What breed of ewe to breed for large meaty lambs?

[secuono]

All offspring from the mixes will be eaten, not sold. So if the ewes are a little *ss high or something else that makes them not fit the standard, it's fine.
This was just a question anyway, won't buy any sheep this year.
My sheep I castrate any that don't fit the breed standard and sell as pets, buddies or natural mowers. People want to buy sheep wethers so why not sell 'culls' that are fixed and can't breed.

 

[bonbean01]

I understand what you are saying...you want a larger size "meat" sheep for your own use and do not want to pay show quality sheep and papers and all that. Our neighbour is just starting out with switching over from goats to hair sheep, so we've been watching for any "deals" and the only ones we've come across are on Craig's list. When it comes to CL, I have to wonder why the price is so low and no photo of the animal/s.

Newly weaned lambs here sell for $2.50 a pound..on the hoof at the auction. That might be a way to get some ewes at a lower price and raise them to breed with your ram? I know some local hair sheep breeders in our area take lambs there to sell and they are not culls. They only sell lambs and never part of their herd stock.

 

[kfacres]

good ones cost the exact same to take care of, feed, and be around as bad ones-- if not less due to structural, or health problems.

Why not invest in good ones, which will producer bigger/ better/ meatier lambs, and make more profit? Same amount of input, or less-- plus more pounds of product-- equals more pure profit.

 

[bonbean01]

I believe she wants lambs for her own table and not for selling for profit.

kf...your post reminds me of some wisdom my Dad gave me many years ago and it is so true...there is no such thing as a FREE animal of any sort....they all need feed and care cost just as much, if not more...than one that is sound. Any time I've gone against that wisdom...it was a costly mistake.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Why not invest in good ones, which will producer bigger/ better/ meatier lambs, and make more profit? Same amount of input, or less-- plus more pounds of product-- equals more pure profit.

That is great advice for those of us in the "sheep business" or any other livestock business for that matter. That is why we stopped producing cross breeds here. They cost exactly the same amount to feed etc but we were making WAY less money.

However if you are just growing for your own table than that is different. You don't need the best then although a good hardy animal is still important so as to not incur any vet bills.

A word of caution here though - please please please be careful who you purchase from. Get those animals tested before bringing them onto your farm. What may seem like a bargain at the time will not be a bargain if the new animal brings in a disease & wipes out your entire flock. Think disease is not around? Sorry but it is. We have been hearing some "horrible" stories recently & for that reason have closed our flock. We have enough diversity here to be able to breed for years without needing fresh bloodlines. To us it is just not worth the risk. I know some of you do not have that option & need to bring in fresh lines but just make sure you do your research & pay extra to get what you are buying tested before you bring them home. Buy from a private farmer before you buy from an auction.

Liz

 

[kfacres]

Even if you are only producing for your own table... I see no reason not to have more pounds of product, or faster growth...

You know as I think about it, I've never heard someone claim their loin chops were too big, their ham steaks were too large, or their lamb gained too much weight in fewer days, which resulted in a faster kill time.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

Even if you are only producing for your own table... I see no reason not to have more pounds of product, or faster growth...

You know as I think about it, I've never heard someone claim their loin chops were too big, their ham steaks were too large, or their lamb gained too much weight in fewer days, which resulted in a faster kill time.

X2 !

We complained our stinky cornish's didnt get big enough fast enough, but we didnt complain our pig was too big.

More pounds, faster, less money put in. Would you rather buy a $5 20lb ham, or a $10 10lb ham? $4 for 10 chickens, or 10$ for 2 ?

 

[bonbean01]

Cornish is so right...a great deal may turn out to be bringing something to your healthy herd that could turn out to be a disaster. We have never bought any sheep from an auction or on Craig's list...stick to a breeder that you know something about and take a good look at that breeder's flock first. Could save a lot of grief and high vet bills. Get to know your local breeders.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

Cornish is so right...a great deal may turn out to be bringing something to your healthy herd that could turn out to be a disaster. We have never bought any sheep from an auction or on Craig's list...stick to a breeder that you know something about and take a good look at that breeder's flock first. Could save a lot of grief and high vet bills. Get to know your local breeders.

I have to admit we bought our first 2 goats off of CL, but in all fairness both of the owners are vets (tho the dont vaccinate :? ) and they come from the same house so they bring their own diseases with themselves, LOL

 

[bonbean01]

Yes, sometimes you get lucky. We listed a ram on CL and he sold super quickly, withing the hour...we were selling him because he was dangerous and put that on the ad too...he was healthy, a proven good ram...just dangerous. Fellow who bought him didn't care he was dangerous, just needed his ewes bred right away. When he arrived we again stressed why we were selling him. Had the ram not sold, he would have become hamburger.

So, sometimes you can get a deal on CL...just have to be cautious. Hope our evil ram gave him nice lambs and then he got rid of him before anyone got hurt. We sold him pretty cheaply. We were completely honest about why we were selling a ram that produced beautiful, healthy rams but I'm not sure everyone is honest on there.