Gestrike sheep
Gestrike sheep originally come from Mörtebo in northern Gästrikland, and used to be common in the areas of Mörtebo, Lingbo and Järbo.
The breed is part of a group of sheep known as Allmoge sheep, and have short tails. Gestrike sheep often become very tame and cuddly, and are easy to handle. They are also good at grazing, and are especially useful for mixed and forest grazing.
Gestrike sheep
Name: Gestrike sheep.
Native name: Gestrikefår.
Weight: 45 kg (ewes) and 60-70 kg (rams).
Wither height: Ewes are 65 cm on average. Rams are a little taller.
Appearance: Light grey, black, brown-ish, and they are often different colours and spotted. Some lambs are born black, others brownish or white, and sometimes the colour fades with increasing age.
Type: Short-tailed.
Wool: The wool is very variable but predominantly the sheep have tapestry wool or wool of the rya type, with long wavy guard hairs and dense underwool.
Horns: Both ewes and rams can either be horned or polled.
Type: Short-tailed.
Number of offspring: Normally two lambs, but 3-4 or one lamb can occur occasionally.
Number of breeding females in Sweden (2022): 283.
Not at Risk – Vulnerable – Endangered – Critically Endangered – Extinct
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