Back to the sheep. You may wonder how the modern Norfolk Horn compares with its ancestors. We have a sheep that breeds true - within the fairly wide parameters allowed by the breed description. Because of personal preference in selection, flocks vary slightly - and those of us who know the breed well can often tell whose flock a particular sheep comes from on looks alone. They look like the old type, though in many flocks they are becoming chunkier, with better conformation. This is partly due to selection for a meatier type lamb, which comes naturally to anyone with any commercial leanings, and partly because the vast majority of flocks are on far better keep than their predecessors. They are, in my experience, still a little flighty and they certainly can jump. But they are friendly, amenable sheep and with gentle handling they learn it is easier to stay where they are put. The lambs finish well off grass and the meat is delicious.

The Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing scheme started by The Trust in 1994 as a conservation measure has been a huge help in finding an outlet for stock not suitable for keeping as breeding stock. We are able to achieve very good prices for quality animals and the butchers are extremely complimentary about the breed. Many people sell meat to friends and family and in no time find they have a waiting list.

In 1999 the Combined Flock Book showed 385 females and 59 males registered from 42 breeders. In 2003 this stood at over 1200 females and approximately 80 males registered from 62 flocks. In 2005 we could tell from ‘Geniped’ that there were 2,181 registered females and 176 registered males, and there seems to be a steady demand for breeding animals.

In 1997 the Norfolk Horn moved from category 1 - 'critical' to category 2 - 'endangered' on the Trust's priority list, and in 2004 it moved again to category 3 – ‘vulnerable’. This was thought possible because of growing numbers of breeding stock, greater awareness of blood lines and the need to use all we have available, and the fact that we have an enthusiastic Breeders' Group to help the Trust watch over the breed. We as a Group are delighted with the promotion to category 3 and see it as a success for the Norfolk Horn.

This article was written by Kerry Long and appeared in the Spring/Summer 1997 edition of the Ark (The Rare Breeds Survival Trust magazine) - figures were updated where necessary in May 2006.