Romney Sheep: Hardy Longwool for Wet Ground

The Romney is a longwool sheep from the wet Romney Marsh in Kent, England. Homesteaders keep it for a heavy, lustrous fleece and a calm nature, with a decent meat carcass as a bonus. It is one of the more forgiving wool breeds for damp, muddy ground.

Is it right for you?

Best for fibre-focused homesteaders in cool, wet, or coastal climates where finer breeds struggle. Romneys handle rain and mud well and forgive beginner mistakes, but dislike hot, dry heat. A good first wool sheep.

What you get

Mainly fleece: about 8 to 12 pounds of wavy, 5 to 7 inch wool a year, 29 to 36 micron, popular with hand-spinners and felters. Ewes run 150 to 200 pounds, rams 225 to 275, so extra lambs also give a solid meat carcass. Ewes twin readily.

Space & Housing

A dry, three-sided shelter out of wind and rain is enough - no heat needed. Good fencing matters most: woven wire or several strands of electric. Budget roughly a quarter to half an acre of decent pasture per ewe.

Feeding & Daily Care

Grass and hay do most of the work, with a little grain for pregnant or nursing ewes in winter. Keep clean water and loose sheep mineral out year-round. Daily care is a quick walk-through; shear once a year.

Temperament & Handling

Calm, quiet, and easy to move - one of the more manageable breeds. They flock well and rarely panic, with little noise outside lambing and weaning. Their size still calls for decent handling pens.

Health & Hardiness

Built for damp, cold marshland, Romneys tolerate wet notably well and have reasonably sturdy feet - though no sheep is immune to parasites. Heat and humidity stress them more than cold. Their open faces limit wool blindness. For health, vaccination, and breeding stock, rely on reputable breeders and a livestock veterinarian.

Getting Started

Start with three to five ewes or weaned ewe lambs from a breeder working in a climate like yours. Buy healthy, well-grown animals and ask about the flock's history. Rams sex easily and mature fast; one covers a small flock, or borrow one to skip year-round keep.

Common Mistakes

Skimping on fencing and losing sheep, skipping annual shearing so fleece mats and traps moisture, and overcrowding pasture, which drives up parasites and feed cost. Do not treat Romneys as a hot-climate breed.

FAQ

Do Romneys need shearing?

Yes, once a year. The fleece grows continuously and will mat and trap moisture if left unshorn.

Are Romneys good for beginners?

Yes. They are hardy, calm, and forgiving, which makes them one of the easier wool breeds to start with.