Meat
Norfolk Horn
D tier
Norfolk Horn is a black-faced, spiral-horned East Anglian breed that nearly went extinct after contributing to the Suffolk. Surviving animals are hardy, alert, and lighter framed than modern terminals, kept largely by conservation flocks on dry heath and arable-edge grazing. Lamb is lean with a bright, slightly wild character reminiscent of traditional heathland mutton in miniature. Portions are modest; slow roasting and moist methods suit the fine, low-fat muscle. Pure Norfolk Horn meat is a rare heritage product rather than a commodity line.
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History
Horned black-faced sheep thrived on Norfolk heaths and provided ewes for early Suffolk crosses.
Numbers collapsed as improved Suffolks and arable change displaced the old heath breed.
A conservation breeding programme rebuilt the breed from a handful of remaining animals.
Rare-breed markets and conservation grazing sustained small purebred flocks.