By Suzan Shearin, Tennessee – Originating throughout the Romney Marshes of England, they’ve been often known as, appropriately, Romney Marsh sheep. If you happen to occur to look at public television perhaps you’ve seen Romney sheep, which frequent the All Points Good and Small sequence.
Very hardy, this sheep breed is an easy keeper. Having a swampy origin, they’re additional proof in opposition to sheep foot rot and liver flukes than most breeds. They’re in a position to stand as much as rain and snow because of their dense fleeces are proof in opposition to the half down the middle. This half in several breeds leaves the once more uncovered and makes them susceptible to pneumonia. Rams widespread 250 lbs., ewes widespread 175-200 lbs. Fleece weight varies based mostly on genetics and feed nevertheless a median fleece may weigh 10-12lbs.
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The commercial disadvantage is that Romney sheep develop additional slowly then what are generally called “meat sheep breeds.” Nonetheless, industrial breeders ceaselessly use Romney sheep or Romney cross ewes attributable to their good fleece weight and distinctive mothering ability.
Their meat is exceptionally mild flavored, and this prime quality is handed on to cross-bred offspring. Anyone who says they don’t just like the flavour of lamb hasn’t tried Romney lamb. It’s milder than pork. One English gentleman remarked to me that he merely couldn’t get good lamb on this nation. He was accustomed to Romney.
The Romney fleece is a story in itself. The English Romney fleece was used for garments manufacturing and so had a snug, silky actually really feel. Many have been exported to New Zealand, and some found their method to the New England States.
The New Zealanders selectively bred for a tall sheep with carpet grade wool. Nonetheless gorgeous wool, it wanted to be lots coarser to resist placed on. The flocks throughout the New England area appeared to deal with the outdated English fast legs and silky fleece.
The New Zealand bloodlines found their method to our West Coast. As quickly as on the current circuit, you presumably can guess who gained. These bloodlines have now made their method all through the U.S.
Sooner than you purchase Romney sheep, resolve which kind you’d want to have. If you happen to occur to mean to level out, the New Zealand bloodlines are for you. In case you’re a spinner, will you knot or crochet that yarn, or weave it? Although there are exceptions, the New Zealand is often larger for weaving attributable to its coarseness.
The New England bloodlines, becoming a shorter sheep, require significantly a lot much less feed than the larger New Zealand. On account of the New England fleece is so good to spin, many breeders protect two separate flocks, a gift flock and a spinning flock.
Being a relatively small particular person (5’4”) I’d want to say that from my standpoint, the smaller sheep are easier to take care of. One breeder, Gloria Bellairs of Michigan, launched deserved consideration to very small Romney sheep by calling them Mini-Romneys and promoting them to ladies spinners.
Romneys can be found an assortment of colors: very white, cream, or various blue greys, charcoals, very gentle greys, very black, and even an occasional brown.
Nevertheless their most participating prime quality is their docile character. The right homestead sheep attributable to their manageability, they’re usually exceptionally nice. Take into consideration my shock on visiting my first Romney flock to see 80 sheep come working just because any individual often known as them! They’re true “people sheep.” Owners of various sheep breeds cannot take into consideration that my three rams love kids or that they aren’t a problem to worm alone.
Then they eat out of a possible purchaser’s hand, the deal is made.
For more information: Suzan Shearin, Piney Notch Farm, Rt. 1 Area 389, Bolivar TN 38000; American Romney Breeders Assn., John N. Landers, Secy., 19515 N.E. Weslinn Dr., Corvallis OR 97333.
Initially revealed throughout the March/April 1995 concern of Countryside & Small Stock Journal.