Many farmers use mixed breeds for their sheep herds. But which are the best breeds and what are their advantages? Here are 10 breeds of sheep for your farm.
Lincoln
Lincoln breed is one of the classics. It comes from the east of England, from Lincolnshire, where, due to the prevailing favorable climatic conditions, the sheep could graze on high-quality grass almost all year round. The breed was formed about 250 years ago as a result of crossing Leicester sheep with local livestock and selection of the most productive descendants. Representatives of the Lincoln breed are large animals: the live weight of adult sheep reaches 130 – 160 kg (268-350 lbs).
Records of fur are obtained from Lincoln breed: 5–6 kg (11-13 lbs) per ewe and 8–10 kg (17-22 lbs) per ram. The yield of washed wool: 55 – 65%. The wool of these sheep is very long; it can grow 30–40 cm per growing season.
The fibers are strong, shiny, and coarse. The color is white both in down hair and in hiding. Fleece covers almost the entire body and legs of a sheep. There may be small black marks on the ears and head. The constitution of most representatives of the Lincoln breed is strong. The body is long, with an even broad back and a straight sacrum.
Due to its origin, this breed is quite demanding on the quality of feeding and on how it is raised. Lincoln sheep hardly tolerate arid hot climate and frosty winters.
In the early lambing, Lincolns will definitely need an equipped teapot to help keep them warm, otherwise part of their lambs will die from the cold. Here is our article on how to survive lambing season. Under unfavorable conditions for them, these sheep cannot fully reveal their pedigree potential: young growth reduces the growth rate, and the productivity of adults is below the maximised level.
Romney Marsh
The Romney Marsh breed also originates from England. The name of the breed comes from the name of the local plains on which these sheep grazed. These are large animals with a meat type of body structure. The weight of adult sheep reaches 120 – 130 kg (264-286 lbs).
This breed is one of the hardiest, it is well adapted to moist pastures and rainy climates. This breed is well characterized by a strong constitution, proportional, harmonious physique. The body of the Romney Marsh sheep is wide, the back is usually flat, the withers are low, the lower back is long and wide, and the sacrum is wide, even. Rams and sheep are hornless (have no horns).
The coat is white, up to 20 cm long. The fleece coat is homogeneous, stapled, it covers almost the entire animal: on the head it reaches the level of the eyes, and on the legs it reaches the hock and carpal joints.
With abundant feeding and good keeping conditions, sheep of this breed show high double productivity. Read this article on sheep nutrition we wrote to find out more about how to make sure your sheep are eating well.
The cut of wool from an adult ram is 6 – 7 kg (13-15 lbs), from an ewe – about 4 kg (9 lbs). The yield of washed wool is more than 52%. Slaughter yield of sheep carcasses – about 55%.
The mating season begins at the end of summer and continues until the end of autumn. The fertility of the ewes is low, in most cases one lamb is born, but twins also occur. For every 100 ewes you can get 120 – 125 lambs, ensuring that you will be replenishing your herd easily.
Corriedale
The Corriedale breed got its name from the Corriedale Farm in New Zealand, where it was bred by mating Lincoln sheep with Merino sheep. Among the crossbreeds, a strict selection was carried out according to productive characteristics.
Corriedale sheep have the following characteristics: they are hornless animals; their head is light, wedge-shaped, covered with thick fleece hair to eye level; straight profile. The muzzle of the representatives of this breed is covered with short hiding hair. The eyes are small, almond-shaped. Ears are thick, erect, of medium size. The body is massive.
Fleece coat covers the entire body and legs of animals slightly below the level of the hocks and carpal joints. The representatives of the Corriedale breed are medium-sized sheep: the live weight of rams is 70 – 85 kg (154-187 lbs), and the ewes are about 60 – 70 kg (132-154 lbs). Young grow quickly and gain weight and is ready for slaughter in 8 – 10 months. The slaughter yield of carcasses of well-fed adult sheep is 55 – 57%.
The breed is characterized by seasonality in the manifestation of hunting in the fall. Most ewes bring one lamb per year. Twins are infrequent, their number depends on the level of fatness of the parent herd at the time of the breeding season. For every 100 ewes, 105 to 130 lambs are obtained.
Sheep of this breed feel better in a dry climate than in a humid one. They are undemanding to the quality of feed, they can productively use any pasture, except marshy.
