The OWLS BARN flock was founded
in 1987 with 50 ewes. We now run a 200
ewe flock of which 150 are Poll Dorset
or Dorset horned sheep.The 'Dorset
Sheep Breeders Association' was established in 1892
making it one of the earliest recorded British Sheep Breeds.
It is a hardy breed and can
produce early maturing lambs off of average
grazing. It
is also capable of producing lambs at any time through the
year which makes it a perfect breed for
production.
We lamb most of our Dorset's
in the early autumn with the flush of grass which
keeps the ewes in milk and avoids
the parasite challenge to the lambs ( i.e.
worm burden) that is on the pasture during
late spring and early summer. The
autumn lambing along with the clean grazing system
minimizes
the need for veterinary medication to
control this.
They are excellent mothers and need little assistance at
lambing time. I have great pleasure working with my
Dorset's
and watching the ewes grazing with fit healthy lambs
at foot.