Diversity

About Border Leicester SheepAbout Border Leicester Sheep



Border Leicester sheep are one of three distinct breeds of Leicester sheep.

Border Leicester sheep were developed in 1767 by George and Matthew Culley of Fenton, Northumberland, England. They were friends of Robert Bakewell and had access to his improved Leicesters. Some believe that the Culley brothers developed the Border Leicester by crossing Bakewell's improved Leicester rams with Teeswater ewes. Others argue that Cheviot blood was introduced.

In any case, the breed was firmly established in England by 1850 and Border Leicesters have now surpassed the old English Leicester in popularity in the British Isles and in other countries.   Border Leicesters are a distinctively large white sheep, long in body, well sprung ribs with well-developed chest and gigot, proud and graceful with white densely planted wool, 18-20 cms in length. Average mature ewe weighs 80-100 kg, rams 125-150kg.

They are moderately prolific, good milkers, and mothers. They have been used throughout the world to sire crossbred females. They yield a long-stapled, lustrous, coarse wool that is much in demand by hand spinners.

Border Leicester Sheep Associations

Natural Colored Wool Growers Association Natural Colored Wool Growers Association - www.ncwga.org