The Kerry Hill (Welsh: Dafad Bryniau Ceri) is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the county of Powys in Wales. It derives its name from the village of Kerry (Ceri), near Newtown.[1] Kerry Hill sheep have a distinctive and unique coloration, with a white face bearing black markings around the mouth, ears, and eyes.[2] Both rams and ewes are polled. Their wool is white, and their legs are white with black markings. First mentions of the breed date back to the early 19th century, and today it is distributed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Though still not very numerous, the breed was removed from the records of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist in 2006.[3] This breed is primarily raised for meat.[4]
The Kerry Hill Flock Book Society keeps a register of pure bred animals and provides information on the breed, shows and sales.[5]
Characteristics
editThe Kerry Hill is a medium-sized breed of sturdy build, an average ewe weighing about 55 to 65 kg (121 to 143 lb) and a ram a little more.. The face is white with black markings on the nose and around the eyes, with black, wool-less ears set high on the head. The legs are white with black markings. The fleece is fine and white, with a Bradford count of 54 to 56 and a staple length of 10 cm (4 in). An average fleece weighs about 2.75 kg (6.1 lb).[1]
The lambing percentage is often 175% and a terminal sire can be used for a larger carcase. The ewes milk well and the lambs grow fast. They can produce a 16 kg (35 lb) carcase at twelve to fourteen weeks, or if overwintered, a 20 to 25 kg (44 to 55 lb) carcase the following spring.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Kerry Hill". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- ^ "Kerry Hill". National Sheep Association (U.K.). 16 March 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
- ^ "Rare Breeds 'Watchlist': Good News And Bad". Rare Breeds Survival Trust. 2006-01-09. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
- ^ "Kerry Hill/United Kingdom". Breed Data Sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
- ^ "Kerry Hill Flock Book Society". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
Literature
edit- Williams-Davies J (1981/1987), Welsh Sheep and their Wool. Gomer, Llandysul pp.39-42.
External links
edit
- Dutch Kerry Hill association (Dutch)
- Danish Kerry Hill association Archived 2020-02-20 at the Wayback Machine (Danish)
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