The Leicester Blue Sheep is a domestic sheep breed originating from the United Kingdom. It was developed from a breeding scheme by Robert Bakewell in Dishley, Leicestershire in the 19th century.
The breed was first known as the Dishley Lesterso what Hexham Leicester. The name Bluefaced Leicester became known in the early 20th century. It is also known as blue-faced maine and blue headed man.
Blue-faced Leicester sheep were exported to Canada in the 1970s. Today, the breed is bred for both meat and milk production. Their fleece is becoming increasingly popular for hand spinning.
Today, the breed is mainly found in northern England, Wales and Scotland. Learn more about this breed of British sheep below.
Characteristics of the Leicester Blue Sheep
Blue-faced Leicester sheep are large animals. They are mostly white in color with a blue face.
These animals are easily recognized by their Roman noses with deep blue skin that can be seen through their white hairs. And the breed is named so mainly because of the muzzle.
The average body size of blue-faced Leicester sheep is about 90 cm at the withers and about 85 cm in ewes.
The average live weight of sexually mature rams is about 110 kg. And sexually mature sheep weigh an average of about 89 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
These sheep are dual purpose animals. They are bred for meat production and wool production.
Special Notes
Leicester blue sheep are hardy and strong animals. They are well adapted to the local climate.
They have a curly, fine and rather shiny coat – one of the softest of British barrettes. Their fleece is not very heavy, weighing only 1-3 kg.
Their head and neck are usually not covered with hair. Their coat pattern and shape most resembles that of Wensleydale sheep, but have smaller, tighter curls.
To produce mules, blue-faced Leicester sheep are planted on hill sheep, which combine the fertility of blue-faced Leicester sheep with the hardiness and maternal ability of mountain sheep.
The sheep are very prolific, with an average lambing percentage ranging from 220-250%. However, check out the full profile of this breed in the following table.
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| Breed name | Blue-faced Leicester |
| Other names | Dishley Lester, Hexham Lester, Bluehead Maine, Bluehead Maine |
| Purpose of the breed | Dual purpose (meat and wool) |
| Special Notes | The large animals, very hardy and strong, well adapted to their natural climate, have a curly, fine, rather shiny coat, the wool is not very heavy, the sheep are very prolific, the average lambing percentage varies from 220 250 percent suitable for meat and wool production |
| Breed size | big |
| The weight | The average body weight of an adult ram is around 110 kg and the average live weight of an adult ram is around 89 kg. |
| horns | Not |
| climatic tolerance | native climate |
| Color | White |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | UK |
