[John]

We're taking on a smallholding with 4 acres of grassland in N Wales. It's about 600 feet high and quite windy being just 5 miles from the sea. The neighbouring farmer is running sheep on the land but we fancy putting our own on eventually.

I wondered about keeping a rare breed, perhaps Soay sheep and wondered if anyone has any thoughts on the subject.

[tosca100]

It's a lovely idea to keep a rare breed like soay, but they can be quite difficult. They don't herd like other sheep, quite independent natured, very agile too. You would need to do a bit of research, I'm sure someone on here may know something about them. Will you be living at the smallholding?

If so....I'm jealous!

[John]

Oh yes, we'll be living there. I intend only leaving in a pine box

Lots to research for us!

[Aunt Sally]

There's a Soay Sheep Society.  Their web site contains a lot of good information.

http://www.soaysheep.org/

[noshed]

I saw some at a rare breeds show which were the size of small poodles and ate seaweed. They were great.

[arugula]

I saw some at a rare breeds show which were the size of small poodles and ate seaweed. They were great.

That sounds like the Soay. I'm wondering if Blackface or something more hill-like would be good. How about Herdwick?

[John]

My vet warned me that some sheep are 'designed' for poor grazing and get 'bloat?' if they go onto land that's too good. However, we're going to be at 600 feet so not too lush. Not as bad as at 1000 feet though

[Trillium]

Whatever variety you get, make sure those fences are hog-tight as we say over here. I've chased more than my share of those stupid wool-heads who spend the day figuring how to get out of the field and when they do they moan about wanting back in and run off when you try to get them back.

[joyfull]

at least being hillside sheep you won't have to dock their tails, they need them to keep their bits warm, however you will have to keep a check for blo fly 

[tedsdad]

B----y sheep they spend their life trying to get out,then die trying to get back in. Good luck Personally i'd keep a couple of nice Welsh Black cattle,better looking,more fun and far tastier,and loads of your neighbour will sell you a sheep for your freezer.

[Yorkie]

If they're going to be hillside sheep as Joy says, make sure you go for the breed with legs shorter on one side than the other, so they don't fall over 

[joyfull]

If they're going to be hillside sheep as Joy says, make sure you go for the breed with legs shorter on one side than the other, so they don't fall over 

thats fine so long as they don't turn around 

[Yorkie]

Knew there had to be a snag 

[joyfull]

have to teach them all reverse for when they get to the top of the hill and want to come down again - I have some spare lorry reversing bleepers and mirrors John if you are interested 

[animal mad]

i keep herdwicks and they are lovely sheep, would love the space, although mine escape from padocks really easy, can jump over normal stock fencing.