How to Identify Icelandic Sheep

Icelandic sheep need shelter--they do not do well in direct sunlight or pouring rain. Shelter for an Icelandic sheep does not have to be expensive; tunnel huts, tarps and barns are perfect inexpensive shelters. However, you first need to know how to identify Icelandic sheep. Read on to learn how to identify Icelandic sheep.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn about the breed of Icelandic sheep. They are a descendant of the short-tailed Northern European sheep.

2. Determine the size of the sheep. Icelandic sheep are often medium-sized.

3. Study the leader of the flock. There is intelligence in this unique sheep that helps herders know weather patterns, provide guidance over treacherous terrain and find the way home.

4. Examine the sheep for horns. Icelandic sheep do not have polls. Both rams and ewes have horns in this particular breed.

5. Weigh the sheep. A fully mature Icelandic ewe weighs approximately 160 lbs. while a ram can weigh up to 220 lbs.

6. Check the color of the sheep--85 percent of all Icelandic sheep are white in color.

7. Investigate the range of underlying color of the sheep. This is either brown or black with six patterns of color.

Tips & Warnings

• Icelandic sheep are low maintenance creatures.
• Icelandic sheep breed twice a year.
• Sheepherders raise Icelandic sheep for butchering.