The Skudde sheep is a nordic breed of domestic sheep. It is actually from Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Switzerland. It is also called as Skudden, and raised for Landscape grazing, felting and meat production.
Original homeland of this breed was East Prussia and the Baltic States. But only a few small herds can be found in these areas today.
Currently total population of this breed is pretty less. There are approximately 150 animals in Austria, approximately 250 animals in Switzerland, and approximately 1000 animals are available in Germany.
And all these stocks can be traced back to a few individuals. Read some more information about this sheep breed below.
Skudde Sheep Characteristics
Skudde sheep is a small to medium sized animal. The color of these animals can vary, but most common colors are brown, black, gray and white.
Nowadays the white variety has small pigment spots on the head. They have fine wool fibers, dispersed with short and course fiber. Their body is relatively long and their tail is short.
Lambs usually will have dark red or rust colored markings on their nape of their neck and legs, and this coloring disappears in adults.
Most noticeable characteristics of the rams is the imposing snail horn. And the ewes are usually hornless or carry horn stumps.
The mature Skudde rams on average weight between 35 and 50 kg. And average live body weight of the mature ewes vary from 25 to 40 kg. Photo and info from ansi.okstate.edu and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Skudde sheep are multi-purpose animals. They are used for landscape grazing, felting and also for meat production.
Special Notes
The Skudde sheep are hardy and active animals. They are well suited for pasturing more barren areas. They come into heat throughout the year, and the lambs are born at any time of the year.
And 3 lambings are possible in two years. Meat of the Skudde sheep is of very good quality. The meat is held to be delicacy in circles of connoisseures.
Along with quality meat production, the breed is also very good for landscape grazing and felting. Review full breed profile of the Skudde sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Skudde |
| Other Name | Skudden |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, felting and landscape grazing |
| Special Notes | Very hardy animals, well suited for pasturing more barren areas, come into heat aseasonlly, 3 lambing possible in two years, very good quality meat |
| Breed Size | Small to medium |
| Weight | Mature rams weight between 35 and 50 kg, and weight of the mature ewes vary from 25 to 40 kg |
| Horns | Rams have large spiral horns, and the ewes may be polled |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Color | Black, brown, gray and white |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Lithunia, Switzerland |
