Ryeland sheep
Ryeland sheep came from Herefordshire in England and are amongst the oldest of British breeds (from at least the 12th century). They don’t have any horns, and, according to the Ansi website, “it carries a fine Downs type wool”, which is of excellent quality, “and is well regarded as a fertile, heavy milking breed specializing in the production of prime lambs”.
It is the coloured fleeces which are most valuable - they vary from palest silver to black. The lambs are often born black or very dark brown and the wool becomes lighter as the sheep get older.
The sheep are very friendly, so would be ideal for anyone looking to bond with their sheep.
Picture courtesy of Ian Mann - for more pictures please visit the site.
These two pictures courtesy of Roger Walker - please visit the Smallholder website here. The Smallholder website is for smallholders of North Yorkshire - very useful if you are a smallholder in that region. Even if you aren't, do visit the site anyway, it has many useful links, and information on sheep, pigs, etc.
the two lighter coloured sheep are ewes, while the brown one in the middle is a wether ram, Angus.
this is Norman, a pedigree Ryeland tup.
Blott, one of the ewes in the Woodpightel flock.
Above two pictures courtesy of Alan and Susi Wood. They have a great website all about their Ryeland sheep, and the ryeland breed in general. Please visit it!
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