The Hampshire Down breed of sheep has been developed to produce terminal sires for the commercial flock. Hampshire Downs are easy to manage and need no different treatment to any other breed. They are very docile non-straying sheep.
Salutation Farm sheep are genotyped and MV accredited.
In 2004 we joined the Hampshire Down Sire Reference Scheme to enable us to improve growth rates, and produce lean carcases. This will further improve the breeding potential of our flock and continue to provide lean producing rams.
The Hampshire Down ram-lambs can be used for service from 6 months old. Hampshire rams will mate with any breed and the Hampshire Down characteristics will always be predominant.
We are happy to help in setting up a new flock of Hampshire Downs including farm visits and help with paperwork. Visits to our flock are always very welcome (by appointment).
Hampshire Down Ewes
Hampshire Down ewes will take the ram at any time of the year (providing they are managed correctly and fed accordingly).
Hampshire Downs lamb naturally in December. The lambs are hardy and able to tolerate most climatic conditions from an early age. Ewes can lamb for up to 10-12 years. Hampshire Down ewes are particularly good mothers with high milk yields that enables the lambs to grow very fast between 10 and 30 days.
Hampshire Down sired lambs are early maturing quality butchers’ lambs. From birth a HAMPSHIRE DOWN and even a cross-bred will reach 18 kg dead-weight in under three months.
Average birth-weight Singles 4 – 6 kg Twins 3 – 4 kg
Average adult bodyweight Ewes 80 kg Rams 120 kg
The carcass is well fleshed with one of the highest eye muscle scores of any breed. Usually grading extremely well, the modern HAMPSHIRE DOWN has been selected to pass on its characteristics plus leanness whilst retaining the excellent succulence and flavour for which the breed is renowned.
The HAMPSHIRE DOWN have outstanding food conversion which enables them to survive well in marginal grass conditions. They are extensively kept both on pastures and uplands and will finish on grass quickly with no concentrates.