Buyer question
Are East Friesian sheep good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the East Friesian sheep 3 out of 5 for beginners (dairy work is daily).
Source: the East Friesian sheep page in the Everybarn Animal Library. East Friesian sheep in the Animal Library
The detail
East Friesians are dairy sheep from northern Germany, among the highest-producing milk sheep in the world. They have a thin, bare "rat tail" and are often crossed with hardier breeds for sheep dairies in North America.
- Temperament
- Gentle, people-friendly
- Best fit
- Sheep dairies, crossbreeding
- Docility
- 5 out of 5 (Very gentle)
- Hardiness
- 2 out of 5 (Sensitive to heat)
What to weigh
Purebred East Friesians do poorly in hot, humid climates and under rough conditions, which is why many dairies use crosses. Milking ewes need twice-daily milking and rich feed.