Darnit Char’s ICELANDIC SHEEP Icelandic Sheep An Ancient Breed for a Modern Age Through the centuries these sheep have been used for Fiber, Meat, and Milk Production. There is a wealth of folklore and culture based on Icelandic Sheep. The Icelandic Breed has been in Canada since 1985, and in the United States since 1992. It is fastly gaining popularity and recognition for the hardiness, versatility, beauty, productivity and it’s abiliity to thrive and grass and hay alone. Our sheep are purebred and registered through the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation. We are also enrolled in the U.S.D.A. Voluntary Scrapie Eradication Program. 2421 Tyler Rd. Kalkaska, Michigan 49646 231-258-4604 www.darnitchars.com [email protected] HISTORY OF THE ICELANDIC SHEEP EWES ARE SEASONAL BREEDERS The Icelandic sheep is one of the words oldest Beginning to come into heat in late October. They will and purists breeds of sheep. They were first continue cycling until May if not bred. They seldom brought to Iceland between 874 A.D. and 1100 breed naturally through the summer. A.D. by the Vikings. Rams appear to be sexually active year around. The They adapted well to the harsh weather lambs reach sexual maturity early. Ewes commonly conditions and thrived on the sparse grasses lambing at 11-12 months of age. Ram lambs can start and seaweed of the rough and rocky terrain. breeding at 7-8 months of age. The Vikings were well known for their ability to TEMPERAMENT survive the harsh Scandinavian climates. So it is Icelandic sheep are very individualistic and don’t have easy to see why the Icelandic sheep may have a strong flocking instinct. They spread out and make been praised above all other livestock. good use of sparse pastures. They are good browsers This unique breed of sheep met the many and enjoy eating brush and wild grass. However, when needs of these ancient people, serving as a source of meat, and milk (used in cheese threatened by a coyotes presence they will come home production in Iceland for many centuries). Pelts were used for clothing, and the wool was used form pastures in groups. in felt making which dates back to these ancient times, well before the discovery of weaving. They have the kind of intellect that is often found in the wild and primitive domestic animals. Both Ewes and Rams can be polled or horned. Horns were used for buttons, tools, weapons Different personalities develop in these sheep. Some are really friendly, some are shy and and etc. Ewes are very prolific with twins being normal stand-offish. However, if they get a lot of attention they can become pets. and triples not uncommon with remarkable longevity. You can see why the Icelandic sheep was valued A SHEEP OF A DIFFERENT COLOR among an ancient people. The most eye catching aspects of these sheep is the incredible variation of colors in the _____________________________________ breed. Seventeen colors and patterns include snow white, black, cream, taupe, browns (called PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Morrit) in all shades, badger faces, mouflon (one of the most primitive color patterns in Icelandic sheep) and all shades of gray. Icelandic sheep have both polled & horned individuals of both sexes. WOOL PRODUCTION Icelandic sheep are well known around the world for their wool. Wool is a Dual Coated. The MEDIUM SIZE fine super soft undercoat is called “thel” and long coarse cork screwy outer coat is called Mature Ewes weighing 132-160 pounds. “tog.” All breeds of sheep have both primary and secondary follicles, but in most breeds there Rams weigh 198-220 pounds. is no difference between the fiber coming from the two types. The fiber coming from the primary follicles of Iclandic sheep is not Kemp, but true wool. The NATURALLY SHORT TAIL Fleeces are open and not very greasy. Icelandic fleece has only a 29% shrink compared to 50% Eliminating the need for docking. in modern breeds. This means that a six pound Iclandic fleece will yield the same amount of fiber as a 8.5 pound fleece from a modern commercial breed. Lambs are born small which is understandable The average fleece weighs 4-7 pounds. The lustrous wool of Icelandic sheep is a delight to since the normal gestation is 142 days, 5 days hand spin. The two coats can be separated fairly easily. The thel is very soft and irregularly shorter than the average North American breed. crimped. The tog is similar to mohair, Lambs are incredibly vigorous, getting on their wavy or cork screwy rather than feet within minutes of birth and nursing. Usually crimped and is wonderful in worsted the first of twins has nursed before the second spinning. The two coats can also be one is born. spun without separating. Healthy Ewes will improve their production The versatility of the wool, ease every year until they are about five years old, of spinning and the incredible color when they reach a plateau that will last four to five variations make this wool a hand more years. By which time production should be spinners delight. The wool is also one expected to diminish. Since they thrive on grass of the best wool for felting, and ancient and hay alone, graining is not necessary. craft fast becoming popular worldwide..