New ram for our flock

[Doug N]

Looks like we will be heading to California this spring to bring back a few registered rams. I located a breeder that has the herd genetics I'm looking for: rams with a larger carcass and wide, heavy horns.  There's some really good genetics in the US as a good part of the market for these sheep is for hunt farms/estate hunting, etc.

Should prove to be an interesting trip!!

Here's a picture of one of the older rams (4 years old). 





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[walleyes]

Interesting looking animal Doug.. What is your interest in them,, are you a breeder for the boys in the south or is there another market for these ??

[Doug N]

Our main market is breeding stock. Most of our ewe lambs went to BC last year. Sold a bunch of ram lambs for breeding stock here and there and some for meat.

The American Blackbelly sheep are a really cool breed. They are disease tolerant, adaptable to many climates, efficient foragers, great mothers, and quite fertile. They have a smaller carcass than most meat breeds, but are milder in flavor.

Lots of pics on our website too!

www.rustyironacres.com

[walleyes]

Looking at a ram like that I would say the coyotes keep clear as well..

Cool looking animal,, hope you do we'll with them..

[JIMMY 808]

Neat looking critter you should let some go.

[walleyes]

Lol,, I wonder.. I bet a guy would get in trouble eh..

[JIMMY 808]

If they get out of control nothing a little heli hunting with 00 buck tied together with wire couldn't solve.   

[Doug N]

Some of the stock I've sold has escaped, as they need good fencing. They can now be found in the form of coyote dung.

They can jump VERY well and could easily clear a 52" fence if threatened, or if the grass is greener, as they say.

[BruceW]

Yup, domestic sheep are a pretty cool animal; so many different breeds with such varied traits.  Really when you think about it, underrated here.  Interesting side note, one of the biggest ranchers in se ab got that way mainly because when he started he also ran a few hundred head of sheep.  So much for hollywood stereotypes, eh?

A generational family friend was a sheep rancher (retired now) and sister usually had a few (would take the bum lambs to raise).  Good meat.

Doug, those blackbellies make me think of an african antelope!