Lincoln

The Lincoln is a large, dual-purpose longwool sheep that hails from the eastern counties of England. A mature ram can weigh well past 250 pounds, making this one of the heaviest sheep breeds reared anywhere in the world. Its most distinguishing trait is the fleece: long, lustrous wool that falls in well-defined ringlets or locks, with a staple longer than that of any other breed.

Flock owners keep the Lincoln for wool, meat, and crossbreeding purposes alike. Hand spinners and fibre artists rate the fleece highly for its sheen and length, while the heavy frame yields a good carcass at slaughter. Breeders across several countries have also used Lincoln rams to add size and fleece weight to local longwool and crossbred flocks.

As for temperament, the Lincoln is even tempered and unhurried. These sheep move slowly, handle easily, and settle around people without fuss, which suits keepers who prefer a placid animal over a flighty one.

Who it suits

The Lincoln suits keepers who have sufficient grazing land and fodder to support a large sheep and who want a heavy, high-value fleece. Its calm nature makes it manageable for smallholders and fibre enthusiasts, though the size of the animal and the grooming a long fleece demands mean it is not the best fit for those wanting a low-input flock.

The Lincoln takes its name from Lincolnshire, a county in eastern England where long-fleeced sheep had grazed the fertile lowland pastures for centuries. These early longwools were large, heavy-boned animals valued equally for their wool and their mutton.

During the agricultural improvement movement of the 18th century, breeders set about refining the old Lincolnshire sheep into a more uniform type. Crossing with Robert Bakewell's improved Leicester stock tightened the conformation and lifted meat quality while the long, heavy fleece was retained.

By the 19th century the Lincoln was a recognised breed and had become one of the most influential of the longwools. It was exported in large numbers to countries such as Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, where it was used to add frame size and wool weight to local flocks and to help develop new crossbred types.

The Lincoln remains a fairly rare breed today and features on the watch lists kept by conservation bodies, but it continues to be reared by fibre producers and pedigree breeders who keep the longwool tradition going.

The Lincoln has a broad, rectangular body carried on short, sturdy legs. The head is bold with a wide muzzle, and both rams and ewes are usually polled, that is, without horns. A characteristic forelock of wool falls over the forehead. The overall impression is of a heavy, low-set animal built to carry a substantial fleece.

Coat and colours

The fleece is the most valued feature of this breed. Wool grows in long, wavy locks with a strong sheen and can produce annual fleece weights of around 12 to 20 pounds. White is the standard colour, but coloured Lincolns ranging from silver grey to near black are bred specially for hand spinners who want naturally pigmented fibre. The face and legs stay clean of wool, with the heavy fleece concentrated over the body.

Lincolns are known for an even, good natured disposition. They move slowly and without fuss, and they settle down quickly around people, which makes routine handling, shearing, and health checks straightforward. This breed is not flighty or prone to panic the way some hill breeds tend to be.

Within a flock, Lincolns graze quietly together and stay sociable with one another. Around handlers they are tolerant and easy enough to lead with feed. Towards dogs and other livestock they are generally placid, though, like all sheep, they depend on the flock for a sense of security and do best kept in groups rather than alone. Rams are large and call for the usual caution during the breeding season, but the breed on the whole is regarded as one of the more manageable large sheep.

Grooming

• Shear at least once a year; some flock owners shear twice to keep the long staple manageable.
• Check the fleece regularly for matting, plant debris, and dampness, especially over the back and rear.
• Skirt and store fleeces with care if selling to hand spinners, since the wool is this breed's main value.
• Trim hooves on a regular schedule to prevent overgrowth and foot trouble.

Exercise

• Provide ample grazing land; Lincolns are heavy sheep and need room to move about and feed.
• Rotate pasture to keep up forage quality and cut down parasite load.
• Allow daily access to open ground rather than keeping the flock in close confinement.

Environment

Lincolns do best on lowland farms with good grass and reasonably dry footing. The dense fleece gives protection in cold, wet weather, but it also traps moisture, so clean, well-drained ground and dry shelter go a long way in preventing skin and foot trouble. In India's hot, humid conditions, and especially through the monsoon, shade and airflow in the shed matter just as much as shelter from rain. Fencing must be sturdy and stock-proof to contain such a large, strong animal.

Being a large grazing breed, the Lincoln draws most of its nutrition from forage. Good pasture through the growing season and quality hay or fodder over winter form the base of the diet. Since the animals are big and carry heavy fleeces, they need adequate energy and protein to hold condition without turning overfat. Concentrate feed is best kept for periods of higher demand rather than fed as a routine matter.

Treats and supplements

Provide a sheep-specific mineral supplement and clean drinking water at all times. Selenium and other trace elements may be needed where the local soil is deficient in them. Introduce any grain or lush new pasture gradually to avoid digestive upset and bloat.

The Lincoln is a robust, long-lived sheep with a typical lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Most health concerns trace back to the heavy fleece and large frame rather than any inherited weakness. Regular shearing, parasite management, and foot care keep most Lincolns in good condition.

Preventive care

• Shear annually and skirt the fleece to keep the wool clean.
• Trim hooves regularly and check feet early for signs of footrot.
• Keep up a deworming and grazing-rotation plan based on faecal monitoring.
• Vaccinate against clostridial diseases as per local veterinary advice.
• Provide suitable minerals, keeping copper intake in check.

Lincolns reach breeding maturity at around 7 to 12 months, though ewes are commonly put to the ram for the first time closer to 18 months, to give the large frame time to develop. Mating happens on a seasonal basis, typically in autumn, so that lambs arrive in spring. Gestation runs roughly 145 to 150 days.

Litter size usually runs to one or two lambs; twins are common in ewes kept in good condition, while triplets occur less often. Lincoln lambs are large at birth, so ewes should be in good condition and watched closely at lambing time. Ewes generally make attentive mothers with adequate milk, and lambs put on weight quickly on the dam and good pasture. Given the breed's size, careful selection and body-condition management help keep both lambing ease and growth rates on an even keel.