Welsh Black-Nose
One of the most unusual in appearance of semi-fine-crowned long-haired sheep breeds is Welsh black-nose. It was bred relatively recently, received official recognition in 1963, although it was formed over more than a hundred years in a natural way, on the basis of the local population and Cotswold sheep imported from England and Germany in 1877. Their homeland is Switzerland, the Valais region, which is reflected in the name of the breed.
A distinctive feature of these animals from representatives of many other breeds is their appearance. The color of the basic tone of the coat is white, and the muzzle, ears, hooves, lower part of the forelimbs, hocks and wrists, and also the inside of the tail are black. Both rams and ewes have horns. The horns are long, directed to the sides, helical, and not spirally twisted, as in most sheep breeds.
The first marketable wool from young animals can be obtained at the age of 6 months. Adult animals are sheared twice a year: in late spring, after stable warm weather is established, and in late summer, so that before the onset of autumn cold weather, hair can grow at least 6 cm. 4 – 4.5 kg (9- 10 lbs) of hair are cut from an adult sheep. The yield of washed wool is up to 58%.
Welsh sheep are characterized by seasonal breeding. A random campaign runs from late summer to mid-autumn. Their fertility is above average: 140 to 200 lambs per 100 ewes. Sheep have well-developed maternal qualities and high milk production, which allows young animals to quickly gain weight and develop in the suckling period.
Representatives of the breed are well adapted to life in a harsh mountain climate with strong winds and frosty winters. As for feeding, animals can show good productivity, being content only with grazing in the pasture period or with hay in the winter. But the quality of such feed should be high. If there is no way to ensure this, then compensate for the deficiency by feeding concentrates and succulent feed.
The North Caucasian
The North Caucasian meat and wool breed was bred in the Stavropol Territory. Work on the creation of the breed was carried out from 1943 to 1958 in the Vostok breeding farm.
Animals are characterized by large sizes: the weight of rams is 110 – 115 kg (242-253 lbs), ewes – about 60 – 62 (132- 136 lbs) kg, height at the withers of rams: 70 – 75 cm, ewes: 68 – 70 cm. Neither the rams nor the ewes have horns.
The hair is white, long, coarse, from the haircut to the haircut it grows to 10 – 13 cm. The wool cut from the ram is: about 10 kg (22 lbs), from the ewes: 5 – 6 kg (11-13 lbs). The yield of washed wool: 52 – 55%. The fleece is homogeneous, equal in length and fineness, has a staple-braid structure of medium density.
North Caucasian sheep breed seasonally, once a year. A random campaign takes place at the end of the pasture period. Lambing occurs in the first months of the calendar year. About 100 – 140 lambs are born per 100 ewes. Sheep have a strong maternal instinct and produce medium quality milk. Lambs at the end of the suckling period weigh 28-30 kg (61-66 lbs), in 7-8 months – from 35 to 40 kg (77-88 lbs), per year their weight reaches from 70 to 77 kg (154 to 169 lbs).
The breed has good meat characteristics: animals quickly gain weight on high-quality feed and feed well on pasture, slaughter yield is at least 50%, while the specific weight of bones in the carcass is up to 22%.
Border Leicester
The Border Leicester breed is one of the oldest English breeds, it was bred in the second half of the XVIII century in the area located on the border between England and Scotland. The basis for this breed were sheep of the mountain Cheviot and Leicester breeds. As a result of hard work, sheep farmers got large, hornless sheep with long white hair.
The live weight of rams reaches 115 kg (253 lbs), and ewes – from 60 to 70 kg (132-154 lbs). The height at the withers of the ewes is 65–68 cm, and that of the sheep is 70–75 cm. The body of the Border-Leicester sheep is long, proportional. The head is light, narrow, wedge-shaped, and medium in size. The eyes are almond-shaped, large. Ears are very long, upright, and high.
The skin is thin, does not form folds. Runic hair covers the entire body to the back of the head and the angle of the lower jaw, and legs to the elbow and knee joints. Coat is short, dense, and white. Fleece is shiny, coarse, white, of medium density (5 – 6 thousand hairs per 1 square centimeter), grows to 20 – 25 cm. Its fineness: 26 – 28 microns. The fleece is homogeneous, staple-braid structure. Sheared wool from a ram: 6.5 – 6.8 kg (14-15 lbs), from ewes: from 4 to 5 kg (8-11 lbs). The yield of washed wool: 52 – 55%. Wool is used to make quality fabrics.
These sheep are good mothers with strong maternal instincts. You can expect up to 150% yields per breeding season. 100 ewes will produce 150 lambs as twinning is common.
