Sheep

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  Sheep

  A Complete Guide to Caring for Oxford Sheep

  Oxford sheep are a large native Down breed from Oxfordshire, popular in the UK for meat production, showing and pedigree flocks. They have dark faces, woolly foreheads and calm behaviour. Ewes usually weigh 80–100 kg and rams often exceed 120 kg, giving heavy, well-muscled carcasses and good growth. Oxford sheep care needs strong fencing, simple shelters, fresh water and year-round access to grass, hay or silage plus minerals. Breeding uses rams from 12–18 months and lambing needs supervision because lambs and ewes are large. Health work includes vaccinations, faecal egg counts, flystrike prevention and regular foot care. This guide covers Oxford sheep housing, feeding, breeding and health for commercial farms and smallholders looking for a hardy, easy to handle meat breed.

  1 August 2026

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  Sheep

  A Complete Guide to Caring for Lleyn Sheep

  Lleyn sheep are a British breed from the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales. They have strong maternal ability, high fertility and a calm temperament. Lleyn ewes suit self-replacing flocks and do well on lowland and marginal land. Management is simple: good pasture, extra feed for pregnant and milking ewes, clean water, basic shelter and routine health care including vaccines and worm checks. Lambs are vigorous, grow quickly and give good meat. The fleece is medium grade, sheared once a year and used for general wool products. Lleyn sheep are a reliable, easy to manage choice for commercial farms and smallholders.

  21 July 2026

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  Sheep

  A Complete Guide to Caring for Kerry Hill Sheep

  Kerry Hill sheep are a native British breed from Kerry in Powys, Wales, known for bold black and white markings and upright ears. They are medium sized and hornless, hardy and easy to keep in upland or lowland systems. Ewes weigh about 55 to 70 kg and rams 80 to 90 kg. They have strong maternal ability, high lamb survival and usually straightforward lambing. Housing needs are small: good pasture, shelter in bad weather, secure 1.2 metre fencing and fresh water. Feed with grass, plus hay or silage in winter and minerals for pregnant and lactating ewes. Work with your vet on vaccinations, worm testing, flystrike prevention and hoof care. The medium fleece is used for carpets and rugs and the lamb meat produces a well shaped carcass. Kerry Hills suit commercial farmers, smallholders and show people who want a hardy, productive and attractive native breed.

  15 June 2026

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  Sheep

  A Complete Guide to Caring for Zwartbles Sheep

  Zwartbles sheep are a calm, friendly breed from the Netherlands that are now popular across the UK. They have jet black fleece with a white blaze, white socks and a white tail tip. Both rams and ewes are hornless and the breed is large, good-natured and a strong mother. Zwartbles are suited to smallholdings, commercial farms and conservation grazing. Care is simple: good pasture, hay or silage in winter, extra feed for pregnant and milking ewes, and fresh water at all times. Provide simple shelter, routine shearing once a year and basic handling facilities. Work with your vet on vaccinations, use faecal egg counts for worm control, watch for flystrike in warm weather and trim hooves when needed. The fleece is medium length and useful for rugs or craft. This guide covers Zwartbles sheep care, breeding, housing, feeding and health for keepers in the UK.

  29 May 2026