Zwartbles sheep are an extremely rare breed of domestic sheep originating from the Friesland region in the north of the Netherlands.
It has traditionally been used for meat and milk production in its region of origin. And these animals drastically decreased in use until they were listed as extremely rare by the Dutch Rare Breeds Survival Foundation in the mid-1970s.
Zwartbles sheep were often bred alongside herds of dairy cows in the Netherlands. Zwartbles were first imported to the UK in the early 1990s and in 1995 the British Zwartbles Sheep Association was formed.
These animals have easily adapted to the UK climate and can thrive at different altitudes. Their popularity continues to grow among smallholders and commercial farmers.
Zwartbles rams are also crossed with other breeds of sheep in the UK to produce meat lambs. The lambs resulting from these crosses are always black, but sometimes with white spots on the head.
Rams and ewes generally interbreed well with other breeds. However, for more information on this breed, read below.
Characteristics of the origin of Zwartbles sheep
Zwartbles sheep are relatively larger animals with a striking appearance. They have black or brown fur and a white patch on their face.
They have 2-4 white socks, a white tail tip which is traditionally left loose. They have no horns and rams and sheep are polled.
They have a dense black to brown fleece with sun-bleached tips, and silvering may be present in older animals.
The wool of Zwartbles sheep is medium to fine with excellent puckering.
The average live weight of sexually mature Zwartbles sheep as a large breed is around 100 kg. And sexually mature sheep weigh about 85 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
Zwartbles sheep are used for milk production as well as lamb and mutton.
Special Notes
Zwartbles sheep are very hardy and strong animals. They are well known and recognized for their obedience, milk, friendliness, ease of lambing and excellent mothers.
They are well adapted to the cold, wet and harsh North Frisian winters in their home country of the Netherlands. They are very easy to handle and love attention.
They produce very lean and sweet meat and have a very good live weight to meat ratio. See the complete profile of this breed in the table below.
| Breed name | black flame |
| another name | everything |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat, milk |
| Special Notes | Very rustic and strong, well known and recognized for their obedience, their milk, their kindness, their ease of lambing, the ewes are excellent mothers, easy to handle, love attention, very lean and sweet meat. |
| Breed size | big |
| The weight | From 85 to 100 kg |
| horns | Interviewed |
| climatic tolerance | native climate |
| Color | Black or brown |
| scarcity | Ordinary parts |
| Country/place of origin | Netherlands |
