๐ Ile de France Breed Overview
๐ Type
Meat breed
๐ Origin of the Breed
The Ile de France has been bred in France since 1822. The first Ile de France sheep arrived in South Africa in 1903, as a gift from Madame Arnaud Ginchard to the โboereโ of South Africa. These sheep came from the stud of the famous French breeder Delacour of Gouzangrez.
During the 1930s and 1970s, additional sheep were imported for research purposes. The first commercial imports occurred in 1972 by private breeders, and the Ile de France Breederโs Society was officially established in 1980.
๐ Description
The Ile de France is a large, smooth-bodied, polled mutton sheep. It produces strong, white wool of acceptable quality, completely free from coloured fibres.
๐ Production Norms
- Birth weight: 3 โ 5 kg
- 42-day weight: 19 โ 24 kg
- 100-day weight: 34 โ 41 kg
- Adult ewe weight: 70 โ 90 kg
- Fleece weight (ewes): 3 โ 4.5 kg
- Fibre diameter: 23 โ 27 ฮผm
๐งบ Products
- Meat: Early maturity ensures market-ready slaughter lambs with high-quality carcasses by 100 days of age.
- Wool: Strong, white wool free of kemp and pigmentation.
- Crossbred Lambs: Used as a sire line for crossbreeding. Crossbred lambs are heavier with better fat distribution.
๐ Production Qualities
๐ฃ Birth Mass
Lambs average around 4 kg under normal feeding. Lambing difficulties are rare. Thanks to strong lamb vigour and excellent ewe mothering, birth mortality is minimal.
๐ฑ Growth Rate
With good nutrition:
- 42-day weights: 19 โ 22 kg
- 100-day weights: 34 โ 41 kg
This makes the breed and its crosses ideal for early slaughter, allowing producers to keep more ewes on limited pasture.
๐ฅฉ Carcass Qualities
- Dressing percentages up to 66.4% officially recorded
- Free of excessive fat
- Exceptional muscle development
- Higher percentage of premium cuts
๐งฌ Reproductive Traits
โ Sexual Maturity
Ewe lambs can be mated early once they reach approximately 55 kg, increasing lifetime lamb production.
๐ Mating
Ile de France sheep can breed out of season, allowing ewes to lamb every 7โ8 months โ up to 1.3 natural pregnancies per year.
๐ถ Prolificacy
- Multiple births common
- Lambing percentages of 150โ170%
- Up to 220% per annum under a 3-lambings-in-2-years system
- Rams are non-seasonal breeders and can begin service at 10 months
๐ผ Milk Production & Mothering Ability
Ewes produce excellent milk, easily raising twins and triplets. Strong maternal instincts ensure tight ewe-lamb bonding.
๐ฐ๏ธ Longevity
Ewes can lamb up to 9โ10 years old.
๐ Record: A ewe aged 11 produced 29 lambs in her lifetime.
๐ Adaptability
The breed thrives in over 30 countries, performing well under:
- Semi-intensive systems
- Intensive farming
- Extensive grazing conditions
๐งต Wool Qualities
- Micron: 23 โ 27
- Ewe fleece: 3 โ 4.5 kg
- Ram fleece: 5 โ 6 kg
- Staple length: 80 โ 90 mm
- First crosses with Merino produce excellent medium wool
๐ Crossing Ability
As a terminal sire, the Ile de France ram passes on:
- Superior conformation
- Muscle tone
- Rapid growth to offspring
These traits make it a top choice for slaughter lamb producers. Cross-bred females are in high demand due to their fertility, milk production, and mothering ability.