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Sheep Notes:

 

Shetland Sheep:

Shetland Sheep are a small, calm breed of sheep -- ideal for a small flock!

Shetlands are one of the smallest of the British sheep. Rams usually weigh 90 to 125 pounds and ewes about 90 pounds. Rams usually have beautiful spiral horns, whereas the ewes are typically polled. They are fine-boned and have short, fluke-shaped tails, that do not require docking.

Although She tlands are small and relatively slow growing, they maintain natural hardiness, thriftiness, easy lambing, adaptability and longevity. Shetlands survived for centuries under harsh conditions and on a meager diet, although they do very well under less rigorous conditions. Having retained many of their primitive survival instincts, they are easier to care for than many of today's commercial breeds.

The Shetland's roots go back over a thousand years, probably to sheep brought to the Shetland Islands by Viking settlers. They belong to the Northern European short-tailed group, which also contains the Finnsheep, Norwegian Spaelsau, Icelandics, Romanovs and others.

 

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Registered Shetland Sheep NASSA #257. Scrapies free flock. Contact Jean for information

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