Hampshire Sheep
Some History And Practical Information On The Hampshire Sheep
The Hampshire sheep is a relatively modern pedigreed breed, based stringently on a very old strain of undomesticated sheep. The Old Hampshire “wild” sheep was introduced to captivity in the early 1830’s, and was subsequently bred with some of the more favorable breeds of that time period, such as the white-faced, horned Berkshire Nott. After a promising trail of desirable rams were obtained from these trials, the resulting Southdowns Sheep were bred to Cotswold ewes, until the Hampshire sheep was perfected and pedigreed as a superior relative to the Old Hampshire. The breed today is polled, which is to say that the horns have been bred out and no longer exist. Also, despite countless efforts to incorporate white faced genes into the early stock, the Hampshire sheep has a solid black face and legs.
There are a great many advantages to owning to the Hampshire sheep over the older and less giving breeds. The Hampshire sheep is an easy keeper, putting weight on quickly, easily, and with no expensive supplements. The back has become more broad and strong, allowing for a nice rack upon slaughter of either lambs or adults. The center of gravity is low to the ground as this breed is prone to having very short legs. Temperament is amiable and pleasant, whether dealing with rams or ewes. The maternal instincts of the ewe are very strong, even when she is bred at a young age, and she always carries sufficient milk for the common multiple births.
Cross breeding still gives some of the finer strengths of the Hampshire sheep to other species and bloodlines, and it is not uncommon to come across farms where multiple breeds and infused with the strong, positive genes of the Hampshire. Though they are not prone to year round propagation, as some of the more favorable lambing breeds are, the yield is plentiful and the meat highly desirable whenever it becomes available on the market. Hardy and not finicky or prone to illness whatsoever, the Hampshire sheep in flock status is an easy charge and can be left to pasture for months without requiring attention. Ample water is a must, and some standing, open shelter areas for escape from harsh and severe weather are recommended, but the hooves should only need trimming once per year.
The wool of the Hampshire sheep is also more favorable that that of his predecessors, and it is produced quite readily with little fuss or finish. The only issue for wool farmers is that the cost of shearing has taken such an upward slant of late. Most have opted out of the wool arena as their primary farming revenue, and begun raising for meat production and milk products.