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| tf1104 | Posted 05/03/12 12:46PM  Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | Ok so we are thinking of getting a down this year to try to take to a major... never fed one before really have only done backs with the exception of one cross...however i am wondering how expensive the downs are if they are any more or less than blacks... now i know that is a loaded questions because everyone has different prices and such... i will say we usually spend about 850-1800 we would like to try to spend about 1000 on a really nice down, but if they are crazy expensive for a nice competitive one that we could potentially dot with then we would probably just be better off trying to get a decent black...
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| holliterman36 | Posted 05/03/12 01:14PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | TF, the same goes in any market where demand is high and supply is low - a good down will usually cost a tad more than a good black. Reason being - there are more good blacks than good downs just based on numbers. If you come across a really good down they are fun to feed, can't say the same about showing them though lol. Sometimes they tend to be a little more hard headed and stubborn.
I think you could easily get a down that will dot with the budget you have set forth. I would not hesitate to go to a few of the down sales and talk with several of the breeders and see if anyone has what you may be interested in.
A few I will recommend
Mike Harbour - Gatesville, TX. He is without a doubt one of the most helpful, honest players in this game. Mike will tell you his honest opinion and he won't sugar coat things. He is also a good asset because he has fed numerous champions.
Kevin and Susan Fritz - Fredericksburg, TX. This family has a vast knowledge of the southdown breed and has fed as many champions as any. They are good about helping there families and love to hear feed back on the sheep. Susan is a practicing DVM so that helps as well.
Jeff Oldenburg and family - I've never purchased a lamb from them but helped feed one a family had. They have produced as many winners in Texas as anyone. There sheep always seem to be at the top.
Scott Flannagan - While I have never even talked with Scott I have seen the pictures he has been posting to his Facebook and I'm pretty sure Sloan Stultz's champion down was from them. I can assure you Ross does not feed any just to put them on feed, his pen is as tough as anyones in the off breeds.
Some things I will caution you about southdowns, make sure you look over the breed standard and familiarize yourself with it. Some "downs" are not actually downs. Know going into it that southdowns tend to get more condition easier than most blacks so you need to watch that a little closer. They tend to be a little more stubborn than the black face breeds.. leading to be harder to work with!
Let me know if you have any questions about what I have said and good luck! Let us know if we can help.
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| TXsheepRaiser | Posted 05/03/12 01:16PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | I guarantee you that if you feed it right, you can get one that will dot at Mike Harbours for around 500-1000.. Just monitor them when feeding because they will get cover fast..
Tyler
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| Kyhampbreeder | Posted 05/03/12 01:22PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
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Administrator | Pay close attention to Josh's last paragraph. Hurts to feed a "down" and get tossed at a major!
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| tf1104 | Posted 05/03/12 01:23PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Thanks guys... Thats what i was figuring that it would be... definitely considering going over to harbous. We like i said we have never fed a down so it could be an adventure to say the least lol. but we are still thinking about it but i think it could be fun. I would be interested n talking to some of people who have shown downs. And i know the price does not at all always reflect the quality, but its that is just were we financially speaking. I figured it would be better to try to get it figured out here because i would never call a breeder and the 1st question out of my mouth be "how much for a good one" i would fill silly asking. I wouldnt want to give the wrong impression. I would like to go to some sales though, but in my past experiences i generally have better luck buying off the farm. I dont know if the downs are any different.
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| tf1104 | Posted 05/03/12 01:25PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Yes Ky i forgot to mention the last paragraph. I definitely need to familiarize myself with the classification standards because, i am not at all familiar with them. Are their hides similar to a black or more temperamental?
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| belambs2 | Posted 05/03/12 01:56PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | James Humphrey down in comfort has a pretty good down set from what I hear. And that price range should definitely get you in his top end. He's a great guy and can set you up good.
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| TXsheepRaiser | Posted 05/03/12 02:23PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | I dont understand the classifying system for downs? The true southdown has been gone for a long time.. Isnt the current down been crossed with dorsets?
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| Kyhampbreeder | Posted 05/03/12 02:27PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
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Administrator | Hides are not as much an issue as the "downs" that mature with horns . They can look fine then not classify by the time majors roll around.
Seems a lot that have fed blacks struggle with downs. I'd get them too fat then work hard to get them in shape. Not suggesting that's a good plan !
Several good down breeders in Texas and some you better know your stuff.
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