Nature Features

Take a drive around Guernsey and chances are you will come across at least one field inhabited by a flock a sheep.

As babies they are a favourite of many and so can be popular as a starting point for people setting up a smallholding.

Some of Tony's sheep

Tony Falla has a flock of Jacob's Sheep which were quite rare in the past but are one of the two most popular breeds in Guernsey. Tony said he liked them because "they've got a character of their own", thanks to their black and white markings.

He added, "you can pick them out across a field... I like the individuality of them".

He said keeping them takes a bit of work but "they are easy to look after.. they're easy to handle". He continued, they need worming once or twice a year,  their feet need trimming and they are "dagged" where the "mucky fleece" is removed before lambing - and of course they need shearing which Ross Henry from Sark does when he visits Guernsey.

He said what keeps him enthusiastic about the process is that "every year lambing time is a new start, it's the busiest time of year".

If you want to keep sheep Tony said if there are more than two or three "they are quite happy" but as they are naturally flocking animals they should not be kept alone.