As budding smallholders, we have chosen the Ryeland breed as they are very docile and easy to manage, they like to stay in their paddocks for example! They are the Labrador of the sheep world and will do pretty much anything for food – we have been able to “bucket-train” our flock which makes flock management much easier especially when you don’t have a sheepdog. 

The Ryeland is one of the oldest British sheep breeds originating from the Herefordshire area. They were once a rare breed but have now been removed from the RBST watchlist and are classed as “any other native breed”. They are a dual-purpose breed, well-known for producing excellent quality lamb and wool.

The Ryeland Flock Book Society (RFBS) promotes and manages registration of pedigree Ryeland (white) and Coloured Ryeland sheep. Ballindean Ryelands are members of both the RFBS and the Scottish Ryeland Group, an independent social group for Ryeland keepers in Scotland.