Buyer question
Are Suffolk sheep good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Suffolk sheep 3 out of 5 for beginners (big, fast growers).
Source: the Suffolk sheep page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Suffolk sheep in the Animal Library
The detail
Suffolks come from England and are a large, fast-growing meat breed with a black face and legs. In the US they are the classic terminal sire for market lambs and show wethers, used across most commercial flocks.
- Temperament
- Calm
- Best fit
- Market lambs, show
- Docility
- 4 out of 5 (Calm and easy)
- Hardiness
- 3 out of 5 (Needs good feed)
What to weigh
Suffolks need more feed than smaller breeds, and ewes can have lambing trouble. Show lines can carry spider lamb syndrome, so ask about testing.