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Pasture-Raised, Milk-Fed |
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Sheep, Wool and Lamb |
Hurry Burry Farm and Fiber |
Wool and Fiber
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Icelandic Sheep
The modern Icelandic Sheep is a direct descendant of the sheep brought to Iceland by the early Viking settlers, in the ninth and tenth century. Very few attempts have been made to "improve" the Icelandic sheep through the centuries with outside crossings. The few attempts that were made, resulted in disasters brought on by diseases brought in by the "new blood". As a result producers drastically culled all animals which were results of crossbreeding. As a consequence all effect of other breeds was eliminated. It is now illegal to import any sheep into Iceland. As a result of these factors improvements to the breed have been done by selective breeding within the breed itself. Genetically the Icelandic sheep is the same today as it was 1100 years ago. It is possibly the oldest and purest domesticated breed of sheep in the world today.
The Icelandic is famous around the world for its wool, but it is bred for its meat. The meat is fine grained and has excellent flavor. The fleece has an innner and outer coat typical of the more primitive breeds. It comes in white, as well as a variety of other colors, including ranges of grey, brown and black. Due to the length of the fiber, openness of the wool, natural colors and versatility, Icelandic wool is general sold to handspinners.
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Hurry Burry's sheep flock is composed of Icelandic Sheep. One of the world's oldest and purest breeds, the Icelandic is a true triple-purpose sheep, valued for its meat, fiber and milk. The emphasis is on their meat, which is gourmet quality with fine texture and a light delicate flavor without ant "muttony" flavor. 
Icelandics behave differently than other breeds of sheep. They are not an altogether docile breed. They are alert and fast on their feet. Most are very individualistic and their flocking instinct is poor. They tend to spread out which makes them excellent users of sparse pasture. They are browsers who enjoy eating brush and and wild grasses. It has been reported that Icelandics are aggressive towards other sheep and will dominate mixed flocks. 