The Easy Care Sheep is a relatively modern breed of sheep which was developed by Iolo Owen of Anglesey in the 1960's. The Easycare sheep is a cross between the Wiltshire Horn and the Welsh Mountain sheep breeds. They require minimal shepherding and veterinary care, shed their fleece in the summer, do not need shearing and yet offer excellent meat yields and lambing ratios. The fleece is kempy, leaving a dense hair covered in lanolin. The shed fleece rapidly decomposes as a natural soil conditioner. The breed seldom succumbs to heat stress yet the dense nature of their fleece means they can withstand harsh weather.
The ewes seldom require assistance at lambing. They have strong maternal instincts, are milky and will rear their lambs without human intervention.
The breed is a well-established commercial sheep with flocks of 1,000's all over the UK, yet it is also an ideal sheep for the small holder. The rams can be used over other breeds to remove the wool. In three to four crosses the fleece should be shedding.
The breed is proving extremely popular and successful with breeders who use a pasture fed system. The Easy Care Sheep Society was formed to promote this wonderful breed and to ensure its continued development.
For more information on the breed go to www.easycaresheep.com