Romney Sheep Pros and Cons, Facts, Origin, Uses

The Romney sheep is a long wool sheep native to the Romney Marsh district in southeast England, where it was established during the thirteenth century in the low, moist climatic condition.  Due to its geographic isolation from the rest of the country, the Romney grew independently and adjusted well to its moist and occasionally harsh climate. In 1853, it was transported to New Zealand, where it thrived and eventually became the prevalent breed. The Romney has grown popular in the rainy coastal areas of British Columbia, Canada, due to its innate tolerance to footrot and parasitic infections.

The lambs are tall and slim, and they quickly convert feed. They are gentle and easy to handle but when mingled with other breeds and commercial sheep, they do not perform well. Romney wool is highly sought after by hand spinners who are willing to pay a premium for quality fleeces.

Romney Sheep Pros

Romney sheep breed is a very hardy breed that is well adjusted to the native environment and has resilience against various diseases like parasite infections, viral infections, and environmental associated illnesses. It is a very profitable breed for medium to large size farmland owners. 

Romney Sheep Cons

Overall Romney sheep breed is very profitable with few exceptions like it grows slowly and requires enough feed to have a good muscle to bone ratio. Furthermore, it is not a suitable breed for small size farms.  

Romney Sheep Facts

Fully grown Rams weigh approximately 90-100kg while young healthy ewes weigh around 65-80kg. The lambing percentage of Romney sheep is 175%. Their fleece is of medium length with a coarse texture and lustrous white appearance. The average weight of fleece is 4.5kg with a staple length of 15-20cm and a micron count of 31-36.

Romney Sheep Origin

The Romney gets its name from a marshy location in Kent, England. Its origin can be traced back to the old, well-established dual intent Romney Marsh breed, which was enhanced in the 19th century with Leicester blood. The Kent countryside is plentiful with lush fodder, despite being blown by fierce winds and high rains. The Romney breed has developed certain distinct traits as a result of climatic and geographical conditions. Hooves that resist footrot and fleeces that stay healthy in extreme conditions are among the advantages.

Romney Sheep Uses

Romney sheep breed is a dual intent breed that is mainly used for meat and wool production. It produces good quality fleece with medium length and has an average weight of 4-6kg. Though the Romney sheep breed is a slowly growing breed, it produces very premium quality meat with some natural flavor and taste.