The Berrichon is a large white faced, medium boned, well fleshed sheep
originating from the Cher region of France. It's primary role has been that of a terminal sire producing quick growing easy
fleshed lambs capable of being finished at a range of weights to suit varying market specifications and demands.
Berrichon breeders have concentrated on breeding sheep which can lamb
easily and are active at birth being quickly on to their feet and suckling. The Berrichon has a triangular shaped head and
is smooth over the shoulder and hip making it an ideal choice for gimmers, ewe hoggs and all first time lambers. The Berrichon
also has a tight skin and the wool is of a very high standard which has in the past been exported for use in high class wool
products in Japan.
The rams are very active and capable of serving large numbers of ewes
both under intensive and extensive systems. They are well fleshed all over with deep gigots and as a result of this Berrichon
sired lambs weigh very well.
The Berrichon ewes can lamb naturally all the year
round and also have the ability to lamb three times in two years under intensive systems. This ability to lamb out of
sesaon has led to the Berrichon being introduced to other breeds to produce cross bred females able to lamb earlier in the
season to capitalise on the normally higher price spring lamb trade. Berrichon ewes are very protective mothers with
strong maternal instincts.
Inter-Bred Champion Group of Three Kenilworth Show
2005
The Flock Ewes
ROW04022 the most successful show ewe in the Statesman
Flock winning over 20 breed Championships
Bunch of Shearling Ewes some of which were successfully
shown this season
The very successful Three Counties Show 2008
which included Overall Breed Champion and Overall Reserve Breed Champion
Bunch of Shearling Ewes happily grazing
The very successful show ram TOM07175 as a ram lamb.
He won Overall Breed Champion at The Three Counties Show 2008 as a shearling ram.
Homebred ewe with single ewe lamb at foot
Homebred ewe with single ram lamb at foot
History
The Statesman Flock of Berrichons was established
in 2004 with the purchase of ewes and ewe lambs from some of the best flocks in the UK. All the females had something
in common - they were all very correct, substantial and stretchy (I do like big ewes, you can't breed a Shire from a Shetland!).
The udder on a big ewe is high up, more accessible for lambs.
The stock ram was purchased from Carlisle. NEWARK
HENRY had already won Cumberland Show and he also won the show before the sale.
HENRY is very correct with terrific width of loin and
very deep, wide gigots. He also has a smashing sharp head with very white hair and all his attributes are passed on to his
progeny.
HENRY must have been the most consistent ram
on the show circuit 2005-2006, winning twenty of his twenty three breed classes and coming second in two. He won four
Championships, three Reserve Championships, five Male Championships and three Reserve Male Championships. He also featured
in a very successful Group of Three winning at R.A.S.E. and R.W.A.S and Interbreed at Kenilworth.
The Statesman Flock won the Reid Minty Shield
- flock gaining most points on the show circuit - both in 2005 and 2006.
