Rough Fell sheep

The Rough Fell sheep is a dual-purpose commercial breed, valued for its meat and wool.

It is also an upland breed, suited to high, rugged areas with poor-quality grazing.

Its origins trace back to a sheep known as the ‘black-faced heath breed,’ which was referenced in William Youatt’s Mountain Shepherds Manual in 1837 and 1883.

This ancestry links the Rough Fell to related breeds such as the Scottish Blackface, Swaledale, Dalesbred, and Lonk.

The breed was originally called the ‘Kendal or Middleton Rough Fell’ because it developed on the rough fells near Kendal, a town in Cumbria, northwest England.

Characteristics

Colors

The color of this sheep’s fleece is white.

The face is black with white markings, which appear on the muzzle and around the eyes.

The legs also follow the same pattern, mostly white with black markings. These markings can vary in pattern but are often seen as patches or spots along the legs, complementing the black-and-white coloration of the face.

Head, Face, Eyes

The head is strong and broad, well-proportioned to its body, while the face, with its distinctive markings and bright eyes, is highly expressive.

This characteristic head shape and facial coloring are key identifiers of this breed.

Horns

Rough Fell is a horned breed of sheep.

Both rams and ewes possess strong, well-formed horns that are robust and curved, growing outward and sweeping gracefully backward.

The horns of a Rough Fell ram are typically larger and more prominent than those of a ewe.

Rams’ horns are thicker, more robust, and often exhibit a more pronounced curve, making them a striking feature of the breed.

In contrast, ewes have horns that are smaller, finer, and less pronounced, though still well-formed and characteristic of the breed.

Body

The body of an ewe is well-proportioned, with a strong, compact frame. Ewes tend to have a slightly smaller and more refined build compared to rams, but they are still robust and muscular, with good depth and width across the chest and a well-rounded hindquarter.

The body of a ram is noticeably larger and more muscular than that of the ewe, with a broad chest, powerful shoulders, and a stocky, solid build. Rams display a sense of strength and dominance.

Legs

The legs are strong and sturdy, helping them walk easily on rough and rocky ground.

They are medium length, not very long or tall, but just the right size to match their body. The legs are also well-shaped and firm, making them good for climbing hills and moving around tough places.

Fleece

The fleece of this sheep is long and durable.

The staple length of the fleece ranges from 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches), allowing for versatility in processing.

It can grow quite long if left unshorn, as the breed is known for producing a dense and abundant fleece.

The wool has a fiber diameter of approximately 36 to 40 microns, which categorizes it as coarse.

Size

This sheep is a medium-to-large-sized breed.

Rams have a height ranging from 31 to 35 inches (79 to 89 cm), while females range from 27 to 30 inches (69 to 76 cm). Their average body length is between 47 to 51 inches (119 to 130 cm).

At birth, the lamb can weigh 11 lbs (5 kg), while in the case of twins, the weight is even lower, at 6.6 to 7.7 lbs (3 to 3.5 kg) each.

Lifespan

A Rough Fell sheep can live for 10 to 15 years.

This long lifespan places it alongside other long-lived breeds, such as the Hebridean and Jacob sheep.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

The growth rate of this sheep breed is moderate.

While they grow well in harsh upland conditions, their growth rate may be slower compared to lowland breeds typically raised on nutrient-rich pastures.

Growth rates can be improved with better feeding and management practices, but they are not as fast-growing as specialized meat breeds such as Texel or Suffolk.

Weight

A mature ewe weighs around 150 lbs (70 kg), while a mature ram can weigh up to 200 lbs (90 kg).

Slaughtered Time

These sheep can be ready for slaughter at around 16 to 19 months of age.

You can also use the live weight of a sheep to determine if it has reached the slaughter stage, but this depends on how much meat yield you aim to produce.

Most sheep are slaughtered at a live weight of 83.8 to 99.2 lbs (38 to 45 kg), which gives an average carcass yield of 50%, meaning 41.9 to 49.6 lbs (19 to 22.5 kg).

Temperament

Sheep have a calm and hardy temperament. They are known for being docile and easy to manage, making them suitable for farmers who work in rough and hilly areas.

These sheep are also very independent, good grazers, and excellent at taking care of themselves, even in poor weather or on challenging terrain.

They are social animals and tend to stay together in flocks, which helps them feel safe. Although they are calm, they can be a little wary of strangers, especially in new environments.

Overall, Rough Fell sheep are resilient, hard-working, and easy to handle with regular care and attention.

Shearing

You need to shear this breed once per year, usually in late spring or early summer.

This helps maintain the sheep’s health and hygiene, as overgrown wool can trap dirt and parasites. Proper handling during shearing is important to avoid stress or injury. Professional shearers can complete the process efficiently and safely.

