The Vault Flock was started in 2004 when we visited Cotswold Farm Park, the home of rare breeds. This is where we initially purchased 3 ewe lambs.
These three Hebrideans were purchased as pets and used as lawnmowers when we lived on the Malverns.Â
We then decided to try and breed with them the following year.
In November 2005 a proven ram Rye End Sebastian arrived on loan from local breeders Neil and Katie Anderson. This was the ram that started our "Vault" flock.
Having moved to the Lincolnshire Wolds we used Bearslair Captain and later purchased Cillimore Rhum from the York sale, who was the sire of Vault Victor.
The numbers of stock have fluctuated over the years and as of today we have 19 breeding ewes and 7 shearlings sired by Victor.
Our breeding stock has been purchased over the years, privately as well as from Melton Mowbray, and includes such flock names as Carrcross, Cinderhill, Jet, Skipwith, Sturch's Barn, & Sycamore .
With our new ram we can again breed with Victor's progeny.
All our sheep are born, reared and grazed on site and in local traditional pastures covering some 8 acres.
We have been selling our lambs for a number of years to Wildlife Trusts, HSS breeders, and to those just starting out wanting good quality stock for a flock of their own or for keeping in the freezer.
All our stock is registered with the Hebridean Sheep Society and of course so are all our lambs.
Any lamb sold is fully tagged, injected and has a full set of registration documents.
This year our new ram, Cinderhill Titus has been running with 22 of our ewes.
We started lambing on 21st March and it ended on 20th April with 27 lambs.
Those interested in a starter flock may like to consider buying a few ewes with lambs at foot. If interested then please contact us to discuss options etc.
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📌 Click to see our lambing progress and compare birthing dates over the last few years. 
 Our general stock list and their pedigree can be viewed online
📌 Click to view 
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Zoe and Ken - June 2023
Latest News
We can now offerthis years lambs for sale along with some older ewes. These make prefect mothers for those wishing to start their own flock or adding new blood to an existing flock.
Older ewes (b2013) which we will not be putting to the tup this coming November.are also avaliable if you are looking for just grass cutters. Feel free to contact us about them
Shearling ram lambs are for sale which would be perfect to put with your ewes later in the year.
You are welcome to come and visit the flock with no obligation to buy
In the past few years we have loaned various rams, both 2 and 4 horned, including:
Victor on loan to Stuart and Linda Jarvis of the Click-em-Wood flock. His offspring have won many rossettes at national shows over the last few years including a first at the HSS National Show in 2019 with Bluebell 2nd, now owned by Cathy Cassie.
When Victor returned he became our main ram for tupping and remained so until 2018/19.
Lisa and Steven Higginbottom from the Rhydoldog estate near Rhyader loaned Erik our 4 horned ram over winter 2014/15. They then loaned Orion to tup their flock over winter 2015/16. In 2020 they purchased 2 ram lambs from us for tupping.
In 2018 Titan, our prize winning shearling ram, was on loan to Jayne Neville in Ceredigion Wales and this year (2019/20) he was off for winter tupping in Holbeach, Lincolnshire with Helen MacDonald.He settled in so well that they chose to keep him as their main ram.
Theo - Reserve Champion at Royal County of Berkshire Show 2019 was on loan in that year to Trevor and Clare in Oxford, tupping some 12 ewes. In November 2020 he was on loan to Rhys Jenkin, starting another new flock. Tony Chambers in Bath had him for tupping from November 2021.
 In 2019 Victor sired a new line of progeny for Ben and Gill who have the Hergest Flock in Kington, Herefordshire. This winter his progeny have been tupped by one of Sycamore Inverlochy's registered sons - Vault Enterprise.
Ram Hire 2023/2024
We can offer you a choice from a number of quality rams - either shearling rams or ram lambs which would happily tup a small or large number of ewes.
Hire would typically be from November to January. Booking in advance would save disappointment!
6 registered rams were hired out in 2022/23.
The meat of the Hebridean has a unique and distinct taste. It is ideal as a roasted joint or made into casseroles and tagines. It can be purchased directly from us as boxed meat at certain times of the year. It’s not just us - Hebridean meat is in demand by top chefs and restaurateurs as it lends itself well to gourmet meals.
Our lambs are reared until they are approximately 15 months old, which we feel is the perfect age for the combination of tenderness, flavour and size. They are allowed to develop and grow slowly, giving a high quality meat, low in fat and full of taste. At this age they are classed and sold as Hogget..
This slow to mature way yields a lean but very flavoursome meat with a thin covering of fat.
Slaughter is at our local private abattoir at Leintwardine where they prepare the carcass to our specific requirements. The carcass is typically 20kg or a little more before cutting up.
We will have a small number of lambs available from about 1st October 2023 - feel free to contact us if interested and we can keep you advised.
Please remember - our lambs are reared in the old fashioned way. Purchasing your meat from us enables us to continue keeping Hebridean sheep, provide conservation grazing and help ensure the survival of rare and traditional breeds.
You can even order and pay for your Hogget via credit card over the internet.
Do get in touch if you would like further details.
Fleeces
The coloured wool of the Hebridean sheep is popular with hand and specialist spinners and is excellent for felting.
The fleeces come in a variety of colours depending on the age of the animal. The colours range from sliver grey as taken from our older ewes and black or golden brown from the younger stock.
A typical fleece weighs approximately 1.8 to 2.4kg.
If you are local you are welcome to choose your fleeces by weight and colour – we may even be able to show you the sheep they came from!
We are happy to take orders in advance. Fleeces are normally available from June onwards, subject to our local sheep shearer.
Skins
As we use a local abattoir we normally collect the skins after slaughter. These make fine sheepskin rugs.
Over the years we have acquired numerous sheepskin rugs. Our collie Tasha has her own rug in her basket and even the cat has his own. You naturally need to tan these, as with any animal skin. We are happy to give you full instructions and you can buy the chemicals needed on eBay.
If you don’t feel up to the challenge this time you (or we, on your behalf) could always send it to Nicki Port in Herefordshire and have her do an excellent job for you. Click 
to get more information on her organic sheepskin tannery.
We are AHVLA registered for ABP - 24/847/0040. Feel free to contact us for more details.
Latest News
We will have fleeces for sale from late June. Drop us an email and we can send you details of colour, weight and prices.
After you have selected the fleece we can send you a Paypal invoice and dispatch your fleece. Prices start at £9.00 and that includes delivery within most parts of the UK.
Click on the image above to open our Photo Gallery.
We live in the Welsh Marches on the edge of a small village near the Herefordshire/Powys border, about 18 miles north of Hereford, 15 miles west of Ludlow.
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Zoe and Ken
Yonkin Farm
Kinnerton
Powys
LD8 2PF
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Phone: 07796 082297
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Phone: 07796 082297 |
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Email:
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© 2010, Ken Ballinger.
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