East Friesian Sheep Breed – Everything You Need to Know

The East Friesian sheep breed is a medium to large mostly white sheep breed. It has a long compact body; long face and they are quite lively and alert.

They are excellent foragers and grazers that originally came from Friesland area of Germany and Holland. It is known as one of the top dairy sheep breeds around and is also a popular sheep to cross breed with other breeds to improve their milk quality and production.

EAST FRIESIAN SHEEP QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
They are docile, ideal for cross breeding, hardy to most climates and are excellent milkers
Country of Origin:	Germany
Other Names:	Ostfriesisches Milchschaf
Breed Size:	Medium to large
Main Purpose:	Milk
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Can be used for	Breed, Milk, Wool **LSC (Landscape Management)
Temperament:	Quite docile and easy to handle
Ideal Climate:	Most climates
Conservation Status:	Not Listed by the *ALC Status/ Rarity: Common
Health Issues?	No known health issues
Good Starter Sheep?	Novice to intermediate sheep farmer/keeper
Sheep Associations:	Canadian Sheep Breeders Association
Sheep Clubs:	Dairy Sheep Breeders Directory or Canadian Sheep Breeders Association
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy ** LSC stands for Landscape Management – the animal is used for controlling various vegetation growth

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
They are large with a large compact body frame. Although they are mainly white in coloration there are sometimes a darker version. They have thin tails, pale colored hooves and pink noses with a face that is clean of wool.
Color(s):	White and there are some that have a darker color variation
SHEEP ⇒ EWE RAM Breed Weight: 70 to 90 kgs 90 to 100 kgs Breed Height: Unclear they are a medium to large breed Unclear they are a medium to large breed Hair: Fine, white or black Fine white or black Ears: Medium alert and sticks out to the sides of their head Medium alert and sticks out to the sides of their head Horns: Polled Polled Matures at age: 10 weeks/15 months or 15 years 10 weeks to 15 months Puberty Age: 5 to 12 months 5 to 7 months Breeding Age: 18 months 1 year Breeding Traits: See Ewe Breeding & Milking Info. Cover 5 to 10 Ewes in 1 season

EWE BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
The ewes breed once a year and mostly produce enough milk to wean their lambs.
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 16 to 59 hours
Estrous cycle:	Ave. 17 days/15 to 20 days
Gestation Period:	Usually, around 149 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days
No. Lambs/Litter:	1 and on the rare occasion 2 (twins)
Lactation Period:	Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days
Milking From:	4 to 6 weeks after lambing
Milk Quality:	Excellent, Quantity: 400 liters , Per: Lactation period of 220 days
Milk Ideal for:	Drinking and specialty cheeses
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SHEEP MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Most sheep breeds can be used for their meat. Some are purposefully bred for their superior growth rate and meat to bone ratio, lean meat to fat ratio, etc. Some sheep are not used in this capacity but rather for their skin, wool, milk or for breeding.
Meat Production:	N/A
SHEEP ⇒ LAMB HOGGET/MUTTON Approx. Maturity Weight: 58 kgs 79 kgs
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SHEEP WOOL PRODUCTION INFORMATION
They have a fine wool that is not really used in the wool industry. Their fleece is usually soft and a medium to fine, dense, long staple and free of kemp.
Wool Production?	N/A
Wool is used to Produce:	Unclear
SHEEP ⇒ EWE RAM Age they Produce from: 6 to 8 months 6 to 8 months Approx. Length: 10 to 15 cm 10 to 15 cm Microns: 35 to 37 35 to 37 Approx. Quantity: From 4 to 5 kgs year From 4 to 5 kgs year
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SHEEP SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION
They are not primarily bred for their sheep skin production. Although their skin is or has at some time been used for the production of some form of sheep skin product such as chamois, etc.
Skin Production?	N/A
Skin is used to produce:	Kid skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, etc. Chamois cloths, leather goods such as seats, shoes and other garments and leather materials such as furniture, etc.
SHEEP ⇒ EWE RAM Age they Produce from: 3 to 10 months for Kid skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather 3 to 10 months for Kid skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT THE EAST FRIESIAN SHEEP
A few more interesting facts to know about the breed
Child-Friendly?	They are very docile, but no child should be left unattended around them
Landscape Management?	Yes, they are good grazes and forages that are quite good for land as long as the flock size is well managed.
Where to buy them?	Please refer to the Dairy Sheep Breeders Directory or Canadian Sheep Breeders Association

GENERAL INFORMATION

The East Friesian Sheep breed is thought to be the most numerous dairy breed in the United States.

The East Friesian sheep breed is considered to be the heaviest milk sheep breed in the world.

The East Friesian sheep breed is also and effective and efficient lamb producer with most mature ewes producing two lambs per lambing.

Most sheep breeds can be used for their meat. Some are purposefully bred for their superior growth rate and meat to bone ratio, lean meat to fat ratio, etc. Some sheep are not used in this capacity but rather for their skin, wool, milk or for breeding.

They have a fine wool that is not really used in the wool industry. Their fleece is usually soft and a medium to fine, dense, long staple and free of kemp.

They are not primarily bred for their sheep skin production. Although their skin is or has at some time been used for the production of some form of sheep skin product such as chamois, etc.

HISTORY

The East Friesian sheep breed is a medium to large sized breed that originated in the Friesland area of Northern Germany and Holland.

The breed is one of, if not the best dairy sheep breed in the world producing up to 400 liters of milk over a 220-day lactation period. They are widely used to cross breed with other popular dairy and non-dairy breeds of sheep to improve the other breeds milk quality and production.

The breed is popular in the United States and Canada where it was introduced to the United States in 1994 from Canada. Since then the breed has fast gained a lot of popularity with the dairy sheep industry and breeder looking to improve their flocks milking qualities and abilities.

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