Swiss and champion bloodlines
Natural breeding
Exceptional socialisation and temperaments
The 'no-bleat' weaning solution - kinder to mamas and lambs
Part of our family
Then part of yours
ABOUT
Part of the Family
Helen, Nick, Eva and Clara live in the middle of Dartmoor on a smallholding of pet and rescue animals. Our animals are part of our family and we are a family of true animal lovers. Helen is the main shepherdess here but all the family chip in helping out with the animals and going that extra mile to ensure they get all the love and care they need. We keep a small flock so we can give each sheep and lamb individual attention. Our sheep are cuddled, loved and socialised from birth. We use only natural breeding methods (no AI or ET) and allow all sheep to live out a full and natural life. Although the breed are naturally sociable and gentle, these traits are not solely in the genes. It is nurture as well as nature that cultivates these wonderful personalities and much of their behaviour is learned by observing their mothers. This is why we believe that blacknose lambs should be raised by blacknose mamas! Our sheep are socialised with dogs as well as humans. We want them to be part of your family so we raise them as part of ours.
OUR EWES
The breeding age mamas
Valais sheep mature quite slowly and are ready to breed around 18 months. We currently have 6 breeding ewes, one nearly there and dear old Zina (Our elder of the flock- Too old to breed but there for wisdom and support!). We breed our girls once a year with one of our rams. The lambs stay with their mamas until they are ready for their new home. Usually around 4 months
SHEEP AS PETS!
A little bit about what makes them so special
Valais Blacknose Sheep have been hailed the cutest sheep in the world and it's easy to see why! Their unique and fast growing fleeces are super-soft and hang in long ringlets. Each has a black face and ears with black spots on the front knees and the back of the hind legs. Girls have a tail spot. They are quite a large breed with majestic curly horns. They have a life expectancy of around 12-13 years so make great pets. We stumbled across the breed early in 2019 and we particularly taken with the friendly nature and jolly personalities. They are said to be more like dogs than sheep if socialised properly and because of the sheep's value, they are kept solely as pets. Hoorah!
OUR LAMBS
We never know what each breeding season will bring. Check out the blog or facebook for the most up to date information or visit our 'lambs available' page. Alternatively, just contact us direct.
All our lambs come registered with grassroots with certification of their pedigree name. Each lamb is also wormed and vaccinated (Heptavac-P plus) prior to moving to their new home.
GENTLE WEANING
We have devised a system of 'gentle weaning' to ensure that the process is not stressful for mama or lambs. The traditional method is to move the lambs abruptly away from their mothers to a field where they can't see, hear or smell them. We did this initially and it broke my heart. Lambs and ewes calling for one another for days. You could see the fear and stress overwhelming them and it was just too much for me! We move our lambs away from their mothers gradually so that they can see, hear and smell each other (although not actually nurse). They seem to happily accept this and neither mother nor lamb show signs of stress. An older, calm and experienced ewe is kept with them for company and reassurance. In a few days the maternal bond starts to naturally lessen and within a couple of weeks they can be moved to field further away, completely weaned without stress, fear or upset and ready for their new home.
Ewe lambs are female lambs which may be used for breeding in the future. They will be registered with grassroots as pedigree valais ewes. They have a black tail spot which is just the cutest thing!
Ewe Lambs
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Ram Lambs are male lambs who are kept intact for breeding. To qualify as a ram lamb the markings and breeding must be perfect. We only keep the very best for rams and may only have one per breeding season. Ram lambs are DNA tested as well as registered with grassroots.
Ram Lambs
Wethers are castrated males who are kept purely as pets or companions. They are probably the friendliest and absolutely love human contact. They may be mismarked in some way such as extra spots or spots missing. They are the most affordable option if you wish to own a Valais sheep.
Wethers
THE RAM
Our current ram is the very sweet and exceptionally handsome Cheshire Jackson. This gorgeous boy is a true gentleman and if his lambs turn out to be anything like as delightful as he is, we will be very lucky indeed!
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PLAYMATES
Valais love to play
If you play with your Valais as lambs they will grow to love it and will lark about with you right through to adulthood. This is, of course, optional!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE FAMILY VALAIS BLACKNOSE SHEEP
WHEN THEY NEED A LITTLE EXTRA
BUILDING A BOND
Are Valais right for you?
Whether you are looking for some eco friendly lawnmovers for your paddock, a pet for your children, fun companions for your other livestock or if you wish to breed yourself, Valais are a great choice. Gentle, friendly and hardy, sheep really don't get better than this! Please contact us for help or advice or to discuss your requirements. We so look forward to hearing from you.
