Shropshire

Sheep · Meat · 0 live listings

Shropshires are a Down breed from the English Midlands with a dark face and wool on the face and legs. They are medium-sized dual-purpose sheep, calm and easy to manage, and are known in the UK for grazing under conifer and orchard trees.

At a glance

Purpose
Meat and wool
Origin
Shropshire, England
Mature weight
Ewes 150–190 lb
Lifespan
10–12 years
Temperament
Calm, easy to handle
Best fit
Small farms, orchards
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Meat
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityCalm and easy
HardinessAdaptable
Fleece workAnnual shearing
Beginner fitGood first flock

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

The tradeoffs, honestly

Shropshires are known to be sensitive to copper toxicity, so feed and minerals must be sheep-specific. Heavy face wool on older lines can block vision.

Common questions

Can Shropshires graze orchards?

Many keepers use them there, and UK growers graze them in conifer plantations. Watch fruit trees and bark closely, since any sheep can nibble.

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.

Are Shropshires sensitive to copper?

Yes, more than most breeds. Avoid cattle and goat minerals and feeds with added copper, and ask the breeder what they feed.

Market, past 90 daysFull index →
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Typical rangeNot enough sales yet for a rangeLive listings0
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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Shropshire · Everybarn