Manx Loaghtan Sheep raised mainly for meat and wool. The breed is one of the rare breeds of sheep originated in the Isle of Man. One of the multihorned sheep which have 2, 4 and sometimes even 6 horns.
Manx Loaghtan Sheep breed information
Manx Loaghtan breed medium to small-sized sheep that are multihorned.
Both ewes and rams are usually horned, sometimes having four or six horns.
The adult sheep are chocolate brown in color, whereas the lambs are black, slowly they change to the chocolate brown color in 6 to 8 months.
The adult Manx Loaghtan ram weighs 60 kg (130 lb) and ewe weighs 40 kg (88 lb).
The rams have unique strong horns.
The ewes are slow maturing which takes 18 months to breed.
Lambing is easy without any major problems.
The flavor of the meat increases when the sheep are slow maturing.
The wool is soft, lustrous and excellent for hand spinning. The staple length varies from 70 mm to 100 mm.
The wool is used to make outerwear which is usually in toffee color.
The breed is also a very good grazer, can be used for conservation grazing situations.
Things to know
Manx Loaghtan name has come from two Manx words describing the color — Lugh (mouse) and Dhoan (brown).
The Manx Loaghtan is one of the groups of Northern short-tailed primitive breeds that also includes the Soay and the Shetland amongst others.
Manx Loaghtan sheep on the watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
A terminal sire on a Manx Loaghtan ewe will produce a good commercial lamb that will grade well.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has helped Manx Loaghtan sheep from near extinction 3 times.
Brief characteristics of Manx Loaghtan Sheep
| Breed Name | Manx Loaghtan Sheep |
| Other Name | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Isle of Man |
| Breed Purposeamerica | wool and meat |
| Breed Size | medium |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 60 kg (130 lb) |
| Ewe(Female) | 40 kg (88 lb) |
| Kidding | single or twins |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing |
| Climate Tolerance | local conditions |
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