Sheep
Shetland
The Shetland is a small, wool-producing breed of sheep originating in the Shetland Isles, Scotland but is now also kept in many other parts of the world. It is part of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, and it is closely related to the extinct Scottish Dunface. Shetlands are classified as a landrace or "unimproved" breed. This breed is kept for its very fine wool, for meat, and for conservation grazing.
​
By the early twentieth century, the Shetland was perceived as threatened by cross-breeding, leading to a decline in wool quality. To combat this, the Shetland Flock Book Society was formed in 1927, and this remains the body responsible for the protection of the breed in Shetland.
By the time the Rare Breeds Survival Trust was set up in the 1970s, the Shetland had become rare, and it was listed by them as Category 2 (Endangered). Since then, the breed has become popular with smallholders, and it is now classified as Category 6 (Other native breeds), with a UK population of over 3000. On the mainland the breed is governed by the Shetland Sheep Society.
​
The breed is noted for its very fine, soft wool and the high quality of its meat, though its smaller size limits its use in commercial meat markets.
​
​
Pigs
Oxford Sandy & Black
The Oxford Sandy and Black is a breed of domestic pig originating in Oxfordshire. Named for its colour, which is a base of sandy brown with black patches, the breed is also sometimes called the "Plum Pudding" or "Oxford Forest pig."
The breed is related to the old Berkshire and Tamworth breeds and is one of the oldest pigs native to Britain.
The Oxford Sandy and Black is a hardy, docile pig suited to being reared outdoors, where its colour protects it from sunburn (which pink pigs tend to suffer from). The breed has twice neared extinction but is now recovering; partly thanks to the efforts of the breed association, the Oxford Sandy & Black Pig Society.
​
​
Chickens
Lohmann Browns
The Lohmann Brown is a breed of chicken raised, specifically, for egg-laying productivity. It is of crossbreed origin, selectively bred from lines of Rhode Island breed and White Rock breeds. They start to lay at about 19 weeks, producing up to 320 eggs to an age of 72 weeks (one year production). Eggs are laid nearly daily, normally during the morning time.
Most Lohmann Browns have a caramel/brown shade of feathers, with white feathers in a pattern round their necks, and white feathers at the tips of their tail feathers.
The Lohmann Browns are not rare-breed and is our one exception to our rare-breed farm. All our Lohmann hens are ex-commercial hens which we rescued from free range farms. Without a rescue option, they would be sent to slaughter at between 60 and 72 weeks old.
​
​
