The Breed
EasyCare Sheep — The Self-Shedding, Low-Input Breed
Why Irish commercial farmers are switching to EasyCare: no shearing, fewer foot problems, strong maternal traits, and more kilograms of lamb weaned per kilogram of ewe mated.
Why EasyCare?
Self-shedding fleece
EasyCare sheep shed their fleece naturally every spring. This eliminates shearing costs (typically €4–8 per head) and the logistical challenge of booking a shearer on a fixed date.
Superior foot health
Selection for hard, well-conformed feet has made EasyCare one of the lowest-maintenance breeds for CODD and footrot management. Fewer foot-bath days means more time for other farm work.
Feed efficiency & carcase quality
EasyCare lambs grow efficiently on grass. Terminal-cross lambs from EasyCare ewes and high-TER rams consistently meet factory requirements, grading R and U on the EUROP grid.
Strong maternal instinct
EasyCare ewes are selected for ease of lambing, tight ewe-lamb bonding, and good milk. Fewer assisted lambings, fewer mis-mothered lambs, fewer nights in the shed — the maternal traits alone justify the switch for many commercial producers.
Ewe Efficiency
The best single measure of a ewe's commercial value is kilograms of lamb weaned per kilogram of ewe mated. This metric combines litter size, lamb growth, and ewe body condition into one number that directly predicts profitability.
EasyCare ewes combine a lean mature body weight (typically 65–75kg) with strong milking ability and good litter size — and it's the maternal traits that make the number stack up. A ewe that lambs unaided, bonds immediately, and milks well enough to rear twins on grass needs no creep, no supplementary feeding, and minimal shepherd intervention. That's where the real saving comes from.
The NLB (Number of Lambs Born) and DM (Daughters Milk) EuroStar indices let you select rams whose daughters will strengthen both traits in your flock — measurably, year on year.
| Ewe type | Ewe weight (kg) | Lambs reared | Kg lamb weaned | Efficiency ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EasyCare (recorded) | 70 | 1.7 | 52 | 0.74 |
| Commercial crossbred | 80 | 1.6 | 48 | 0.60 |
| Heavy continental cross ewe | 95 | 1.5 | 46 | 0.48 |
Indicative figures based on performance-recorded Irish flocks. Individual results will vary.
Is EasyCare right for your system?
Do EasyCare sheep really not need shearing?
Yes. EasyCare sheep have been selectively bred to shed their fleece naturally each spring. In most years no shearing is required, though some animals may need a light tidy in their first year.
Are EasyCare sheep suitable for all Irish farm systems?
EasyCare work well on lowground and upland systems. Their efficient feed conversion and low labour requirements make them particularly attractive for part-time or mixed farms.
How does EasyCare foot health compare to other breeds?
Breeding selection in the EasyCare breed has focused heavily on foot conformation and resistance to CODD and footrot. Most EasyCare flocks report significantly lower foot-treatment rates than commercial cross ewes.
What litter size can I expect from EasyCare ewes?
Managed EasyCare ewes typically scan at 150–180%, comparable to many terminal sire breeds. The NLB (Number of Lambs Born) EuroStar index helps identify rams that will improve this in your flock.
See our available rams
All performance-recorded, pedigree EasyCare from Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Browse Available Rams →