Meat sheep (also known as terminal breeds) are bred primarily for high-quality meat production, especially lamb. These breeds are selected for traits like rapid growth, muscle development, and good carcass yield. They’re often used in crossbreeding to improve meat traits in lambs.
🔹 Key Traits of Meat Sheep
- Fast growth rate
- Heavy muscling
- High feed conversion efficiency
- Excellent carcass quality
- Often have less desirable wool (or are hair sheep)
🐏 Top Meat Sheep Breeds
1. Suffolk (UK)
- One of the most popular meat sheep globally
- Traits: Fast growth, large frame, excellent carcass
- Appearance: Black face and legs, white wool body
2. Texel (Netherlands)
- Known for outstanding muscle and leanness
- Traits: Compact, very muscular, great feed efficiency
- Appearance: White face, wool-covered body, short ears
3. Hampshire (UK)
- Another heavyweight in lamb production
- Traits: Vigorous lambs, large frame, good mothers
- Appearance: Black face with a wool cap
4. Charollais (France)
- Popular in Europe for crossbreeding
- Traits: High lambing percentages, fast growth
- Appearance: White face, wool-free head
5. Dorset (UK)
- Known for out-of-season breeding and lambing ease
- Traits: Good mothers, fast-growing lambs
- Dual-purpose: Also offers decent wool
6. Shropshire (UK)
- Medium-size breed, calm temperament
- Traits: Efficient grazers, good meat quality
- Appearance: Dark face with wool cap and wooly legs
🐑 Hair Meat Sheep (No Shearing Needed)
Hair sheep are also popular for meat, especially in hot climates. They don’t need shearing and are parasite-resistant.
7. Dorper (South Africa)
- Meat-focused hair breed
- Traits: Hardy, adaptable, fast-growing lambs
- Appearance: White body with black or white head
8. Katahdin (USA)
- Well-adapted to pasture systems
- Traits: Parasite-resistant, good mothers, no wool
- Appearance: Variable colors, short hair coat
🌍 Where Meat Sheep Excel
- USA: Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorper are dominant
- UK: Suffolk and Texel for prime lamb
- Australia & NZ: Crossbreds for meat and wool
- Africa & Caribbean: Hair sheep like Dorper, Katahdin
Would you like help choosing a meat sheep breed based on your location or farming goals?