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About the breed...

We sell Purebred East Friesian breeding stock as well as East Friesian crossed with Icelandic stock. Please contact us for further info on lines and prices (April-Dec). Our herd was the first to become certified Scrapie free in Vermont.

 

                                

spacew.GIF (38 bytes)East Friesians date back to around 1530 where they are mentioned in the Vatican archives as larger than other sheep of the time and capable of raising up to five lambs! There is some confusion as to their origin. It is said there were two distinct strains: one that came from the province of Friesland in Holland and the other from East Friesland in Northern Germany (1530). The breed is polled, has either white or black wool, a distinctive "rat" tail (long, skinny tail with no fleece), a long face with a Roman nose and long forward pointing ears. They are large framed with better than average carcass characteristics. Capable of breeding out of season, mature ewes' weights average 185 pounds. Average lambing percentage is 230%. Wool production averages 12 lbs/ewe (54s Bradford count). Average weight gain to 100 days is .73 lbs per day.

  • Average milk production is 600 Liters (that's 1362 pounds or 160 gallons) Exceptional ewes may produce up to 1500 Liters!
  • Average lactation 200-230 days
  • Average milk fat 6%
  • Average total solids 18%

 

                            last updated  09/29/2007

    Willow Hill Farm  © All Rights Reserved 1998-2007

                      802.893.2963  Milton, Vermont 05468