HAMPSHIRE SHEEP
History &
Standards
The
following
is
taken
from
the
American
Hampshire
Sheep
Association
"handbook".
*ATTENTION
STUDENTS*
Feel
free
to
copy
or
print
out!
HAMPSHIRES
HISTORY
The
Hampshire
sheep
acquired
its
name
from
the
agriculture
country
of
Hampshire
in
Southern
England
where
they
were
developed.
The
Hampshire
Down
evolved
from
the
mingling
of
different
strains
of
kindred
blood
from
sheep
in
co-existence
along
the
borders
of
Hampshire
County.
The
Old
Hampshire,
Bershire
Knot,
Willshire
Horn
and
Southdown
sheep
were
believed
by
most
writers
to
be
the
original
breeds
found
in
and
along
the
borders
of
Hampshire
County.
Mr.
John
Twynam
made
a
valuable
contribution
to
the
Hampshire
Down
through
the
use
of
an
improved
Cotswold
ram
and
Mr.
William
Humphrey
by
the
introduction
of
two
of
the
largest
and
most
outstanding
Southdown
rams.
the
sheep
farmers
in
the
district
of
Hampshire
continued
through
selection
to
improve
the
Hampshire
down
which
was
considered
far
superior
to
any
other
sheep.
In
1889
the
Hampshire
Down
Sheep
Breeder's
Association
was
established
in
Salisbury,
England,
where
it
is
still
active.
During
that
same
year
(1889)
the
American
Hampshire
Down
Sheep
Association
was
also
organized,
now
known
as
The
American
Hampshire
Sheep
Association.
Hampshire
sheep
were
reported
in
the
US
around
1840
although
there
were
no
records
to
indicate
that
any
survived
the
Civil
War.
Around
1865
to
1870
Hampshire's
were
again
imported
from
England
but
the
first
authentic
record
of
importation's
was
made
in
1879.
For
over
a
century,
U.S.
breeders
have
bred
and
selected
Hampshire's
to
fill
specific
sheep
industry
needs.
Hampshire
sheep
have
the
genetic
ability
to
efficiently
convert
forage
into
meat
and
fiber
and
are
adaptable
and
productive
in
various
geographic
regions
of
the
United
States.
STANDARDS:
It
is
recognized
that
the
appearance
of
a
sheep
is
important
but
only
as
it
relates
to
maximum
productivity,
profits
and
breed
characteristics.
Therefore,
the
Hampshire
Standards
are
made
to
include
mainly
those
traits
that
research
has
found
to
make
them
more
productive.
Major
emphasis,
then
is
put
on
such
traits
as
multiple
births,
weight
per
age,
face
covering,
refinement
about
the
head
and
shoulders,
muscling
and
freedom
from
unsoundness.
Even
more
emphasis
is
placed
on
production
records
and
Hampshire
people
are
encouraged
to
use
these
as
most
important
in
selection.
Final
selection
among
a
group
with
similar
production
factors
may
be
made
on
the
basis
of
appearance.
Hampshire's
are
noted
for
their
rapid
growth
and
efficient
feed
conversion.
1)
GENERAL
APPEARANCE
A:
Breed
Character
The
Hampshire
is
a
large,
open
faced
and
active
sheep
with
a
mild
disposition.
Mature
rams
should
weigh
275
pounds
or
more
and
mature
ewes
should
weigh
200
pounds
or
more
in
breeding
condition.
The
ears
should
be
moderate
in
length,
thick,
covered
with
a
coarse
dark
brown
or
black
hair
and
free
from
wool.
The
face
should
be
of
good
length,
dark
in
color
and
practically
free
of
wool
from
the
eyes
down.
An
unbroken
wool cap
should
extend
from
the
neck
over
the
forehead.
Any
wool
interfering
with
vision
should
be
considered
serious.
Legs
below
the
knee
and
hock
should
be
relatively
free
of
wool.
The
Hampshire
should
show
quality
without
weakness
and
size
without
coarseness.
Masculinity
in
the
ram
and
femininity
in
the
ewe
should
be
notable.
