Meet our sheep

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Lawrence Alderson developed the British Milksheep to meet the rising demand for a high-performance crossing sire. This initiative started in the early 1960s, initially in Wiltshire and later in Northumberland. By 1980, the breed was well-established, thanks to exceptional foundation animals whose milk yield matched their prolificacy. From that point on, the breed attracted the attention of other flock masters aiming to boost their flocks' productivity. 

The British Milksheep was developed to provide a superior crossing sire, producing high-performance crossbred daughters. These daughters achieve high lambing yields (200+%) and have a good milk yield to support their lambs, including triplets. Additionally, the purebred British Milksheep ewe, although not originally developed for this purpose, is used as a dairying ewe. These robust ewes yield between 150 to 400+ litres per lactation, with an average of 250 litres over a 180-200 day lactation period and six lactations per ewe.

Mature ewes of the British Milksheep breed average crop rates of 307%, shearling ewes 263%, and ewe lambs 221%. They are known for easy lambing, with vigorous and active lambs at birth. Triplet litters typically weigh between 4 to 5 kg per lamb, while twins weigh between 5 to 6 kg per lamb.

Triplets reared on the ewe without assistance gain about 0.3 kg per day, reaching an average weight of 19 kg by 50 days. Twins, when reared, achieve 50-day weights of 24 kg per lamb. The ewes are very attentive mothers.

The breed is robust and active, capable of wintering outside in harsh weather conditions, except for ewes at lambing. They are well-established in Canada and Hungary. Rams exhibit great libido throughout most of the year, and the ewes have a quiet temperament and strong maternal instincts, making them easy to manage. 

easy to handle, calm