East Friesian

Sheep · Dairy · 0 live listings

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.

At a glance

Purpose
Dairy
Origin
East Friesland, Germany
Mature weight
Ewes 150–200 lb
Lifespan
8–10 years
Temperament
Gentle, people-friendly
Best fit
Sheep dairies, crossbreeding
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Dairy
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityVery gentle
HardinessSensitive to heat
Fleece workAnnual shearing
Beginner fitDairy work is daily

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

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.

Common questions

How much milk does an East Friesian give?

Well-fed ewes can give 1,000 pounds or more in a lactation, far above meat breeds. Crosses give less but are hardier.

What health tests should they have?

Ask for OPP, CL and Johne's results for the flock, and check that each sheep carries official scrapie ID. Codon 171 scrapie genotype (RR is resistant) is worth asking for on breeding rams.

Purebred or cross for a small dairy?

Many small dairies choose East Friesian crosses for hardiness in heat and on pasture. Purebreds do best in cooler climates with excellent feed.

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Health tests to ask for
Veterinary exam on fileScrapie genotypeOPP negativeJohne's negativeCL (caseous lymphadenitis) negativeCD&T currentDNA parentage verifiedOfficial scrapie ID recorded

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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East Friesian · Everybarn