Black Welsh Mountain Sheep
Basic Information:
Scientific Name: Ovis aries black welsh mountain
Habitat: Black Welsh Mountain Sheep are mostly found on farms and in the hills of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as across the United States and Canada.
Diet: Their diet mostly consists of grasses, weeds, hay, and oats
Size: Most of these sheep are relatively short, reaching a height of around 20-30 inches tall at the shoulders. They generally weigh around 100-130 pounds as adults.
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Distribution Map:
Livestock Conservancy Status:
What does this mean?
Threatened – Breeds with fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in the United States and an estimated global population of less than 5,000.
Our Black Welsh Mountain Sheep:
Eunice (Female)
Priscilla (Female)
About Black Welsh Mountain Sheep:
The Black Welsh Mountain is a small, black sheep with no wool on the face or on the legs below the knee and hock. The rams are typically horned and the females are polled (hornless).
Black Welsh Mountain Sheep are mostly found in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as they were originally bred for sheep farming in the mountains of Wales. Three rams and 13 ewes were imported to the United States in 1973, beginning the North American population. They are considered a Heritage Breed of livestock in need of conservation.
Did You Know?!
- These sheep are mostly found in the United Kingdom, but were first imported to the United States in 1972.
- They are the only black breed of domestic sheep in the UK.
- The standard for these sheep requires that the breed retain its long tail.
- The black wool is used to make gray thread for the manufacture of tweeds and other undyed wool fabric.
- These are hardy sheep and have good mothering skills.
