Wiltshires almost always have twins, sometimes triplets, and occasionally quads. Unlike other breeds they have no trouble raising twins and rarely have trouble raising even triplets.
Read MoreWiltshires will shed around Spring time, when days are getting longer, but the exact timing depends on how warm it is and how good the feed is. Once shed, it stays on the ground for a few weeks until it either rots away or is used by birds for nests.
Read MoreWiltshires will grow their wool around Autumn when days are getting shorter, but the exact timing depends on how cold it is.
Read MoreThe lambs that result from crossbreeding with Wiltshires are of very good quality, no matter what other breed is used.
Read MoreWiltshire Horn ewes can live as long as 14 years, and a little less in rams. They can breed up to around 10 or 11 years if in good condition.
Read MoreLike other British breeds, Wiltshire Horns have a breeding season once a year, starting around March, with lambs being born around August. However, they almost always have twins.
Read MoreWiltshire Horns are quite different to other sheep breeds - they shed their wool (and not many sheep do that) and have horns in both rams and ewes (and not many other breeds do), so they often don't look like some other sheep breeds.
Read MoreWiltshire Horn behaviour is generally similar to other sheep. However, they are less strongly flocking, preferring to graze in ones or twos during the day, and then come together with the rest of the flock at night. They are difficult to work with dogs, but very easy to train to come when called (especially easily trained with food!). They don't panic like Merinos.
Read MoreWiltshire Horns are described as 'easy care' as their needs are incredibly low-maintenance relative to other sheep breeds.
They need to be vaccinated, drenched for worms (where worms are a problem) and they can get health problems like any other animal. However the labor (and problems) associated with wool is unnecessary - no shearing, crutching, certainly no mulesing, no dipping for blowfly or lice treatment. In terms of the husbandry needed, they are more like cattle or horses than Merinos.
Read MoreWiltshire Horns are available in every state except the Northern Territory. They seem to have a much greater tolerance for a range of conditions than other sheep, being found from southern Queensland to southern Tasmania, and from coastal NSW to saltbush country, and from Kangaroo Island to south west WA.
Read MoreThey will certainly eat juicy weeds such as cape weed, sorrel, dandelion. They will nibble at briars. They won't eat thistles or blackberry or other noxious weeds. Like all animals they prefer good pasture to poor pasture, and good grass to weeds.
Read MoreThey are finding a lot of use in association with orchards and vineyards.
Read MoreThey have considerable potential. Unlike other sheep, no chemicals need to be used externally, and by careful breeding, paddock rotation, and possibly the use of organic drenches, it would be possible to be completely chemical free.
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