Scottish Blackface III
Gimmer Hogg
Scottish Blackface sheep mature rather slowly and it is best not to breed them in their first Autumn so they will be better able to produce a healthy lamb the first time they are bred. Scottish Blackface are very good mothers and often twin or even give birth to triplets. It is best to worm prior to introducing the ram for breeding and again before the ewes lamb in the Spring of the year. Scottish Blackface rams have good dispositions but one should always give rams plenty of respect during the breeding season.
Ram (Tup) approaches a mature ewe (Gimmer)
in anticipation of breeding or tupping.
Sheep gestation is about five months. Some breeds of sheep can breed all year 'round but most breeds are receptive only from August to January. We prefer to introduce our ram in late September with most breeding taking place in the months of October and November.
The introduction of Black Faced Highland sheep to America first occurred in June, 1861,Hugh Brodie importing one ram and two ewes for Brodie & Campbell, New York Mills, New York. In 1867 this flock and increase was purchased by T. L. Harison of Morley, St. Lawrence County, New York. Isaac Stickney of New York also imported a small flock about 1867 for his farm in Illinois. -Charles S. Plumb
Scottish Blackface Triplets born in Belgium 2007 on Ranch 106
The Scottish Blackface is an ideal homestead sheep. They are excellent on brushy hillsides and can be useful for improving pastures. These sheep do not require large amounts of grain as do many modern breeds. They are very adept at regaining condition after lambing or a hard winter. In the world of meat production the Blackface plays two distinct roles in the UK. Firstly they produce lambs on the hills, latter they are brought down to the lower country and are crossed with Border Liecesters or Blue Faced Liecesters.
 Scratching an Itch in Glencoe, Scotland
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