Border Leicester sheep were selected in 1997 for Windblest Farm because of their friendly dispositions, distinctive appearance, and ease of handling, important factors for then beginning shepherds.  The breed came to Canada with the early British settlers.  Its dual purpose nature, producing tender meat and warm fleece, made it a useful addition to the pioneer farm where utility was essential.  Later, the fibre was critical to the fibre industry.  Now Border Leicesters are found in small purebred flocks and on hobby farms.  Progressive commercial breeders  look to the Border Leicester for fast growing market lambs.  The ewes have excellent mothering characteristics.  The lambs are vigourous at birth and grow quickly.  They adapt well to pasture conditions, needing grain supplementation only during breeding season and at lambing.

Coloured Border Leicesters form part of the Windblest Farm flock.  They were added for the beauty of their fleeces, in shades of black, gray and brown.  We thank Linda and Bill Koeppel, of Cape House Farm, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for introducing us to these beautiful sheep.

Blue Faced Leicesters have been introduced recently to add to the wool side of the business.  As well as producing a fine, lustrous fleece, they are prolific, and heavy milkers.  They are particularly well suited to pasture based management systems.  Rams are in demand for the production of crossbred mules.