Border Leicester Sheep Characteristics

Lambing percentages vary between 165 180.

Border leicester sheep characteristics. It was developed from a breeding scheme of robert bakewell in dishley leicestershire in the 19th century. Hybrid vigour producing high performance breeding ewes. The breed was first known as the dishley leicester and then hexham leicester. The best description of the border leicester sheep can be given from a detailed account of a shearling ram at about 18months old.

The very successful welsh halfbred which is produced from one of our smallest hill ewes the welsh mountain ewe. And their nose is black and the ears are large in size upright. The dishley leicester was created and bred by robert bakewell 1726 1795 by crossing the old lincolnshire breed with the leicestershire type sheep. The border leicester sheep are large sized animals.

Sheep with long lustrous wool have been in leicestershire england since the earliest recorded history of the british isles and are responsible for the improvement and development of other longwool breeds. The border leicester is the largest indigenous breed in the british isles and the purebred is popular with adults and children alike as a show animal due to its attractive characteristics and elegant presence. Border leicester early history of leicester sheep. Border leicester sheep prices vary based on a number of factors including age dna health and breed characteristics.

Excellent maternal characteristics. The border leicester was developed in 1767 in northumberland englandtheir name derives from the fact that their birthplace is near the border of scotland with their foundation stock being dishley leicester rams. The 1920 census. It is not known the exact date that the first border leicester sheep breed was imported to america.

The clean aquiline head and not overheavy shoulders mean that the border leicester ram can safely be used on the smallest ewes eg. Their body is long and are completely white in coloration. But it is safe to assume that they arrive there in 1888 as that was when the american leicester breeders association was started. The main advantages of using a border leicester ram.

The border leicester breed became quite a common breed that was found in the uk in the 19th century. The border leicesters key strengths are as follows. They have well sprung ribs and a wide strong back. The border leicester sheep is a distinctive large white sheep long in body well sprung in ribs with well developed chest and gigot proud and graceful.

It is also known as bluefaced maine and blue headed maine. They have a distinct roman nose which is much like the north country cheviot. The bluefaced leicester sheep is a breed of domestic sheep originated from the united kingdom. The border leicester is renowned for its docility and good maternal qualities.

The border leicester is a very versatile animal either producing commercial halfbred females as flock replacements or butchers lambs.