Kerry hill sheep is a breed of domestic sheep. It is originating in the county of Powys in Wales. They are best known for their meat and wool. The Kerry Hill sheep is an ancient breed of Welsh sheep, originating from Old Powys County in Wales.
They are known for their meat and wool, as well as their flocks increasing five-fold over the last 50 years. The breed has been present in America since before 1750, The Kerry Hill sheep are also known as “Merinos” or “Brangwens”.
They are normally polled horned but can be polled or horned polled. The base color is white and the fur can range from black, gray, and brown. The long fleece can be either wavy or crimped. They are mainly white with light brown and black markings around the face, legs, and back.
They are medium-sized breeds but are not as big as some breeds of sheep. They stand around 36″ at the withers, and can weigh up to 150 lbs. A full-grown ewe can yield up to 5.5 pounds of wool. The weight of the fleece is downy and light, which is good for spinning and weaving.
Contents
How to identify Kerry hill sheep?
Kerry Hill sheep have broad foreheads, with straight horns. Their face is white with dark markings and their legs are white. They have long ears, long necks, and a long bodies. Kerry Hill sheep feed on pasture grasses during the summer months and hay during the winter months.
They are pretty good about staying away from poisonous plants but can be susceptible to fly strikes. They are hardy and resistant to parasites such as fly strikes, worms, or blackleg.
Kerry hill sheep used for?
Kerry hill sheep are mainly used for meat and wool. Kerry Hill sheep are a popular breed for meat and wool. They are good for home breeding and when raised under natural conditions, they represent little to no feed costs. The fleece of these sheep is very light, soft, and wavy, which makes it ideal for spinning, knitting, weaving, and felting.
Kerry hill sheep are one of the healthiest breeds available today. Their meat is considered low in fat and high in marbling which makes it better than most other breeds. In the 1700s and 1800s, they were used to make beautiful clothing, such as wedding dresses and coats.
Today their wool is mainly used in clothing or crafts, such as knitted scarves, mittens, or blankets. However, their meat can be sold in supermarkets or at local farmers’ markets. As a result of being bred for meat and wool, they tend to have a large litter.
Behavioral characteristics
They are excellent foragers and can forage in rocky and steep terrain. The grass is consumed only during the winter months, from October to March. Kerry hill sheep are fairly good at avoiding predators. They stay away from predators by running away and staying in a group.
They will follow their flock mates around and the sheep will stand a good chance of surviving when they do so. They also use their long legs to run up slopes and climb trees. They mature between 6–10 months old and reach full maturity by 12 months.
Special Considerations
There are no special health concerns with Kerry Hill sheep. They are, however, susceptible to flystrike because of their long fleece. Kerry hill sheep are a good breed for small farms and homes, as they do well under harsh environments and can thrive on pasture grasses in the fall and winter months. They survive by staying together in flocks, which helps protect them from predators. However, review the full breed profile of the Kerry hill sheep in the following table.
Best 10+ information
| Breed Name | Kerry Hill Sheep |
| Other Name | Merino, Brangwens |
| Origin | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Size | Large-Medium Pygmy sheep |
| Breed Purpose | Domestic Meat and Wool Sheep |
| Weight | 150 lbs |
| Color | White, wavy patterned fleece |
| Temperament | Peaceful, adaptable. |
| Climate Tolerance | Cold Weather |
| Rarity | Very Rare |
| As Pets | Not Suitable |
| Diet | Low-cost pasture grazing |
| Life Expectancy | 15-20 Years |
