Originally from a region in the north of Holland from which it takes its name, the ‘Friesland’ has developed a strong and well earned reputation as a prolific, motherly, good tempered milky sheep. Whilst relatively large framed, the Friesland’s characteristic slender limbs and a narrow white head make for easy lambing and with the head, belly and (long) tail completely clear of wool, it has obvious management advantages.
Lambs:
The lamb is outstandingly vigorous at birth, standing to suck from its mother in minutes. The conformation of the animal enables easy birth and seldom presents birthing problems with the ewe frequently rearing twins and triplets.
Milking:
With lactations up to 10 months and average yields in established flocks from 250 to 350 litres of just grass, the Friesland adapts well to parlour milking. Commonly milked twice daily, the easy temperament makes them particularly suitable to constant human contact. Consequently the Friesland sheep has played a significant part in a growing market in ewes milk products within the dairy industry and throughout the world.