Top Dairy Sheep breeds
Are you thinking about starting a flock of dairy sheep? They are the perfect homestead animal as they take less inputs than cows and are far easier to manage than goats. Plus the milk is amazing and sheep milk is super nutritious. Let’s learn about some of the best dairy sheep breeds:
Dairy sheep contribute significantly to diversified farm operations, with their milk being a valuable resource for cheesemaking and other dairy products. This article delves into East Friesian, Lacaune, Awassi, Assaf, and British Milking Sheep, as well as Tunis, Icelandic, and Finnsheep (milky lines).
East Friesian * Awassi * Assaf * Lacaune * British Milking
If you are new to dairy sheep here’s a short description of the three main breeds that our sheep have in their genetics:
East Friesian (EF): Also known in Germany as Fries Melkschaap, these are the the big producers of milk. They come from the East Friesia area of Germany. Typically white with pink noses and ears. However, there is also a black EF. We had a black EF ram (shown above that as you can see has wool that fades to brown. This fading is very common with any black wool sheep. In the same area (Northern Germany) can can find a breed named Zwartbles. Zwartables usually have a white blaze on their black head. Physically, they look (to me) identical to the black EF. Are they the same breed? That I cannot say but it’s my suspicion that they are. The breed is naturally polled which means they don’t grow horns. East Friesians sport what’s referred to as a rat tail which is longish and nearly hairless.
How do they do as dairy sheep? I consider East Friesians to be the Cadillac of dairy sheep. By that I mean this breed produces more milk per day and more milk over an extended breeding season. East Friesian dairy sheep will produce, on the low end, 115 gallons/435 liters up to somewhere north of 200 gallons/760 liters. at the high end per season. This is dependent on the length of the lactation (assume the lactation period runs at a minimum 6 months up to 9 months) and whether you are milking once or twice a day.
Here’s more about East Friesian sheep:
Origin: Northern Germany and the Netherlands.
Size: Medium to large; ewes typically weigh 150–200 pounds.
Color: White with a clean face and legs; some strains have black or brown markings.
Wool Quality: Fine, dense, and relatively soft; fleece weight averages 4–8 pounds annually.
Milk Production: Among the highest-producing dairy sheep, yielding 4–7 liters per day.
Lactation Duration: About 6–8 months; total lactation yield ranges from 400–600 liters.
Lambing Statistics: Highly prolific with an average of 2–3 lambs per birth; excellent maternal traits.
Other Notes: Known for their docility and ease of handling but require high-quality feed and management to thrive.
Awassi: Commonly found in East Asia, they are well developed to sustain themselves in more arid, dry pasture conditions. The males are horned while the females are often, but not always naturally polled. If the ewe grows horns they are typically short spurs. The Awassi tail is shorter and fat. The fat tail stores nutrients for leaner periods. Aside from thriving on less lush pasture, they are naturally more parasite tolerant. The trade off for all the hardiness of the Awassi breed is less milk. Based on my research, a pure Awassi produces between 50 to 80 gallons of milk over a maximum six month period.
Here’s more about Awassi sheep:
Origin: Middle East, particularly in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
Size: Large; ewes weigh around 130–200 pounds.
Color: Varies from brown to white, often with a distinctive white blaze on the face.
Wool Quality: Coarse and long-stapled, used for carpets and other sturdy textiles.
Milk Production: Produces 1.5–3 liters per day under good conditions.
Lactation Duration: About 6–7 months, with total yields of 200–300 liters.
Lambing Statistics: Typically 1 lamb per birth, though selective breeding can improve prolificacy.
Other Notes: Hardy and well-suited for arid climates; known for their fat-tailed phenotype, which stores energy.
Assaf: A breed developed by crossing EF with Awassi. The goal here is to get both strong milk production and parasite resistance. The breed was developed using a 3/5 EF and and 2/5 Awassi. This is a fairly new breed developed in Israel.
Here’s more about Assaf sheep:
Origin: Developed in Israel from a cross of Awassi and East Friesian breeds.
Size: Medium to large; ewes weigh 130–180 pounds.
Color: Predominantly white.
