Wow, Magnus is cool looking. Didn't know Gotlands could have whitemarkings or is that from his breeding up? I am very curious about the size and temperament of this breed because I have a friend with the same sheep I have and he doesn't like how wild they are. Some of mine have become extremely friendly but his haven't. I read that some Gotland are bred up from crossing with a smaller breed but haven't talked with anyone actually doing this to see the final size. Any idea? I'll post photos of mine but there's no one standing next to them for sizing ideas. I am tall and they are a bit above my knee in height. Thanks for taking photos and sharing!!
Magnus is rather gorgeous isn't he (but then I may be a little biased
) The Soay/Icelandic cross are a lovely looking sheep - thankyou for posting the photo's of yours.
They seem quite similar in size to the Arapawa's we have over here...they are a fair bit smaller than the Gotland's and of course the Gotlands' don't have horns but I suppose the best way would be for me to measure one of the girls and Magnus so I can give you a measurement...will make it easier than trying to guess.
This is a picture of LOL - a Cormo (Corriedale /Merino cross), Magnus (Gotland) and a whether from last year (the ewe was a Corriedale cross - the ram a polled Dorset)...just to get an idea of size. I am just under 5'8" and he stands mid-thigh to me and he is a heavy set boy. He is actually (for a ram) quite laid back and is pretty easy to handle. The girls are slightly smaller although Freyja is just above knee, Baarbara a little taller.
I am still waiting to get hold of Magnus' lineage so not sure what this is to be honest - I got him from a friend who said he was pure bred Gotland but what that means I don't as yet know - I will let you know when I can get hold of that info....however re the breed standard my understanding is they can be spotted or not and the colour is grey.
I do have ewes one is black and brown coloured and then Baarbara and Freyja are a charcoal and light grey respectively.
As far as temperament if concerned I would have to say that is variable....the brown and black ewe I have are quite stand offish - unless you have food! Whereas Baarbara and Freyja are very "in your face" sheep as near to a dog as a sheep could get to be honest...and I know that Baarbara in her previous home when they were out let herself in and when they returned she was laid in front of the fire!!! I do think she's one of a kind although Freyja is a close second.
They are all fantastic mothers I have to say.
As far as I can see they have pretty large udders but never gone for milking sheep before I could be way off!! All I can say is my friend keeps Alpine goats and I would say they are easily as large as their udders. This is a picture from last year (Alf was 20 minutes old here) but it gives you a pretty good view of her udder....apologies it's not her best side!!
Again this is the ewes last year when the lambs were a few weeks old.
You should be able to copy them into a word document and enlarge them if that helps to get a better view.
I have to say ..the fleece is lovely(another long term project...when I get the loom put together!!), the meat of the crosses has been VERY tastey and temperament wise I have no complaints....Oh and they are really good on feet condition and flystrike resistance too....I'm pretty sold on Gotland's on the whole but I'm happy if someone has any other ideas.