Suffolk are a black-faced, open-faced breed of sheep.
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Uses
They are primarily raised for meat production especially when crossed with the progeny of a mountain ewe. For example, a Welsh Mountain Ewe might be bread with a Blue Faced Leicester Ram. This would give a Welsh Mule. The lambs of a Welsh Mountain Ewe crossed with a Suffolk (as well as with other Terminal Sire breeds such as Texel, Beltex or Charollais) is considered ideal for meat production since they have unusually good dispositions. The suffolk breed is also more resistant to elf fire, a disease brought on by eating, among others, the bog asphodel. Sunlight worsen the condition and the black head and ears of the suffolk limit sunlight down to the otherwise exposed skin.[1]
Origin
Suffolks were originally developed in England as the result of crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes. The product of this cross was an improvement over both parent breeds.
See also
- Domestic sheep
- Guard llama, llamas used as livestock guardians.
- Sheep shearing
- Wool
References
- ^ George B. B. Mitchell, 'Non-parasitic skin diseases of sheep' In Pract., Vol. 10, Issue 2, 69-73, March 1, 1988
