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| Saturday November 21, 2009 | ||
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California Red Sheep
How Did It Happen? In 1970, Dr. Glenn Spurlock of the University of California at Davis (in the course of his research) began crossing Tunis and Barbados sheep.
© Shear Perfection Ranch This cross resulted in a remarkable hybrid with distinctive color, gentle disposition and resistance to most of the usual problems that beset the sheep grower. At the time of his retirement, Dr. Spurlock entrusted the breeding program to Aime and Paulette Solier of Winters, California. The Soulier's slowly increased the size of their flock and interested other sheep breeders including Alice Gardner of Dixon, who helped expand the scope of the program so that today there are breeders and owners from coast-to-coast, as well as, in Canada. And over 1600 Reds have been enrolled in the California Red Sheep Registry, all of which are descended from Dr. Spurlock’s original flock
CALIFORNIA REDS The lambs are born all red, a color that is retained on the legs and head of mature animals after the wool has turned to beige or oatmeal color at maturity. The individuals are graceful and almost deer-like in appearance, but respond well to quiet handling. The ewes are possessive mothers and are exceptionally good milkers, the udder areas being pretty well free of wool so that even the most timid lambs are able to nurse easily. The legs are free of wool to the knees and hocks and the heads of both ewes and rams are bold and strong but the muzzles are fine, the ears long and pendulous, emphasizing the animal’s attractive appearance. California Reds are medium-sized sheep, the rams weighing from 170 to 250 pounds, and the ewes from 130 to 150 pounds. The rams sometimes have rather spectacular manes of red hair and are hornless. Why California Red Sheep?
TROUBLE-FREE ... MEAT...is extremely tender with a delicate flavor and is very low in fat content. WOOL...is silky in texture and is highly prized by hand spinners and weavers. The staple length is three to six inches; Bradford count, 50 to 60. They’ll love you! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CALIFORNIA RED SHEEP: Email: Shear Perfection Ranch Wool...Meat...Easy Lambing... Attentive Mothers...
Year Round Breeding... Quiet Handling |
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