B.
Body
The
body
should
be
relatively
deep
with
a
strong
level
top
and
the
greater
length
from
the
last
rib
to
the
base
of
the
dock.
The
back
should
be
strong,
well
muscled
and
uniform
throughout.
It
should
be
covered
well
with
muscle
and
not
fat.
Considerable
depth
and
bulge
should
be
displayed
in
the
thigh
muscles.
The
reproductive
organs
of
both
the
ram
and
the
ewe
should
be
normal
and
well
developed.
The
body
should
produce
a
carcass
with
a
minimum
of
0.4
carcass
weight
per
day
of
age,
have
at
least
2.5
sq.
in.
loin
eye
and
have
at
least
50%
of
this
weight
in
the
hind
saddle
(cut
between
the
last
two
ribs).
Maximum
fat
cover
should
be
.25
inches
regardless
of
carcass
weight.
The
yield
grade
should
not
exceed
3.
C.
Feet
and
Legs
Both
the
front
and
rear
should
be
well
placed
under
the
corners
of
the
body
with
ample
elevation
off
the
ground
to
give
it
the
height
to
balance
with
the
body
size.
Short
legs
are
associated
with
a
small
short
body
and
early
maturity.
The
legs
should
be
of
ample
bone
as
noted
by
the
circumference
below
the
knees.
Hocks
that
are
too
straight
(post
legged)
or
too
crooked
(sickle
hocked)
are
indicators
of
unsoundness.
The
angle
of
the
hock
should
allow
free
movement.
The
pasterns
should
be
strong
with
toes
rather
close
together.
D.
Fleece
and
Skin
The
Fleece
of
the
Hampshire
should
be
of
good
length:
uniform
and
grade
1/4
to
3/8
blood.
Black
fibers
in
the
fleece
and
hairy
breeches
should
be
avoided.
A
pink
skin
in
a
healthy
animal
is
preferred.
A
year's
production
of
wool
should
weigh
approximately
8
pounds.
2.
DESIRABLE
TRAITS
A.
High
fertility
and
sex
drive
in
rams
-
regardless
of
season
of
year,
the
ram
should
breed
a
large
number
of
ewes
which
produce
a
high
percentage
of
multiple
births.
The
sire
should
transmit
livability
and
ease
of
lambing
to
his
offspring.
B.
Ewes
should
settle
on
first
service
regardless
of
the
season
of
the
year.
Replacement
ewes
and
prospective
sires
should
be
selected
from
ewes
that
settle
within
42
days
after
the
introduction
of
the
ram
to
the
breeding
flock.
C.
Easy
lambing,
multiple
births,
and
mothering
ability
-
Ewes
in
satisfactory
physical
condition
should
need
no
further
assistance
when
lambing.
they
should
produce,
at
least,
two
strong
and
active
lambs.
They
should
also
provide
adequate
milk
supply
to
insure
maximum
growth.
The
ewe
should
exhibit
a
strong
desire
to
protect
her
offspring.
Ideally
a
ewe
should
produce
100
percent
or
more
of
her
body
weight
in
120
days.
It
is
not
uncommon
for
a
Hampshire
ewe
to
produce
200
pounds
and
more
lamb
in
100
days.
D.
Resistance
to
parasites
and
disease
-
Breeders
are
encouraged
to
select
animals
that
exhibit
resistance
of
diseases
of
hoof
and
body.
E.
Environmental
adaptability
-
the
ability
of
an
animal
to
adapt
to
immediate
surroundings
is
reflected
in
a
faster
rate
of
growth
and
an
increased
reproductive
capacity.
Hampshire sheep
are
quiet
and
not
easily
excited.
3.
UNDESIRABLE
TRAITS
Avoid
selection
of
animals
that
could
increase
any
development
of
crooked
legs
and
poor
feet,
inverted
eyelids,
abnormal
sexual
organs,
black
fibers,
wool
blindness,
broken
wool cap,
horns
and
abnormal
teeth
or
jaw
development.
