Buyer question
Are Oxford sheep good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Oxford sheep 3 out of 5 for beginners (big, fast growers).
Source: the Oxford sheep page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Oxford sheep in the Animal Library
The detail
Oxfords were developed in Oxfordshire, England, in the 1830s from Cotswold and Hampshire sheep. They are the largest of the Down breeds, with a brown face and wool topknot, and are used as terminal sires for heavy, fast-growing lambs.
- Temperament
- Docile
- Best fit
- Market lambs, show
- Docility
- 5 out of 5 (Very docile)
- Hardiness
- 3 out of 5 (Needs good feed)
What to weigh
Oxfords are large and need good pasture and feed. Their size can make handling and lambing harder than with smaller breeds.