Description
Ile de France sheep for sale are for farmers who want lambs that grow fast and finish well. The Ile de France is a French meat breed that has become a favourite terminal sire in South Africa: put an Ile de France ram on your ewes and the lambs come off heavy and well muscled.
DRM Livestock supplies Ile de France lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes and breeding rams, with delivery arranged to your farm anywhere in South Africa. Tell us what you need and we will send you a written quote with current prices and transport.
Ile de France Sheep for Sale: What We Supply
We supply Ile de France sheep in 5 categories, so you can buy exactly what your flock needs rather than whatever happens to be in the pen.
| Category | Age or stage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ile de France lambs | 1 to 3 months | Growing out for slaughter |
| Older Ile de France lambs | 4 to 11 months | Growing out, or selecting future breeding stock |
| Yearling Ile de France ewes | 12 to 15 months | Building or growing a breeding flock |
| Pregnant Ile de France ewes | In lamb | Adding ewes that lamb soon after arrival |
| Ile de France breeding rams | Adult | Siring fast-growing, well-muscled slaughter lambs |
Prices for our Ile de France sheep for sale are on request, because they depend on the category, the number of animals and the market at the time. Every written quote includes current prices, availability and transport to your farm, usually within one working day.
Why Farmers Choose Ile de France Sheep
The Ile de France was developed in France in the 1800s by crossing Leicester rams with Rambouillet Merino ewes. It combines meat qualities with a good, medium-fine white wool.
- Growth: lambs grow fast and reach slaughter weight early, especially on good feed.
- Carcass: a well-muscled, lean carcass that suits feedlots and abattoirs.
- Terminal sire: Ile de France rams are widely used on Merino, Dohne and crossbred ewes to produce heavier slaughter lambs.
- Wool: a useful fleece as a second income.
- Temperament: generally calm and easy to handle.
For breed standards and registered breeders, visit the Ile de France Sheep Breeders’ Society.
Where Ile de France Sheep Do Best
The Ile de France does best where the feed is good: planted pastures, grassland, and mixed farms in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. On poor, dry veld its growth advantage is hard to realise, and hardier breeds usually do better.
Choosing the Right Ile de France Sheep
Not all Ile de France sheep for sale suit every farm. Match the animal to the job you need it to do.
Ile de France lambs and older lambs
Lambs grow fast on good feed, which makes them a good choice for growing out for slaughter. Look for active, well-grown lambs.
Yearling Ile de France ewes
Choose ewes with a long, deep body, sound feet and mouth, a good udder and good wool if you plan to breed purebred Ile de France or your own rams.
Pregnant Ile de France ewes
Pregnant ewes give you lambs quickly. Feed them well in late pregnancy, and plan transport around their lambing dates.
Ile de France rams
This is where the breed earns its keep. Look for a ram with a broad loin, a full hindquarter, strong legs and two firm, even testicles, and have him checked for breeding soundness before mating.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before you commit to any Ile de France sheep for sale, from us or anyone else, check:
- Mouth: teeth should meet the pad squarely. Undershot or overshot jaws are a fault, and worn or missing teeth shorten a ewe’s working life.
- Feet: watch the sheep walk, and check for overgrown hooves and signs of footrot.
- Condition: feel over the backbone and ribs. Wool and hair can hide a thin sheep.
- Eyelids: pale inner eyelids can mean a heavy wireworm burden.
- Udder on ewes: two functional teats and no hard lumps from old mastitis.
- Testicles on rams: two, firm and even, with no lumps. Ask for a breeding soundness examination by a vet.
- Paperwork: the seller’s registered mark, a document of identification, vaccination history and, where required, a veterinary movement permit.
Delivery and Paperwork
Our Ile de France sheep for sale are delivered to farms across South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. Transport is quoted separately, because it depends on the number of animals, the distance and the route.
Sheep are cloven-hoofed, so they fall under the current foot-and-mouth disease movement controls. They may only move with the correct documents and, in affected areas, an official veterinary movement permit. We handle the identification documents with every sale and work with the state vet on movement requirements. Check new sheep for lice and sheep scab, and treat them if needed before they join your flock. On arrival, keep new animals apart from your flock for at least 28 days and give them time to settle before you work them.
How to Order Ile de France Sheep
- Tell us what you need: the number of animals, the category (lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes or rams), and your farm location.
- Get a written quote: we send current prices, availability and transport costs, usually within one working day.
- Confirm and pay: only into our business account, against an official invoice from DRM LIVE STOCK (Company No. K2023207798).
- Delivery: we arrange transport and paperwork to your farm.
Read more on our how to buy page, or request a Ile de France quote now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Ile de France sheep cost in South Africa?
It depends on the category, the number of sheep and the market at the time. We send current prices, availability and transport costs with every written quote.
What is a terminal sire?
A terminal sire is a ram used only to produce slaughter lambs, not replacement ewes. The Ile de France is popular for this because its lambs grow fast and carry good muscle.
Can I use an Ile de France ram on Merino ewes?
Yes. It is one of the most common crosses in South Africa for producing heavier slaughter lambs from wool ewes.
Do Ile de France sheep need shearing?
Yes. They are a wool breed and need regular shearing.
Do you deliver Ile de France sheep to my farm?
Yes. We arrange delivery across South Africa. Transport is quoted separately, based on the number of sheep and the distance.
Do the sheep come with documents?
Yes. Every animal comes with a document of identification, and we work with the state vet on any movement permits required under the foot-and-mouth controls.
Looking for Ile de France Sheep for Sale? Request a Quote
If you are ready to buy Ile de France sheep, request a quote with the number and type of sheep you need and your farm location. You can also compare the Dorper and Merino. For the full picture, read our guide to Ile de France sheep in South Africa. You may also find our guides to sheep prices in South Africa and common sheep diseases useful.
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