Meat

The meat of Rough Fell sheep is known for its rich, robust flavor, which is more pronounced than that of commercially farmed lowland breeds.

Its unique taste is often compared to wild game, thanks to the sheep’s natural rearing and the diverse forage found in upland areas.

The meat is lean and tender, a reflection of the sheep’s active lifestyle on hills and rough terrain.

As a specialty product, it is highly valued by chefs and consumers seeking a distinctive and natural culinary experience.

Wool

The fleece of this breed has a harsh to medium texture, making it less suitable for fine garments but ideal for robust applications. The wool has a grade quality of 32 to 36 microns, classifying it as coarse wool. This coarseness provides strength and durability, which are valuable for specific manufacturing purposes.

The average fleece weight for ewes is approximately 5.95 lbs (2.7 kg). Tups produce heavier fleeces, with weights ranging from 7.9 to 14 lbs (3.6 to 6.35 kg), reflecting their larger size and greater wool yield.

A significant portion of Rough Fell wool is exported to Italy and France, where it is primarily used in mattress production. Within the UK, the wool is mainly utilized for carpet yarns, thanks to its coarse texture and resilience.

Raising

Feeding

Their diet can be based on grass, heather, and other natural vegetation commonly found in upland areas.

They are excellent foragers and can sustain themselves on low-quality forage, which many other breeds struggle with. During the warmer months, they can typically live entirely off pasture.

In colder months, when grass growth is minimal, it is important to provide hay or silage to ensure adequate nutrition.

Ewes, especially during late pregnancy or lactation, require additional energy and protein. Providing concentrates or high-quality forage during these times is essential to meet their increased nutritional needs.

In areas with overgrazing, drought, or limited pasture, supplements such as feed blocks, grain, or protein-rich pellets may be necessary to maintain their health and productivity.

Additionally, access to clean, fresh water is crucial at all times, along with free access to mineral licks or blocks to ensure they receive essential vitamins and minerals.

Environment

This sheep breed lives comfortably in free-ranging environments. They do well in upland and rough terrains, grazing on natural vegetation.

Climate

These sheep tolerate cold weather exceptionally well, making them suitable for regions with long winters and low temperatures.

Harsh, windy, and wet conditions from mountainous or upland areas are not an issue for them.

While they excel in cold climates, they also do well in areas with moderate summers, as long as they have access to ample grazing and water.

Shelter

Because of their durable and weather-resistant fleece, these sheep do not require housing, even in the most severe weather conditions.

How many sheep per acre?

On poorer-quality or marginal grazing land, you can raise 2 to 4 sheep per acre. On rich, well-maintained pasture with good grass growth, you can stock 7 to 10 sheep per acre.

You can also consider the following:

• Supplementation: If you provide supplemental feed, the stocking rate can increase slightly.
• Rotational Grazing: Implementing rotational grazing can help maintain pasture quality and support higher stocking densities.
• Lambing and Ewes: Ewes with lambs may require additional space to ensure adequate grazing and minimize stress.

Breeding

These sheep are seasonal breeders and are typically bred in autumn.

This results in lambing during the spring, which aligns with the natural availability of fresh grass for nursing ewes and growing lambs.

You can start breeding Rough Fell sheep at 10 to 13 months, even though they reach sexual maturity around 6 to 7 months.

The gestation period is approximately 145-155 days (about 5 months) after mating.

They can produce either a single lamb or twins, though twins are relatively common in well-managed flocks. The likelihood of twins depends on the ewe’s age, nutrition, and overall health.

One ram can service 60-90 ewes per breeding season, ensuring high fertility rates when the ewes are in heat.

Rough Fell sheep have a working life of approximately 6 years, during which they can produce lambs annually, provided they remain healthy and productive.

Health Issues

They are hardy and resilient, well-adapted to challenging environments, and less prone to some health issues compared to more delicate breeds.

Why should you raise these sheep

If you live in a harsh climate and are looking for a low-maintenance sheep breed that requires minimal attention, they are an excellent choice.

They are highly resilient and can thrive independently, even in challenging weather conditions, making them an ideal option for farmers seeking hardy, self-sufficient livestock.

Advantages

• Adaptable to harsh climates.
• Excellent foragers, able to utilize low-quality forage.
• Do not require shelter.
• Ewes are attentive mothers with good milk production.
• Produces coarse, strong wool used for carpets and mattresses.
• Ewes typically have a productive working life.
• Strong resistance to stress and environmental challenges

Disadvantages

• Slower growth rate compared to specialized meat breeds.
• Breeding is limited to autumn.
• Not as widely available or popular as some mainstream breeds.