 

Southern by choice

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Well I'm partial because I have 2 new Jacobs! I have no sheep experience at all! Wanted to make that clear!

The Jacobs we got came from someone we know and trust, she had some medical issues and long story short we took the two. What I really liked was that her dairy goats and her sheep are pastured together. They eat the same feed, when I asked about the copper she said in the Jacobs, at least in hers, they have no problems.. it is more of a copper storage issue and hers do not have storage issues. She has a lot of sheep and goats. They are very hardy, she said out of all the breeds of sheep she has had over the years the Jacobs never have parasite issues. She has them for the wool.

I can attest to the parasite non-issue... I took fecals home and checked them.. and then through quarantine I ran fecals every week. All is well.

It is so hard to choose with so many breeds of sheep! :)
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Southern by choice said:
Well I'm partial because I have 2 new Jacobs! I have no sheep experience at all! Wanted to make that clear!

The Jacobs we got came from someone we know and trust, she had some medical issues and long story short we took the two. What I really liked was that her dairy goats and her sheep are pastured together. They eat the same feed, when I asked about the copper she said in the Jacobs, at least in hers, they have no problems.. it is more of a copper storage issue and hers do not have storage issues. She has a lot of sheep and goats. They are very hardy, she said out of all the breeds of sheep she has had over the years the Jacobs never have parasite issues. She has them for the wool.

I can attest to the parasite non-issue... I took fecals home and checked them.. and then through quarantine I ran fecals every week. All is well.

It is so hard to choose with so many breeds of sheep! :)
That is what I keep reading about them, and thats why I am getting one regardless. I want my Jacobs! They not only sound amazing, but they looks awesome to.
Not to mention white and black wool will be so much fun to work with :lol:
 

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I have Shetlands, Jacobs and now 2 older Romney sheep. They are all different!

The Shetlands and Jacobs are hardy. I have never had digestive problems, hoof problems or parasite problems. The Romneys are older, and I just got them so I am not sure about them yet, although they are both exhibiting a bit of a limp already. I have to say though the personalities are like this:

1) Shetland sheep: I'm cute and fluffy but I'm not going to let you touch me. I will run away and escape whenever I can. Ha! Just see if you can get my fleece!:weee

2) Jacobs: We are the PRIMA DONNAS! We make a lot of noise when we know you're in the barnyard. Yes we will allow you to scratch our ears because we DESERVE it! And we will push everybody else out of the way to allow you to give us attention :bun

3) Romneys: We are cuddly. Come and hug us. We have soft wool and you will love it. You can have it! :hugs

Of course these are my particular sheep, and others have said their Shetlands are super friendly. I'm sure if yours is young you can raise her to be super friendly, too! Good luck and congratulations on getting the LGD AND the sheep to go with it! :clap
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Bridgemoof said:
I have Shetlands, Jacobs and now 2 older Romney sheep. They are all different!

The Shetlands and Jacobs are hardy. I have never had digestive problems, hoof problems or parasite problems. The Romneys are older, and I just got them so I am not sure about them yet, although they are both exhibiting a bit of a limp already. I have to say though the personalities are like this:

1) Shetland sheep: I'm cute and fluffy but I'm not going to let you touch me. I will run away and escape whenever I can. Ha! Just see if you can get my fleece!:weee

2) Jacobs: We are the PRIMA DONNAS! We make a lot of noise when we know you're in the barnyard. Yes we will allow you to scratch our ears because we DESERVE it! And we will push everybody else out of the way to allow you to give us attention :bun

3) Romneys: We are cuddly. Come and hug us. We have soft wool and you will love it. You can have it! :hugs

Of course these are my particular sheep, and others have said their Shetlands are super friendly. I'm sure if yours is young you can raise her to be super friendly, too! Good luck and congratulations on getting the LGD AND the sheep to go with it! :clap
Now thats awesome! Though I really hope more Romney people comment, i hope there nor hard keepers :(
I have read that there resistant to hoof rot and there wool is fantastic for hand spinning so I really hope that thats the overall case.
I still love the Romney's! TwT come hell or high water i will be getting one.
Hopefully I can raise this young shetland bugger to be a bit more friendly haha, or sheering is going to be a pain X_X
 

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Oh I hope Royd Wood sees this. He has a big flock of Romneys and he loves them! I believe they have all the good characteristics you can get in a breed.

I would like to get some younger Romneys. Their fleece is nice, much softer than the Jacobs. My two old ladies have been limping I think because 1) they are older and 2) they have been in a muddy dry lot. Their hooves were way overgrown when we got them, too. Don't know how long it had been since they were trimmed, so they were overcompensating for the long hooves I think.

Every breed has different features that make them loveable. Your shetlands will have a terrific fleece, too. Make sure you post pics when you get her!
 

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Where is Royd when you need him? :lol:
I have heard great things about Romneys, but I think its like any other breed. There's the easy keepers and the ones who seem to contract every problem in the book.
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Bridgemoof said:
Oh I hope Royd Wood sees this. He has a big flock of Romneys and he loves them! I believe they have all the good characteristics you can get in a breed.

I would like to get some younger Romneys. Their fleece is nice, much softer than the Jacobs. My two old ladies have been limping I think because 1) they are older and 2) they have been in a muddy dry lot. Their hooves were way overgrown when we got them, too. Don't know how long it had been since they were trimmed, so they were overcompensating for the long hooves I think.

Every breed has different features that make them loveable. Your shetlands will have a terrific fleece, too. Make sure you post pics when you get her!
Oh I hope so to :D That and more Shetland people.
You know I was just thinking about that and about to edit my reply XD Those poor hoofs must be really sore then :( I hope you can fix them up!
So instead of two looks like we will be getting three sheep :lol:
I cant wait to post pictures when I get her, only three more days!
 

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BrownSheep said:
Where is Royd when you need him? :lol:
I have heard great things about Romneys, but I think its like any other breed. There's the easy keepers and the ones who seem to contract every problem in the book.
I was thinking of Royd too... where is he?? Mr Romney guy!
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Southern by choice said:
BrownSheep said:
Where is Royd when you need him? :lol:
I have heard great things about Romneys, but I think its like any other breed. There's the easy keepers and the ones who seem to contract every problem in the book.
I was thinking of Royd too... where is he?? Mr Romney guy!
Hes hiding!
 
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