Copyright © 1995-2015 Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. The Old Hampshire, Berkshire Knot, Willshire Horn and Southdown sheep were believed by most writers to be the original broods found in and along the borders of Hampshire County. Hampshire, breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep originating in Hampshire, England.It is large and blocky and, as a superior mutton breed, is noted for its early maturity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. } Unlike the Suffolk, Hampshire sheep have some wool on their heads and legs and this breed should display a solid topknot of unbroken wool. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect(); The Old Hampshire, Berkshire Knot, Willshire Horn and Southdown sheep were believed by most writers to be the original broods found in and along the borders of Hampshire County. As one of the larger breeds, the Hampshire is easy to distinguish from Suffolks by their black legs and faces. However, read some more information about this sheep breed below. For over a century, U.S. breeders have bred and selected Hampshires to fill specific sheep industry needs. We are currently looking for high resolution pictures of any of the breeds. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; The staple length of the fleece will be 2 to 3.5 inches (5-9 cm… Their legs are also usually dark, with some wool present below the knees. They are mainly white in coloration. Who's Who in U.S. Sheep Breeds(poster), American Sheep Industry Assn., Inc.; 6911 S. Yosemite St.  Suite 200; Englewood, CO 80112-1414  Phone: (303) 771-3500 FAX: (303) 771-8200, [Sheep Breeds || Breeds of Livestock || Animal Science Home Page || Comment ]. --> The Hampshire sheep acquired its name from the agriculture county of Hampshire in Southern England where they were developed. Originating in the county of Hampshire in the south of England, Hampshire sheep are a combination of the Berkshire Knot, Southdown, Old Hampshire and Wiltshire Horn sheep breeds. In 1860 Hampshire sheep were introduced to the United States, but the breed disappeared during the Civil War and were not reintroduced until the 1880’s. if (rect.top <= 0){ Please add www.petworlds.net  to your ad blocking whitelist or disable your adblocking software. The Hampshire sheep are large sized animals with strong muscling and deep, blocky bodies. The Hampshire should show quality without weakness and size without coarseness. document.write('animal-science-mail-form'); It is recognized that the appearance of a sheep is important but only as it relates to maximum productivity, profits and breed characteristics. John Twynam, a Hampshire farmer, crossed his then-Hampshire flock with Cotswold rams around 1829. Mature ewes will average a six to ten pound (2.7-4.5 kg) fleece that has a micron measurement of 25.0 to 33.0 and a spinning count of 46-58. Their look is like the oxen of the sheep world. adElem.style.width = ''; College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. The Hampshire or Hampshire Down is a breed of sheep which originated around 1829 from a cross of Southdowns with the Old Hampshire breed, the Wiltshire Horn, and the Berkshire Nott, all horned, white-faced sheep — these were native to the open, untilled, hilly stretch of land known as the Hampshire Downs. Mr. John Twynam made a valuable contribution to the Hampshire Down through the use of an improved Cotswold ram and Mr. William Humphrey by the introduction of two of the largest and most outstanding Southdown rams. The Hampshire sheep acquired its name from the agriculture county of Hampshire in Southern England where they were developed. An unbroken wool cap … adElem.style.height = ''; We need money to operate the site, and almost all of it comes from our online advertising. The resultant half-bred rams were compact and blocky animals, and from around 1835 were sold into six or more of what were to become the first recognised pedigree Hampshire Down flocks in the United Kingdom. Mature rams should weigh 300 pounds or more and mature ewes should weigh 200 pounds or more in breeding condition. The Hampshire-Down evolved from the mingling of different strains of kindred blood from sheep in co-existence along the borders of Hampshire County. Hampshire Sheep Characteristics. Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science. adElem.style.width = rect.width + 'px'; var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad'); The Hampshire-Down evolved from the mingling of different strains of kindred blood from sheep in co-existence along the borders of Hampshire County. Required fields are marked *. Mr. John Twynam made a valuable contribution to the Hampshire Down through the use of an improved Cotswold ram and Mr. William Humphrey by the introduction of two of the largest and most outstanding Southdown rams. https://www.agriseek.com/sale/e/Livestock/Sheep/Hampshire/, http://www.hampshiredown.org.uk/sheep-for-sale/, http://www.countrylovin.com/wisehamps/sale.html, 7 Amazing Benefits of CBD for Pets That Every Pet Owner Should Know, Gifts for Dog Owners That Already Have Everything, How To Tame Your Pet Lizard: Have More Fun Safely, Other Name: Also known as Hampshire Down Sheep, Breed Purpose: Primarily raised for meat production. 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