Norfolk horn sheep is a British black-faced sheep breed. It is a type of British black-faced sheep breed in the UK. They are similar to the Scottish blackface breed but have large horns with white spots on them that make them look different.
Not much is known about their history, but it’s thought they may have been brought over with Celtic sheep breeds. These breeds were once common in Suffolk and Nottinghamshire in England, but now they can be found across the UK where they are often kept as pets and used for rodeo events.
The horn quality is moderate, but good horn length and a fine curved tip are preferred. The wool quality is good and they are very long-lived. They are a good choice for the park, draught, and general farm animals.
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How to identify Norfolk horn sheep?
Norfolk sheep are black-faced sheep with white spots on their horns and faces. Their horns are short and curved, but not as short as a modern sheep’s. Horn length should be about 6 inches(15 cm) for males and 5 inches(13 cm) for females, but ideally, it should be about 7 inches(18 cm) for males and 6 inches (15 cm) for females.
The tip of the horn is fine but not very straight in shape. The Horn color is black (dark or dark brown). They have a white face and the belly is white. The average weight of a male adult is 80 to 100 kg (176.4 to 220.5 lb). The average weight of a female adult is around 65 to 85 kg (143.3 to 187.3 lb).
They are slightly smaller than black-faced lambs, but they are bigger than Cheviot and Suffolk sheep which are smaller than them. Horn size is larger in males than in females, but females have good horn quality too.
Color
White with blackhead and belly. The face will have white around the mouth and nose in some individuals. Younger sheep may have speckled faces with black patches on a white background. The base of the wool around their feet should be white or pale grey.
Behavioral characteristics
The Norfolk sheep are usually docile and easy to tame, and the ideal trained animal is quiet and calm. They can be easily trained to move as required in a flock. Norfolk sheep are gentle but very intelligent with a tendency to become mischievous if they get too much freedom. The ewe lambs sometimes run away from their mothers after birth, which can be dangerous for the mother unless she takes care of them.
Horn sheep can be aggressive if they are threatened or feel that someone is a threat. They can also be shy and uncertain around strangers. Unlike other sheep breeds, they tend to not be attracted to other sheep while grazing together in the pasture, but rather stay away from them on their own.
Uses
Mainly uses Wool and meat. These sheep produce clean, soft wool. It is used for making garments and garments for paper manufacturing. This breed is good for meat and it is also used for a few other purposes as well. They are suitable for crossbreeding with other breeds but the pure Norfolk horn sheep are preferred more due to their clean wool quality, docile nature, and gentle temperament.
Diseases
The most common disease in these sheep is foot rot. They are also prone to parasitic worms that can be treated by a veterinarian. The sheep can get some other ailments like frostbite during harsh winters, or respiratory problems and pneumonia. They are also accident-prone, so maintaining a safe environment for them is important.
Special Considerations
Norfolk horn sheep do not produce a lot of milk, and their milk is slightly acidic. They are sensitive to heat, so they should be kept away from severe heat during summer. They can also suffer from heat exhaustion if exposed to too much heat. However, review the full breed profile of the Norfolk horn sheep in the following table.
Best 10+ information:
| Breed Name | Norfolk horn sheep |
| Other Name | Blackface, blackface sheep |
| Origin | England |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, fiber |
| Color | Black (but with white spots) |
| Temperament | Friendly and calm |
| Climate Tolerance | They are tolerant to a variety of climates |
| Rarity | They are not a common breed. |
| As Pets | Well suited to be kept as pets since they are friendly, quiet, and calm. |
| Life Span | The average is 10 to 12 years. |
