Romney Marsh sheep were developed in the low-lying areas of Kent and Sussex, along the English Channel. This large, dual-purpose breed produces both high-quality meat and wool. In Kenya, white settlers introduced the breed in the highlands, where farmers rear it under intensive and semi-intensive systems. Romney Marsh sheep thrive in wet and marshy environments. Their hard hooves resist foot rot, and they show strong tolerance to liver fluke, which makes them highly adaptable.
The breed has a wide, level head without horns or dark hair. Ewes display full faces, while rams appear broad and masculine. Eyes are large and bright, and mouths are sound. The neck blends strongly into the shoulders, which are level with a straight, long back. The chest is wide and deep, and the rump is long and well-turned. Thighs are well-developed, legs well set, and pasterns strong. The face is white, and the skin is pink. Rams and ewes stand firmly, reflecting structural soundness.
Romney Marsh sheep produce a heavy fleece that is fine, lustrous, and forms clear locks along the body. Mature rams can yield up to 10 kg of wool per shearing, while ewes average over 5 kg. Wool length ranges from 85–130 mm, with a diameter of 31–33 microns. The clean yield after washing is high, typically 75–80%, exceeding most fine-wooled breeds.
Birth weights range from 2.5–3.5 kg, and weaning weights are 15–18 kg. At 12 months, rams weigh 20–25 kg, and ewes 18–25 kg. Mature rams reach 102–124 kg, and ewes 68–90 kg. Ewes lamb first at 15–18 months, producing lambing rates of approximately 150%.
Romney Marsh sheep combine hardiness, adaptability, and high-quality wool and meat. Their structure, wool quality, and disease resistance make them ideal for wet, marshy, or highland regions.