Wensleydale - the Sheep with Dreadlocks
They might not be Bob Marley fans, but Wensleydales in full fleece have a whole body full of perfect dreadlocks!
Below are a pair, an older ewe with sunkissed long locks and Tyson, my lovely ram who holds his rich dark colour and tightly curled ringlets regardless of what the weather throws at him.
All images here are of my own sheep, and taken by me on an android phone.
In the UK coloured Wenseydales may be registered within a seperate flockbook. White ewes or rams that produce a coloured lamb are transferred to the coloured flockbook. Their progeny can add valuable new bloodlines to the gene pool.
Goodness! How can they see? Such long fringes over their eyes must make it difficult. Do you cut Tyson's fringe or does he not have one?
I love the way she is always eating! Get nice and strong to have more lambs :)
Again, thank you for sharing this post.
Haha, I love that first photo. Its the first time Ive ever seen a sheep pout! She obviously knows she isn't bound for the freezer. Amazing hair style too. But how do you keep it from knotting and matting?
Freezer? Don't say that word! Actually they are one of the few breeds whose fleece demands a high enough price for them to be profitable after they are too old to lamb. The fleece is oily and slippery,so tends not to tangle as easily as you'd imagine. The oil gives it weight too which helps keep it from matting as it hangs down and swings when the sheep runs. A bit like a spaniels flapping ears. Lol.
Thanks. They do look good I have to say. Having read the other comments I have to say they have gone on to my list of possibilities, although in all seriousness I had thought of meat for the freezer as number one priority, so maybe they aren't the best option.
Sorry, I couldn't upvote any of your posts
If you like lean meat then they and their crosses are ideal. Easy to lamb and fast growing.
Wonderful looking sheep!
What's a flockbook? A nationwide registration scheme containing ear tags etc of the sheep?
Yes... Often worldwide, it lists all members pedigree animals that come up to standard and have known parentage. If there is a lapse because owners dont register then very often the sheep can be checked and added to an appendix, and after maybe two generations of quality lambs the progeny can be entered into full flockbook. The breed society maintains the books. Rare breeds without their own society come under the umbrella of the Rare Breed Survival Trust
Thanks Elaine :D
How is their temperament?
Are they worm resistant?
In uk we have an old saying, black face equals black ar**e.... And certainly they do appear to get mucky backsides easily, mine seem to be clean in dry weather and quick to get mucky in wet weather, but the cause doesnt usually seem to be worms on older ones... But lambs are susceptable. The good thing is that they dont seem to lose condition quickly and bounce back fast. Temperament... Friendly, good mothers, confident and curious - in small mixed flocks the Wensleydale lambs will be the ones that approach their owner.
Sounds like a good critter to have.
I'll check around my area to see if anyone is raising them.
Yes, you do that torquewrench, I'd send one in your direction, but my guess is she'd have a long way to swim...
Wowzers, these sheep are spectacular! I've never seen anything like them before. Please tell me you spin with all that magnificent fiber. I personally don't but have a friend who has won many awards for her clothing that she makes herself.
Indeed I do. You really should give it a try!
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Thank you very much for the information
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My favorite wool to spin -- so much fringe power. :)
Ah another spinner! Yes, it is lovely to spin and has a beautiful lustre. Thanks for stopping by, I dont think there are many spinners here, so I'll be following you.
I have not really seen any spinning specific post. For sure will follow you as well. :)
The joys of spinning are innumerable.
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