BREED INFORMATION

Also Known By: Hexham Leicester, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine

The Bluefaced Leicester is of the English Longwool type and originated near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England during the early 1900's. The breed was originally developed to use in the production of high quality crossbred ewes which were pastured in the neighboring hills of the region. They originated from Border Leicester individuals selected for the blue face (white hairs on black skin) and finer fleeces. They are found primarily in Northern England, Scotland and Wales.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Bluefaced Leicester should have a broad muzzle, good mouth, a roman nose, bright alert eyes, and long erect ears. The color of the head skin should be dark blue showing through white hair, with no wool on the head or neck. Both sexes are polled. There should be a good length of neck laid into broad shoulders, a good “spring of rib”, and a long strong back with no weakness behind the shoulder. The hindquarters should be broad and deep, the legs clean, well positioned and strong boned. Black hooves and no evidence of low pasterns. The rams have a proud, stately carriage and the ewes exhibit a feminine look. The wool should be tightly purled, fine, dense, semi-lustrous and opening cleanly to the skin.The mature Bluefaced Leicester will carry no wool on its head, neck, belly, legs, scrotal/vaginal, and udder areas.

COLOR: The Bluefaced Leicester though predominately a white wool breed does carry a recessive black gene and natural colored lambs do appear. On a white animal, small black spots are permissible on the face, earls, neck and legs. Lips and nostrils are preferably black, mottled gray is acceptable.

WOOL: The Bluefaced Leicester is classified as a longwool breed with a staple length of 3” – 6”, a fleece weight of 2 ½ - 4 ½ lbs., and a fiber diameter of 56’s – 60’s count, or 24-28 microns; creating high quality luster yarns with handle and drape. These wool qualities appear to be passed on to the crossbred offspring.

SIZE: The adult Bluefaced Leicester ram has one of the largest body weights of the British breeds. In spite of this size, when mated to the smaller hill type ewe, the ewe is able to carry and lamb its cross-bred progeny without difficulty. A ram at maturity should weight 200-250 lbs. They have an excellent disposition and are quite manageable despite their size. Ewes will usually weigh 150-175 lbs. at maturity; birthing and nursing their lambs with well-structured bags to great success.