Finnsheep

Finnsheep
Country of originFinland
Standardhornless, face and legs free of wool, naturally short tail
UseMeat, Wool, Milk, Landscape Management
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    150lb-200lbs
  • Female:
    120-180lbs
Wool colorall colors, solid or spotted, often white
Horn statususually polled
Notes
Large litters of 3 or more are common

The Finnish Landrace, Finn or Finnsheep is a breed of domestic sheep native to Finland. It is one of several Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds, but is notable for its high incidence of multiple births – it is common for a ewe to have three, four, or even five lambs at once.

The lambs are often small, but are vigorous at birth and grow well.[clarification needed] 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.[1] The breed belongs to the group of Northern European short-tailed sheep, which also includes Shetland, Icelandic, Romanov, Spaelsau, and several other breeds.

The Finnsheep is often used in crossbreeding programs to increase lambing percentage, and Finnsheep blood is found in many of the newer breeds.

  1. ^ Finnsheep In Finland, by H. Goot, 1973 (Special Publication No. 28, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel