Finnsheep - A northern speciality

Finnsheep is the original Finnish sheep breed that has adapted to the hard Nordic climate over several thousand years. It is an integral part of Finnish history, culture and identity. Breeding has been carried out on a systematic basis only from the last century. The breed is also a key element of national conservation measures for farm animal genetic resources in Finland.

Excellent fertility
The Finnsheep is held to be one of the most fertile sheep breeds of the world. It can produce lambs throughout the year and averages almost 3 lambs per lambing, but even 4 - 6 lambs are relatively common. Lambing difficulties occur relatively seldom on account of the advantageous shape of the head. The mating capacity of the rams is also extraordinary, a ram often managing to serve a herd of up to 50 ewes. The ewes have excellent mothering instincts, sufficient milk production and the breed can be fed on pastures and with farm-produced fodder such that concentrates are not needed.

Good slaughter results
Lambs are ready for slaughter and marketing at six months and give a tender and fine-textured meat with a mild taste. Fat is deposited in the carcass mainly around the internal organs and thus can be easily removed at slaughter so that carcasses are very lean.

Individuals of this breed can reach 100 kg live weight for ewes and around 120 kg for rams (average 70-75 kg and 100 kg respectively). Finnsheep have a friendly and docile disposition, are easy to handle and are curious and ‘social’ in their behavior. Individuals are normally hornless but a small proportion of the rams can have horns.

Numbers and exports
There are consistently just below 9 500 ewes registered in the herd book. Export of Finnsheep has been extensive (to more than 40 countries), mainly based upon the excellent characteristics of the breed, and it is used in crossings both as a sire and a dam.

Wool from Finnsheep is lustrous and highly crimped and elastic. Wool colour varies, occurring as white (approx. 65%), brown (10%), black (20%) and grey (5%). The wool works excellently for knitwear and felting. The grey type is termed the 'Grey sheep of Kainuu' and it is genetically differentiated from the rest of the Finnsheep population.

Photo by: Juha Kantanen