Friesland sheep is a breed of dairy sheep. It is originated from East Frisia in northern Germany. They are dwarf in size and have red-brown wool. Friesland sheep is a prime example of how to direct selection can produce disease-resistant animals with low milk production but high lamb and fleece yields. The breed is also known for its docile temperament, which makes them popular among smallholder farmers in cold climate countries such as Canada and Russia.
They are used for breeding, especially in the dairy cattle industry in North America and Europe. The wool is produced by the Friesian and Belted Galloway breeds. Scientific studies have been conducted on East Frisian relatives of Friesland sheep, namely North Frisian sheep (Oesel), which show that they are equally as special as their East Frisian counterparts. This Sheep Breeders Association is one of the largest associations of breeders worldwide with about 5000 members.
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How to identify Friesland sheep?
Friesland Sheep is an extremely agile, disease-resistant, and hardy breed. They are very easy to identify as their appearance is quite different from other breeds. Their distinctive features include:
These sheep are very calm. They are usually found in black and white, but some farmers also raise the brown variations that include black and white tones. The wool provided by this breed is coarse and ranges from 3 to 4 inches long. They can also be found in two color variations brown and black.
History:
The Friesian sheep originated from the Frisia region in Western Germany and has spread from there to Denmark, northern Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In Northern Germany called East Frisia, the modern-day Friesland Sheep was developed.
Behavioral characteristics:
Friesland Sheep are extremely docile and have a low hoppiness. They have a calm temperament that makes them popular in cold climate countries. They are very easy to train and they are great as a companion animals. Many farmers invest in the sheep because they are less demanding and require little attention, which is important when you have only limited time to devote to farm work. This sheep usually stay at home, sleeping most of the day but should occasionally be let out on pasture to graze.
Uses:
Friesland sheep are used primarily for meat production, however, they are also great for milk production due to their docile and low maintenance nature. They’re fine wool is highly sought after in the woolen industry.
As pet:
Friesland Sheep are great pets. They are friendly and require little attention. Friesland sheep can be easily trained. It is important to understand the limitations of their size as they will not grow large like their counterparts – the Charolais or Angus. Friesland sheep have a low maintenance nature, which makes them ideal for novice farmers who do not have time to give full attention to the needs of a larger breed of livestock.
Health issue:
Friesland sheep are very healthy and disease resistant. They are very mild, which makes them ideal to use as a companion animals or to raise as pets.
Special Considerations:
Friesland sheep are very docile and gentle with little or no hoppiness. This means that they are very popular among smallholder farmers in cold climate countries such as Canada and Russia. They do not grow large like their counterparts – the Charolais or Angus, although they can still be of great value to farmers who do not have enough pasture to keep larger livestock.
Best 10+information:
| Breed Name: | Friesland Sheep. |
| Country of Origin: | Netherlands. |
| Type: | Dairy/Meat. |
| Color Variations: | Black and white, brown and white and white with multi-color spots (red-brown). |
| Climate Tolerance: | Cold and temperate. |
| Temperament: | Gentle and friendly. |
| Rarity: | Semi-popular. |
| Diet: | Grain, grass, and hay. |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 years (some say 20). |
