Which sheep is best for meat

Leicester longwool sheep are believed to be an English breed of sheep; they were supposed to be discovered by 18th-century breeding innovator Robert Bakewell. They are medium to large-sized animals. Nowadays, they are considered one of the rarest breeds of sheep in Britain.

They are almost on the verge of getting extinct. This breed is one of the purest breeds that was introduced in Australia. Their average weight is pounds. Lincoln sheep is a breed that originated from England; Lincoln is the largest British sheep breed. They are developed mainly to produce the most massive, longest, and most lustrous fleece in the world.

Its wool is used in spinning, weaving, and other crafts. They are involved in crossbreeding with other breeds to increase the productivity of wool and meat. They are large-sized animals weighing kg. The Dorset sheep breed originated in the United Kingdom, and it is a British sheep breed. They were discovered in the 17th century; Dorset sheep are highly economical as sometimes they can have two lambing seasons per year. Among other British breeds, they can be bred throughout the winters.

Its main attraction is its curled horns and pink nose; they produce a thick fleece of about 2. Their average weight of Dorset sheep varies according to its gender; for instance, a male Dorset weighs about kg, whereas a female Dorset weighs kg.

Due to its massive demand for meat, the Dorset sheep get exported to many countries as they are one of the purest British breeds. Dorper sheep breed is a domestic sheep breed mainly originated from South Africa. This breed was created mainly to get a good yield of meat and milk by the South African Department of Agriculture.

The Dorper breed is very economical; it requires less input and is easy to manage as they are docile. Dorper sheep are small to medium-sized animals with no horns, and the lambs can weigh about 36 kg during their days of age. Tsigai originates from Asia and is a Hungarian sheep breed; it came to Hungary in the 18th century. Tsigai is mostly bred for its tender meat, milk, and soft wool.

Tsigai are small-sized animals with an average weight of about. There are two different breeds of Tsigai one is native or old Tsigai, which is a dual-purpose breed used for its wool and milk, whereas the other one domestic Tsigai is used for the production of milk.

The Hampshire, also known as Hampshire down, is a breed of sheep that mainly originates from the United Kingdom. This breed is developed from crossbreeding. Hampshire sheep are prevalent animals as they produce fine quality wool. Hampshire produces meat, which is fatty and lean in texture and very much succulent in taste; therefore, it is exported from rest parts of the world due to its fantastic flavor.

The average weight of a Hampshire varies from 91 — kg. The hornless sheep have long drooping ears, similar to goats. Persians are excellent mothers with an even temperament. The breeding interval is 8 months and a high percentage of twins are produced.

It is bred exclusively for its meat, although its skin - the blackhead Persian specifically - can be used for the production of thin, high-grade leather products. The Persian is more resistant to disease than other sheep breeds and has been used for breeding with other breeds to improve their meat production. Commercial farming with this breed only started in the s. The Ile de France is a large, smooth-bodied polled meat breed, producing strong white wool of 23 - 27 micron.

The favourite of Parisian chefs. Churchill Farm. The Charollais is one of the latest recognized domestic sheep breeds. It has its origins in the Burgundy region of France. These sheep are medium to large-sized, well-muscled with pink-grey faces and legs and fine to medium wool covering the body. They are generally used as a terminal sire to increase the muscling and growth rate of lambs. They are heavily muscled and produce lean carcasses, ideal for the meat trade.

Fast growth, lean quality meat, high yield, easy lambing and quality carcass make Charollais desirable among sheep farmers. However, these sheep are poor foragers. A good pasture is must for these sheep lacking which they may need supplementation. Icelandic sheep are well known internationally for their wool. Icelandic sheep were first brought to Iceland by Viking settlers more than years ago. It is known to be one of the purest breeds in the world today because it has not been crossbred with other imported sheep breeds.

The meat of an Icelandic sheep is appreciated throughout the world for its organic purity and mild flavour. These are another low maintenance breed of sheep that can bring great profits. The sheep do good even on poor pasture or range with little or no supplementation. The meat of Icelandic lambs is tender and has a fine texture. Lambs reach marketing weight at four to five months. Tunis sheep are two types: Tunis Barbarin raised for meat and American Tunis raised for meat and wool.

Leatherwood Creek Farm. Tunis is thought to have originated nearly years ago in Tunisia. These are one of those fat-tailed sheep that are loved by the regular lamb eaters. Tunis are excellent foragers and grazers. They usually do not need additional supplementation and are quite profitable. Although Tunis is a dual-purpose breed, nowadays they are being raised for market meat production.

The sheep are quite hardy and able to thrive in a hot and dry climate. The Barbados Blackbelly is a dark-haired sheep breed that originated from Barbados in the West Indies. American Blackbellly on the other hand was derived by crossing the naturally polled Barbados with mouflon sheep, Dorsets and Merinos. The Shetland sheep breed are historically known for producing delicious mutton of a high quality and outstanding flavor.

They meat has a fine texture and far leaner than other breeds as the sheep tends to not store their fat solely around their muscle but rather more around their organs. The lamb of a Shetland just under one year of age is around 12 to 17 kg and has a delicate flavor that can be used for fast preparation as it does not need to have much added flavors or spices. The Hogget, which are aged at around 1 to 2 years of age get weights of between 16 to 20 kgs and the Hogget tends to be able to be cooked as you would the lamb only it tends to be a lot more flavorsome.

The Teeswater sheep breed is a hardy sheep breed that can withstand most climatic and environmental conditions. They have a long life and the ewes can produce lambs for up to 10 to 12 years of age. The Teeswater has a lean meat with a good meat to bone ratio and light bone. Purebred lambs can reach a weight of The lambs can also reach a weight of up to 30 kgs without excess fat. The North Country Cheviot sheep is a Cheviot breed of sheep that originated from Scotland in around They are a very striking looking sheep that are hardy and very alert.

They are known for the clean smooth haired white faces and legs. They are bred in Scotland but are found in most parts of the United Kingdom as well as Ireland. The Cheviot sheep breed is generally the lamb or sheep meat choice of most mothers. The meat has more meat and less fat ratio thereby giving less weight percentage.