A bit more about our new additions, heritage breed Clun Forest sheep:
The Clun Forest takes its name from the ancient market town of Clun in the southwest corner of Shropshire, England, near the border. Clun Forest isn’t actually a dense forest, but rather an upland grazing area that is ideal for raising sheep. The breed has been shaped by natural selection and by Shropshire shepherds over two centuries for hardiness, fertility, prolificacy, milking and mothering ability, and longevity. The sheep are alert and active in disposition, but good-natured and easy to handle.
Excerpt from Clun Forest Sheep - The Livestock Conservancy
Ordinarily, little assistance is required at lambing or afterwards. Lambs are vigorous, getting to their feet quickly and going after something to eat with remarkable speed, if not agility. Those traits may be traceable to the breed’s origin on the rugged hills of Shropshire where easy lambing and vigorous lambs were directly related to survival.
Cluns are alert and active, responsive to their surroundings and shepherd–which helps to make them a manageable breed.
In 1975, a year after its founding, the North American Clun Forest Association ruled as follows:
The whole premise of the Clun Forest breed is based on performance: i.e., prolificacy, mothering, milking, ease of lambing, ease of handling, and longevity. Therefore at the present time, the NACFA does not encourage show-ring competition for Clun Forest sheep. To respond to interest in the breed, animals will be available for exhibition, but not for competitive judging.
Our little flock has quickly and comfortably settled in and acclimated to their new space, routines and farm family.
And while our time with this crew has been short, we have already learned a few things:
1. We already knew we loved working with Oberhasli goats and now we know that we love working with Clun Forest sheep too.
2. Sheep like to stand next to you, not on top of you.
3. Sheep do not run into the shelter/barn when it starts to sprinkle nor when the sprinkles turn into a down pour.
4. Sheep do not try to sneak out and run amuck inside the barn when the gate is accidentally left ajar during daily chores.
5. Sheep have small bare patches of soft skin on their under-leg area and when that area is scratched, it can put them into an adorable trance-like state.
6. Like goats, sheep will nibble, bite and pull on your clothes.
7. Sheep have a lot to say some days and they do not use their indoor voice.
8. Clun Forest sheep look stunning out in a pasture.
Looking forward to our first winter with sheep and the many more lessons that will come. This coming winter season will also provide us a much anticipated slow down on homestead tasks and also open up some time to plan for the addition of a ram lamb and wether lamb this Spring…..the sheep of things to come.
Lovely and lively Luna, our 9 year old ewe nanny to our lambs.
Playful and persistent Poppy (registered KLV Kate), 6 month old lamb.
Warm and whimsical Willow (registered KLV Karla), 6 month old lamb.
Disclosure:
If you leave a comment, the comment and your username may be viewed publicly.
Copyright © Timeless Acres All Rights Reserved
.
ความคิดเห็น