Shropshire
Shropshire breed was bred on the territory of the British counties Staffordshire and Shropshire in the first half of the nineteenth century. The Shropshire breed are large animals: rams reach a weight of 90 – 110 kg (198-242 lbs), ewes – 70 – 80 kg (154-176 lbs). Both sexes are hornless.
The fleece coat is very thick, white with shades. It is about 6-8 cm long. The fleece coat covers the entire body to the hock and wrist joints on the legs and the entire head, except for the tip of the muzzle, nose and ears. Another distinctive feature of this breed is the color of the skin (under the coat). It can be any shade of pink, from bright pink to cherry.
The skin is thick, but does not form folds. The cut of wool from an adult female sheep is 4.5 – 5 kg (9- 10 lbs), from a male sheep – not more than 4 – 4.5 kg (10- 12 lbs). The yield of washed wool is high: 62 – 65%. Fleece uniform, staple structure. Fiber thickness: 25 – 26 microns.
Shropshire sheep produce very high quality lambs. The meat has a fine fiber structure with small layers of fat. Meat obtained from young animals weighing up to 40 kg (88 lbs) is especially appreciated. The slaughter yield of carcasses of adult animals above average fatness is 55-60%.
The Shropshire breed is mono-industrial. They breed, like most sheep, once a year. The mating season begins at the end of summer – in the fall. Lambs are born at the beginning of the year. The fertility of the ewes is average, 120 – 130 lambs are born per 100 sheep.
Sheep of this breed are well adapted to a damp, cool climate, but they are relatively well acclimatized in other conditions. The quality of feed is demanding. They show good productive results in year-round grazing conditions.
Hampshire
Hampshire breed is also one of the classic old English breeds. On its basis, many modern breeds were later developed that inherited the appearance and productive characteristics of the Hepmshire sheep.
The Hampshire breed is characterized by a strong-rough constitution of the body structure. The animals are massive, the height at the withers is about 70 – 75 cm, the average live weight of adult male sheep ranges from 100 – 125 kg (220-275 lbs), and the ewes 65 – 85 kg (143-183 lbs).
The fleece is white (gray or light brown color is considered a vice, and such animals lose their breeding status and are subject to culling), uniform in tone and length in all parts of the body, its length is 8 – 10 cm. Runic wool covers the entire body except the nose and legs below the carpal and hock joints. Covering hair is coarse, tight-fitting, dark brown or black. Sheared wool from rams – about 5 – 6 kg (11-13 lbs), and from ewes – 3 – 4 kg (7-10 lbs). The yield of washed wool is in the range of 50-60%. Wool is suitable for the production of high quality fabrics.
Hampshire sheep are bred not only for wool, but also for meat. The meat is moderately oily, tender, with high nutritional value and good taste. The specific smell of mutton is moderate. Slaughter yield of well-fed adult animals can reach up to 65%, young growth – 50 – 52%.
Reproduction in Hampshire sheep is seasonal, once a year. Lambs are born at the beginning of the year. For 100 ewes, 120 to 135 lambs are born. The milk content of the ewes is sufficient for the rapid growth and development of young animals.
Animals are well adapted to a damp cool climate, very rarely suffer from hoof rot. The quality of feed is demanding, but if there is a sufficient amount of greenery, they can be content only with it and show a high level of productivity. Hampshire breed is widespread throughout the world and is one of the most numerous. Hampshire sheep are often used to improve local inbred flocks.
Oxfordshire
The Oxfordshire breed is officially registered in 1862. It was bred in the English county of Oxfordshire. Oxfordshire sheep are large animals: live weight of a ram from 125 to 135 kg (275-297 lbs), ewes – up to 90 kg (198 lbs). Height at the withers: 70 – 85 cm. Most of the herd is characterized by a strong or strong-rough constitution.
Runic wool reaches a length of 7 – 10 cm, pure white. It covers the body of animals, reaching on the extremities to the hocks and carpal joints, and on the head to the forehead, eye level and chin. The cut of wool from one ram is 5 – 5.5 kg (11-12 lbs), from the ewe – about 4.5 – 5 kg (10-11 lbs). The coat is finely curved, strong, shiny. Fiber thickness: 26 – 27.5 microns. The yield of washed fiber: 55 – 58%. The structure of the fleece is staple.
