The Poultry Keeper

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

As well as keeping chickens and pygmy goats we also keep a few different breeds of sheep, namely Scotch Half Breed, Lleyns, Ouissants and are interested in obtaining a few more Ouissant females. Does anyone near us (Dept 16 - Charente) keep these. We would love some Zwantbles but I feel these are not available in France - anyone keep them? I think to import them from Holland would be difficult, and it might also be hard to get them from departments currently in the 'fevre cattarahl' (blue tongue) restricted zones in France. Any info. Please. Jan OH Richard.

NannyP · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

I am sure that there is a guy called Michael Wright, who keeps Ouissants, in 87, near Bellac.....a little nearer than Holland Very Happy

He wrote the book, C'est le Folie, and also writes for the Telegraph I think. Not sure how helpful this is, but you never know.

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

Thanks NannyP - will follow that up although we have got ouessant could do with a few more - originated on the isle off Brittany - so quite a few around in France I think but not locally. The Zwartbles are however a Dutch breed - very expensive and very rare. I'll keep trying - but thanks again. Richard

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Carmarthenshire

They has some Zwartbles at our local auction a couple of months ago - they are huge, especially the rams. Lovely sheep, but I'll stick to my Ryelands Laughing

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

NannyP - I googled 'Michael Wright' and found lots of information about him, his books and his livestock - he sounds a very interesting man and I will certainly look out for his book. Many many thanks for the tip-off. Richard.

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

Hi Chris - when you say huge what weight are we talking about - roughly. Did you happen to see the price they fetched at the auction and did you happen to note the breeder's name? Thanks.

NannyP · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject:

Did you find this when you were Googling, Richard

http://cf.geocities.com/moutondouessant/french/accueil.htm

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Carmarthenshire

When I say huge - one of the rams was the size of a small donkey - all the children wanted to ride on him!!! Not all of them were this big but talking to one of the owners - sorry I didn't get her name (but I am going to the same auction place this weekend and could try and find out who they were if you like - the auction is on every month but rare breeds only once a year) - she said they are quite a tall breed. I don't think they sold, sorry I don't know what price they got to as I was looking at a Ryeland ram I was interested in. Let me know before Sat if you want me to try and find out the breeder.

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

Thank Chris - I'd be grateful for any info on price etc. I know the zwartbles are quite large but I think they are wonderful. I do wonder if their weight might prohibit me from upending them to do their feet and other husbandry bits. I am not feeble but even our scotch half breeds make me struggle sometimes. Just as well shearing is only once a year. Rolling Eyes

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

Thanks Nanny P - you are brilliant at sourcing cites - thanks for your time - I am looking at and registering on anything concerning the ouessants - so info much appreciated. Jan does most of the research (indoors - she's not stupid it's b... cold outside this morning).

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1768 Location: Clawddnewydd

Zwartbles, despite their size, are very quiet sheep and so you shouldnt have much of a problem tipping them over/doing stuff with them Very Happy

They arent rare over here though, just not very popular as although they are continental sheep/terminal sire group, they dont actually fatten very well at all and so their popularity has dwindled. I reckon that the second cross (with a texel) out of them would make excellent sheep though Cool

They really arent that expensive over here (well, not that I've seen anyway), lambs made around £60-£70 at Clitheroe a couple of weeks ago and the adults were less than that Confused

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Carmarthenshire

Sorry tuzo2k they wouldn't give me the name and address of the sellers????? Privacy laws i suppose! What I did do is leave my email address and asked if they would get them to email me - we will have to wait and see if it happens.

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 216 Location: charente sw france

Chris - many thanks I will await with anticipation. Very Happy

Richard

laura 08 · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

I can supply u with some fab tame ewe lambs.

Laura