Sheep are one of the oldest domesticated farm animals, valued for their wool, milk, and meat. In the UK, sheep farming is not just tradition it’s a way of life. Whether you’re looking to start a small flock in your back field or you’re managing hill sheep across acres of land, understanding their needs is key to healthy, happy animals.
Common Sheep Breeds in the UK
Here are some of the most popular breeds you’ll find across British farms and smallholdings:
| Breed | Purpose | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | Meat production | Large, fast growing, good carcass quality |
| Texel | Meat production | Muscular build, excellent growth rates, hardy |
| Dorset | Meat & milk | Can breed out of season, excellent mothers |
| Jacob | Wool & ornamental | Distinctive multi horned breed, hardy |
| Border Leicester | Wool & meat | Long lustrous wool, easy to manage |
| Herdwick | Hardy hill sheep | Suited to rough terrain, strong character, coarse wool |
| Shetland | Wool & small-scale farming | Fine wool, smaller size, ideal for beginners |
| Cheviot | Meat & wool | Very hardy, good mothering, upland breed |
| Charollais | Meat | Excellent lambing ease, rapid growth |
Feeding Sheep
Pasture grazing: Sheep thrive on grass and can turn rough grazing into good quality protein.
Winter feeding: Supplement with hay, silage, or haylage when grass is limited.
Lambs: May require creep feed (special high-protein pellets) to help them grow.
Pregnant ewes: Extra concentrates (grains and pellets) are needed in late pregnancy and lactation.
Minerals: Sheep need access to mineral blocks or salt licks, especially for selenium, copper (in small doses), and cobalt.
Tip: Sheep are prone to bloating if fed lush clover or too many concentrates balance is key.
Housing & Fencing
Shelter: Sheep don’t need luxury, but protection from driving rain, cold winds, and scorching sun is essential. A three sided field shelter is often enough.
Lambing pens: In late winter/early spring, indoor lambing sheds provide warmth and a safe space for ewe and lamb bonding.
Fencing: Strong stock fencing is essential sheep are escape artists. Electric fencing can be useful for rotational grazing.
Space: Overcrowding leads to stress and disease. Allow plenty of grazing land (at least half an acre per 4–6 sheep as a rule of thumb).
Healthcare & Management
Shearing: Most sheep need shearing once a year, usually late spring to early summer.
Hoof care: Hooves should be checked and trimmed regularly to prevent foot rot.
Parasite control: Worming, flystrike prevention, and vaccination schedules should be followed carefully.
Lambing: Requires close supervision, especially for first-time ewes.
Routine checks: Monitor body condition, eyes, fleece, and mobility. Early detection of issues like mastitis or lameness makes a huge difference.
Behaviour & Social Needs
Sheep are flock animals and should never be kept alone. A minimum of 3–4 sheep is recommended.
They have strong social bonds and rely on flock safety to reduce stress.
Sheep can learn routines and recognise human handlers, becoming surprisingly tame with regular care.
Seasonal Sheep Care Checklist
Spring: Lambing season, worming, hoof checks.
Summer: Shearing, flystrike prevention, parasite control.
Autumn: Weaning lambs, preparing for tupping (breeding).
Winter: Provide shelter, hay/silage, and extra feeding for pregnant ewes.
Final Thoughts
Sheep are fascinating, social animals that bring life to the fields and provide valuable resources in return. With the right care from grazing and shelter to shearing and lambing they can thrive in all conditions. For farmers and smallholders alike, raising sheep is both a challenge and a joy, rooted deeply in rural tradition.
