About
Icelandic Sheep
Icelandic Sheep
The Icelandic Sheep is one of the world's oldest and purest
breeds of sheep. Through the centuries, Icelandic sheep
have been used in their native Iceland for fiber, meat, and
milk production, and bred to fulfill all three of those needs.
They were first imported to the United States within the past
twenty years.
The tail is naturally short, eliminating the need for docking.
The breed has both naturally polled and horned individuals in
both ewes and rams. They are a medium size breed: full
grown ewes in good condition weigh 132-160 lbs., rams
weigh 180-220 lbs.
The lambs are born small which is desirable and
understandable since the normal gestation of 142-144 days
for Icelandic Sheep is on average five days less than the
standard North American breeds. Lambs are incredibly
vigorous, getting on their feet within minutes of birth and
nursing.
Icelandic ewes are seasonal breeders, beginning to come
into heat in late October. They will continue cycling until May
if not bred, but seldom breed naturally in summer. Lambs
reach sexual maturity early, with ewes commonly lambing at
11-12 months of age.
Prolificacy is quite good on average 175% to 200%.
Triplets are fairly common. A Boorola type gene (multiple
births i.e. triplets, quads, and quints) has been found in the
Iceland breed called the Thoka gene named after the first
ewe known to carry this gene.
The Icelandic Sheep's natural colored fleece is striking.
Icelandics come in many colors and patterns from rich
brown, black, white and tan to a subtle hues of silver and
gray. The fleece is dual coated, providing excellent fiber for
the home spinner.
breeds of sheep. Through the centuries, Icelandic sheep
have been used in their native Iceland for fiber, meat, and
milk production, and bred to fulfill all three of those needs.
They were first imported to the United States within the past
twenty years.
The tail is naturally short, eliminating the need for docking.
The breed has both naturally polled and horned individuals in
both ewes and rams. They are a medium size breed: full
grown ewes in good condition weigh 132-160 lbs., rams
weigh 180-220 lbs.
The lambs are born small which is desirable and
understandable since the normal gestation of 142-144 days
for Icelandic Sheep is on average five days less than the
standard North American breeds. Lambs are incredibly
vigorous, getting on their feet within minutes of birth and
nursing.
Icelandic ewes are seasonal breeders, beginning to come
into heat in late October. They will continue cycling until May
if not bred, but seldom breed naturally in summer. Lambs
reach sexual maturity early, with ewes commonly lambing at
11-12 months of age.
Prolificacy is quite good on average 175% to 200%.
Triplets are fairly common. A Boorola type gene (multiple
births i.e. triplets, quads, and quints) has been found in the
Iceland breed called the Thoka gene named after the first
ewe known to carry this gene.
The Icelandic Sheep's natural colored fleece is striking.
Icelandics come in many colors and patterns from rich
brown, black, white and tan to a subtle hues of silver and
gray. The fleece is dual coated, providing excellent fiber for
the home spinner.