We knew we wanted a four-legged grazer of some sort. We had been thinking Goats, but then while I was doing the research we came across a piece that suggested for Goats it wouldn’t be too extreme to suggest your fencing needed to be water proof! While we have fencing it probably isn't quite up to that standard. So we were thinking about starting with Sheep and then take our time 'upgrading' the fencing to allow us to have goats in the future. Then I came across a site about Shetland Sheep and the decision was made.
They are the smallest breed available in North America, so you don’t need any special handling equipment. It also means that we have more options with our small acreage. As an 'unimproved' breed they are much hardier than the typical commercial breeds, they are easy lambers and good mothers. They are a thrifty breed, and will thrive on pasture in the summer and hay in the winter, so feed costs wont be prohibitive. Shetland fleece is very fine and come in lovely natural colours.
I only recommend books that I own and have found useful. Just click on the appropriate flag to take you to the Amazon store that you prefer. Sorry, but at the moment I am only set up for the Canadian, American and English sites.
For more on sayings about sheep and their origins why not check out the Phrase Finder.
"Like being savaged by a dead sheep" ~ Dennis Healey (on being criticized by the mild mannered Tory minister Geoffrey Howe in the UK House of Commons in June 1978)
