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Sheep Breeds    ›    Long Wool Breeds    ›    Border Leicester

Border Leicester Sheep Breed Information

Border Leicester Sheep
The Border Leicester is one of three distinctive sheep breeds of Leichester in the UK. Matthew and George Culley founded this breed of sheep in Northumberland in England in 1767. It is assumed that the brothers, who were friends of Robert Bakewell, might have created the Border Leicester by crossbreeding Teeswater ewes and Leicester rams, while others are skeptical as to whether or not the blood of Cheviot sheep was involved. Border Leicesters gained popularity in England in the 1860’s and are now one of the predominant sheep breeds throughout England and many other countries. Border Leicester ewes are known for their milk production and are typically good mothers, caring for Border Leicester lambs independent of human intervention. Border Leicesters are commonly used to sire crossbred brood ewes. Their wool is glossy and thick and as a result Border Leicester sheep are often valued first and foremost for their wool production. Border Leicester sheep tend to be average to large in size and have white, bare faces and legs.

Long Wool Breeds
  • Coopworth
  • Cotswold
  • Lincoln
  • Perendale
  • Romney
  • Wensleydale

Back to Directory of Sheep Breeds

Border Leicester Sheep

Border Leicester Sheep Breed Info.

MATURE BODY WEIGHT
Ram 225-300 lb
Ewe 150-225 lb

AVERAGE FIBER DIAMETER
Micron 30-38
USDA Wool Grade 40’s-50’s

GREASE FLEECE WEIGHT

Ewe 8-12 lb

YIELD
60-70%

STAPLE LENGTH
5-10"
Border Leicester Ewe with Lambs
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