Wool Quality: Similar to Awassi, coarse and primarily used for utility purposes.
Milk Production: Yields 3–5 liters per day on average, combining the high productivity of East Friesian and the hardiness of Awassi.
Lactation Duration: Typically 7–8 months, with total yields ranging from 400–500 liters.
Lambing Statistics: High prolificacy, with an average of 2–3 lambs per lambing; excellent maternal instincts.
Other Notes: A versatile breed that thrives in various climates and farming systems.
Lacaune: Another white sheep from Southern France. Medium sized build. Naturally polled so no horns. Lacaune deliver 80 to 100 gallons over about a six month period. Lacaunes are sought after in France for their high butterfat milk, possibly the highest of all the dairy sheep.
Here’s more on Lacaune daily sheep:
Origin: France, particularly the southern region.
Size: Medium; ewes weigh around 130–170 pounds.
Color: White; the head and legs are often bare.
Wool Quality: Coarse and used for general purposes rather than fine textiles; fleece weight is around 3–6 pounds annually.
Milk Production: Averages 2–3 liters per day, depending on management.
Lactation Duration:5–7 months, with total lactation yields ranging from 300–500 liters.
Lambing Statistics: Typically gives birth to 1–2 lambs per season; good mothers with a balance of milk and meat qualities.
Other Notes: Lacaune sheep’s milk is essential for producing Roquefort cheese.
British Milking: Available in Canada (and, of course England), this breed is not available in the US.
Here’s more about British Milking sheep:
Origin: United Kingdom; a composite breed developed from East Friesian, Dorset, and other local breeds.
Size: Medium to large; ewes weigh around 150–180 pounds.
Color: Typically white, though some individuals have black or speckled markings.
Wool Quality: Medium-fine fleece, suitable for a range of uses; fleece weight averages 5–8 pounds.
Milk Production: Produces 2–4 liters per day, with good milk composition for cheese-making.
Lactation Duration: About 5–7 months, yielding 300–500 liters per cycle.
Lambing Statistics: Highly prolific, with 2–3 lambs per lambing.
Other Notes: A well-rounded breed valued for milk, meat, and wool production.
Lesser known dairy sheep breeds
Tunis sheep
Origin: North Africa, adapted to the U.S. in the late 18th century.
Size: Medium; ewes weigh 120–180 pounds.
Color: Creamy white fleece with reddish-brown faces and legs.
Wool Quality: Medium-grade fleece; dense and soft, with annual yields of 4–6 pounds.
Milk Production: Not a specialized dairy breed but certain milky lines can produce 1.5–2 liters per day.
Lactation Duration: About 4–6 months, with total yields of 200–300 liters.
Lambing Statistics: Prolific, with 2 lambs per birth being common.
Other Notes: Known for their hardiness and adaptability to hot climates; excellent foragers.
Clun Forest
Icelandic
Finnsheep: Not all Finns are dairy animals. However, a handful of breeders are working on milky lines. We are excited to join these breeders. Finns are know for wonderful fleece and meat with a delicate flavor. We find them very friendly. Finns are smaller than EF crosses and they are more thrifty from a feed perspective. Also, Finn ewes, can have literally litters of lambs. We know of one ewe that has had lambing litters of 6 and 7 lambs in different years. Expect a six month lactation and anywhere from a quart to a half gallon a day.
OUR SHEEP
EWES: Dot and Louise are high percentage EF crossed with Lacaune. (I do linger a suspicion that Louise also has some Awassi in her. There are Awassi raised at the sheep dairy from which we got her. My reasoning is her unusual coloration and her tendency to throw off lambs with scurs or horns) Dot is a big ewe at about 200 lbs while Louise is a bit smaller at 175 lbs. Our pure Finn ewes are Sugar who weighs in at about 135 lbs and Dandelion who weighs in at 140 lbs.
RAMS: Our rams are also pure Finn Fredo and Oliver are wonderful rams who are so friendly my husband Bob calls them wooly puppy dogs. Fredo weighs in at about 170 lbs and Oliver who is a very large Finn ram is at about 200 lbs and may get bigger.