Our Sheep
Our flock of sheep include three different breeds, Oxford Down, Zwartbles and commerical mules.
Lamb bottle-feeding
We do not currently have any lambs that require bottle-feeding.
We only bottle-feed lambs if they’ve been orphaned, or if there is a smaller triplet that isn’t feeding too well. We don’t take our own lambs off their mums unless there are complications feeding, as this is the most natural and best option for the lambs.
When slots become available they sell out quickly. Follow us on social media to be the first to hear about any new bottle-feeding opportunities.
Our breeds
Our flock of sheep include three different breeds, Oxford Down, Zwartbles and commerical mules.
Oxford Down
The Oxford Down is a rare breed of sheep, originally from Oxfordshire. They are the largest and fastest-growing sheep of all British breeds, ideal for meat and wool. They have dark faces and light wool. When they are shorn, it is customary for this breed to have a ‘top-knot’ of wool left on their head.
Zwartbles
Zwartbles sheep have a darker wool and a white stripe straight down their face. The breed originates in Holland and has been established across the UK since the 1990’s. Zwartbles sheep are known for being typically calmer and are usually very good mothers.
Commercial mule sheep
We also have a few commercial mule sheep. This is not a pure breed but a cross between two breeds to ideally pass on the strongest traits. These sheep have a light wool and are different from the Oxford Downs as they don’t have wool on their heads or legs. This makes it easier when shearing!
Our sheep are dual-purpose breeds, producing good meat and wool. All the sheep are shorn at our Spring Fair in May, so that visitors can come and watch.
We borrow a ram to breed with our sheep in the Autumn and the lambs are born five months later in early April. We also keep in touch with larger farms and when they have orphaned lambs or a weaker triplet struggling to feed, we step in to care for them by bottle feeding here.
We only separate our lambs from their mothers if feeding issues arise, as staying with their mums is the most natural and healthiest choice for them.