I think the flightiness of a flock is at least to some degree dependent on how they are handled.
I absolutely agree. My Shetlands are certainly not flightly or hard to handle. I call, they come. I can give shots, worm and do feet all by myself without using a stanchion or shute- that is a flock of about 25 (at least for another week anyway, I am due to start lambing any minute now).
When I work them with the dog they are light and responsive - my dog does not have to get in there and grip to get them moving like I have seen in some other flocks. However if my dog gets to close in to them she instantly becomes an annoyance to them and is in in danger of being attacked by the flock! Our herding runs a fine line at times! :)
I had Tunis also in the beginning. A lovely quiet regal sheep with a fun, bouncy, cream colored fleece to spin. I ended up with a sheepie medical emergency and could not lift the Tunis by myself - that was my final factor in deciding on the shetlands. I don't do it normally - but in some type of emergency I can actually lift any of my flock enough to get it into the truck or trailer.
I think the best things a beginner can do is research and visitation. Use the internet, and then visit all the flocks you can to actually see the animals and do hands-on. Go to places like the NH Sheep and Wool Festival that has a very nice breed display of around 20 plus breeds, along with displays and breed information.
Nadine Nadine Chounet Painted Knoll Farm New Hampton, NH [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.paintedknollfarm.net/index.html Registered Shetland Sheep for breeding/fiber/pets Fleeces and rovings also available To stop mail temporarily mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: set nomail To restore send: set mail
