What is the point in hair sheep - Now what wool/meat breed is best.

[BrownSheep]

I'm a little late to the party but I would say Suffolk would be fine for you. We've never fed a huge grain based diet . Just a bit a couple weeks before butchering. My only concern would be their wool quality as it is pretty corse. I've never made a rug though so that may not matter for that.

 

[goodolboy]

If your late, I'm real late. But my two cents. Over the years I've owned alot of differant breeds. We now have settled on the Katahdins. All breeds have their place. Wool breed are definatly bigger and grow faster, but we found they don't do as well on a grass and hay deit. Fly strike was also a problem withthe wool when docking the tail. They also seem to have more hoof problems, not as parisite resistant, and not as good mothering skills as the hair sheep. All of that being said, sheep skin I've never delt with, if you are looking for a fleece, than wool is where it's at. The hair sheep do not have a usable fleece(unless your into wigs, Ha).

 

[Shelly May]

with the katahdins I can change my wig colors every week, HAHA, and I don't need to go to Walmart dye section.

 

[promiseacres]

Love my hair sheep so very pretty and the horns are so unique (no one knows what they are...LOL) and I have no desire to deal with fleece...

 

[goodolboy]

AMEN

 

[Royd Wood]

All breeds have their place. Wool breed are definatly bigger and grow faster, but we found they don't do as well on a grass and hay deit. Fly strike was also a problem with the wool when docking the tail. They also seem to have more hoof problems, not as parisite resistant, and not as good mothering skills as the hair sheep. .

So you didn't have Romneys then Goodolboy - Roms dont get foot rot, very very resistant to worms, are wonderful mothers (usually twins) My purebred Romney flock are strictly grass and hay fed. The downside points you make are correct though with alot of wool sheep out there
I have never had a hair breed and finding it interesting reading about them on here and those Blackbellies - I really like the look of them

 

[goodolboy]

Romneys may be the trick. But which ever breed, buy the best. Visit farms, and look at the sellers sheep. You'll know real quick if you want their problems on your farm.

 

[Royd Wood]

Romneys may be the trick. But which ever breed, buy the best. Visit farms, and look at the sellers sheep. You'll know real quick if you want their problems on your farm.

So True

 

[finns&fjords]

Romneys may be the trick. But which ever breed, buy the best. Visit farms, and look at the sellers sheep. You'll know real quick if you want their problems on your farm.

So True

X3!! I learned this the hard way, and my own ignorance at the time also made me gullible. Struggled with hoof rot and had "lamb" that wasn't....mutton it was
My flock now was attained thru top breeders with proven stock. Money well spent!!