A random Oxford sheep campaign is carried out seasonally, once a year – in the fall. In most ewes, 1 lamb is born, but twin births also occur. From 100 ewes get 120 – 130 lambs. The uterus is characterized by pronounced maternal qualities. Slaughter yield of young carcasses – about 48 – 50%, adult well-fed animals – more than 55%.
Oxford breed sheep are characterized by a calm temperament, are hardy to drive, make good use of natural pastures, and easily tolerate a wet climate. They are widely used for genetic diversity on many commodity farms and served as the source breed for the breeding of a number of modern sheep breeds in different countries of the world.
Latvian Dark-Headed
Latvian dark-headed breed was created in Latvia in the first half of the twentieth century. The main goal of the breed was to improve the productive qualities of coarse-haired sheep bred in Latvia, which were well adapted to the local climate and forage base conditions. The representatives of the Latvian dark-headed breed have a strong constitution and large size, the weight of the sheep ranges from 105 to 120 kg (231-264 lbs).
The fleece is white, but some animals have dark downy hair, due to which the general color may acquire a brownish tint. Runic hair covers the legs just below the elbow joint and knees, and on the head reaches the angle of the lower jaw, eyes, and forehead. Coat is short, dark brown or brown. Sheared wool from a sheep 4 – 5 kg (9-11 lbs). The fiber length is 7 – 9 cm with a fiber thickness of 26.5 – 29.3 microns. Fleece staple, closed. The yield of washed wool is 55 – 58%.
Latvian sheep breed once a year. Fertility: 130 to 150 lambs are born in 100 ewes. Milk content reaches 180 liters in 4 months. This is enough for the normal development and growth of young animals. At the time of weaning, the lambs weigh about 28-30 kg (61-66 lbs). At 7 – 8 months young growth weighs from 40 kg (88 lbs) to 52 kg (114 lbs), and it is completely ready for slaughter. Slaughter yield of animals at this age is not more than 50%, and at the age of one year, with fatness above average, – 58%.
| Sheep Breed | Ram Weight | Ewe Weight | Wool Harvest Ram | Wool Harvest Ewe | Meat Harvest Ram | Meat Harvest Ewe | Lambs per 100 Ewes |
| Lincoln | 130 – 160 kg (268-350 lbs) | 130 – 160 kg (268-350 lbs) | 8–10 kg (17-22 lbs) | 5–6 kg (11-13 lbs) | 63.4% | 67.4% | 120 |
| Romney Marsh | 120 – 130 kg (264-286 lbs) | 120 – 130 kg (264-286 lbs) | 6 – 7 kg (13-15 lbs) | 4 kg (9 lbs) | 55% | 55% | 120-125 |
| Corriedale | 70 – 85 kg (154-187 lbs) | 60 – 70 kg (132-154 lbs) | NA | NA | 55%-57% | 55%-57% | 105-130 |
| Welsh Black-Nose | 80–130 kg (176-286 lbs) | 70–90 kg (154-198 lbs) | 4 – 4.5 kg (9- 10 lbs) | 4 – 4.5 kg (9- 10 lbs) | NA | NA | 140-200 |
| North Caucasian | 110 – 115 kg (242-253 lbs) | 60 – 62 kg (132- 136 lbs) | 10 kg (22 lbs) | 5 – 6 kg (11-13 lbs) | 50% | 50% | 100-140 |
| Border Leicester | 115 kg (253 lbs) | 60 to 70 kg (132-154 lbs) | 6.5 – 6.8 kg (14-15 lbs) | 4 to 5 kg (8-11 lbs) | NA | NA | 150 |
| Shropshire | 90 – 110 kg (198-242 lbs) | 70 – 80 kg (154-176 lbs) | 4 – 4.5 kg (10- 12 lbs) | 4.5 – 5 kg (9- 10 lbs) | 55%-60% | 55%-60% | 120-130 |
| Hampshire | 100 – 125 kg (220-275 lbs) | 65 – 85 kg (143-183 lbs) | 5 – 6 kg (11-13 lbs) | 3 – 4 kg (7-10 lbs) | 65% | 65% | 120-135 |
| Oxfordshire | 125 to 135 kg (275-297 lbs) | 90 kg (198 lbs) | 5 – 5.5 kg (11-12 lbs) | 4.5 – 5 kg (10-11 lbs) | 55% | 55% | 120-135 |
| Latvian Dark-Headed | 105 to 120 kg (231-264 lbs) | 105 to 120 kg (231-264 lbs) | 4 – 5 kg (9-11 lbs) | 4 – 5 kg (9-11 lbs) | 58% | 58% | 130-150 |