Red Maasai

Red Maasai sheep are an East African hair sheep associated with Maasai pastoral communities in Kenya and Tanzania. They are usually red or reddish brown, sometimes with white markings, and have a fat tail or fat-rumped appearance depending on line. The breed is best known in livestock research for tolerance to gastrointestinal parasites, especially Haemonchus contortus, and for coping with heat, walking, and variable forage. It is a meat sheep rather than a wool breed, with a short coat suited to tropical and semi-arid environments.

Pastoral flocks manage Red Maasai sheep alongside goats and cattle, moving animals to match grazing and water while selecting ewes that lamb reliably under field conditions. For farms outside the region, the main considerations are parasite pressure, secure fencing, shade, and avoiding breeding solely for rapid growth at the expense of hardiness. Red Maasai genetics have been crossed with Dorper and other meat breeds, so conservation programs and buyers need clear flock history if parasite-tolerant purebred stock is the goal.