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Raskelf Rare Breeds

Our breeds

Over twenty rare and native British breeds

From the most ancient sheep in the British Isles to hardy upland flocks, traditional outdoor pigs and heritage poultry — every breed here is kept as a working part of the farm.

Most of these breeds also go into our rare breed meat packs, collected from the farm here in Raskelf.

  • Irish Moiled cow with distinctive red and white colouring in a Yorkshire pasture
    Cattle

    Irish Moiled

    The Irish Moiled was popular on small farms throughout Northern Ireland until specialist beef and dairy breeds took over. The breed is well known for its colouring. These animals have a fantastic nature and temperament, and their beef is renowned for its flavour.

  • Fawn coloured Jersey cow at Raskelf
    Cattle

    Jersey

    Gentle, small-framed dairy cattle known the world over for their rich, golden milk and their easy-going character.

  • Black Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep with white blaze and white socks
    Sheep

    Balwen Welsh Mountain

    The Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed of domestic sheep. It is a hardy upland breed known for its good mothering ability and very special markings.

  • Horned Rough Fell sheep with a heavy fleece
    Sheep

    Rough Fell

    The Rough Fell is a hardy upland breed originating from the Kendal area of Cumbria. It is one of the largest of the upland breeds.

  • Devon and Cornwall Longwool sheep with a long curly fleece
    Sheep

    Devon and Cornwall Longwool

    The Devon and Cornwall Longwool is a dual purpose sheep suitable for many different farming systems and can be found right around the British Isles. The breed produces meat with a distinct taste and flavour.

  • Small brown Soay sheep grazing
    Sheep

    Soay

    Our most ancient breed in the British Isles. These hardy sheep originate from the St Kilda group of islands west of the Outer Hebrides, and produce meat with a distinct taste and flavour.

  • Horned Boreray tup, one of Britain's rarest sheep breeds
    Sheep

    Boreray

    One of our rarest British breeds, the Boreray descends from the now extinct Scottish Dunface. All Boreray originated on the island of Boreray in the St Kilda group, where a feral population still lives. They are hardy, lively, primitive sheep and, slow grown, they produce fabulous hogget and mutton.

  • Four-horned Manx Loaghtan sheep with dark brown fleece
    Sheep

    Manx Loaghtan

    The Manx Loaghtan is hardy and small in size, with an adult ewe weighing around 40kg. They are slow maturing and are normally butchered at about 15 months of age, when they produce lean, low cholesterol meat.

  • White-faced Shropshire sheep standing in grass
    Sheep

    Shropshire

    The Shropshire originated in the 19th century by crossing various local breeds. It is a powerfully built, good looking sheep, typically between 80 and 120kg. The breed is increasing in popularity with tree nurseries and vineyards: where most sheep would browse the trees as well as the grass, the Shropshire doesn't, making it the ideal breed.

  • Whiteface Dartmoor sheep with a thick curly fleece
    Sheep

    Whiteface Dartmoor

    An ancient moorland breed from the Dartmoor uplands, prized for its long lustrous wool and its ability to thrive in exposed, wet conditions.

  • Ginger Tamworth pig rooting in a paddock
    Pigs

    Tamworth Pigs

    Today's Tamworth pig is thought to be descended from the original indigenous species, the Old English forest pig. It originated in 1812 at Sir Robert Peel's manor estate in Tamworth. This breed is produced for both bacon and pork, and is known for being hardy in more northerly settings.

  • Black British Saddleback pig with a white band across the shoulders
    Pigs

    British Saddleback

    The British Saddleback was formed in 1967 by the amalgamation of the Essex and Wessex Saddleback. Traditionally popular with outdoor rearing production, it was replaced by other breeds as supermarket dominance grew. It was recognised as a rare breed in 1979.

  • Bagot goat with black head and shoulders and a white body
    Goats

    Bagot Goats

    One of Britain's oldest and rarest goat breeds, unmistakable with its black head and shoulders and white body. Our Bagot goats have appeared on screen as well as around the farm.

  • Golden Guernsey goat with a pale golden coat
    Goats

    Golden Guernsey Goats

    A small, docile dairy goat from the Channel Islands with a beautiful golden coat, producing rich milk from a modest amount of feed.

  • White Sebastopol goose with long curled feathers
    Poultry

    Sebastopol Geese

    Instantly recognisable ornamental geese with long, softly curling white feathers, and a calm, friendly nature.

  • Heritage turkey displaying its tail feathers
    Poultry

    Heritage Turkeys

    A heritage turkey is a variety of domestic turkey that retains historic characteristics no longer present in turkeys raised for general consumption. To be a genuine heritage turkey it must meet three criteria: it must mate naturally, have a long productive lifespan, and have a slow growth rate.

  • Marsh Daisy hen foraging in the yard
    Poultry

    Marsh Daisy

    This breed of hen always attracts a lot of admiring glances. Presumed extinct until 1971, the Marsh Daisy is known for its ability to forage, its hardiness and its lovely tinted eggs.

  • Old English Pheasant Fowl hen with rich mahogany plumage
    Poultry

    Old English Pheasant Fowl

    A traditional northern English farmyard fowl with striking spangled plumage, a reliable layer and an excellent forager.

Looking for breeding stock?

Breeding stock is usually available, with lambs from most breeds at weaning over the summer. Happy to advise on which breeds suit new keepers.

See what we offer