The Finnsheep or is a Finnish breed of domestic sheep. It is one of the large Northern European short-tailed group of breeds. The lambs mature early and can be mated at six months of age. Ewes commonly breed out of season and some may lamb twice in a year.Finnsheep In Finland, by H. Goot, 1973 (Special Publication No. 28, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
History
Characteristics
Use
The fineness of Finnsheep wool has some individual variation, but the American Sheep Industry’s Wool Council ranks Finnsheep in the fine end of the medium wool category.Wool Grades and the Sheep that Grow the Wool, from the American Wool Council, a division of the American Sheep Industry Association, 6911 South Yosemite Street, Englewood, CO 80112-1414 - http://www.sheepusa.org.
Although not a large sheep, Finns produce a lean, succulent meat with a delicate and mild flavor, even as adults.
Fertility Finnsheep mature early and are known for their fertility. Rams can be bred at four to eight months of age, and ewes are expected to lamb at twelve months with multiple lambs. Although twins and triplets are most common, there have been litters born with as many as seven viable lambs.
United States Finnsheep were first brought to North America by the University of Manitoba, CA in 1966. A few years later, Finnsheep made their way down into the US by enthusiasts who hoped to improve maternal qualities in commercial flocks. By 1971, The Finnsheep Breeders Association had formed, providing shepherds with a standard of documentation to maintain and improve the integrity of the breed.
References
External links International Finnsheep Registry The US Finnsheep Breeders Association Australian Finnsheep Finnsheep Registry in Finland