The Grey Ghosts of Ouessant

Aa/Aa BB/Bb Mm/Mm

When I started keeping ouessant sheep I realised pretty quickly that I was buying into an almost mystical ressurection of a race of sheep whose origins were ancient and lost in the mists of time and such has been the ever perpetuated legend. It took some time and alot of searching but I began to realise that these sheep are not only from a tiny little island off the Finistere coast living in splendid isolation they are infact part of a much larger gene pool of sheep whose value lies not only in their unique size and rusticity but also in their very real isolation not just on a tiny island but in the main on the far west corner of Brittany a breed of sheep who has been there for as long as anyone can remember and who are so much a part of the landscape no-one paid them any attention. The sheep of the island were remarkable for their incredible numbers, five thousand sheep on an island no more than a couple of miles across. It is a fact that the factors that have made them popular today their size and hardiness has been the very thing that has for many many years allowed to continue unimproved and truly a relic of a type of sheep that is rarely found in modern central europe untouched.

As a part of the landscape and having gone unoticed, except for a reassuring fondness the Bretons seem to have for keeping these guys around, they have their uses. It has only been in recent years that any documentation or understanding of the real diversity that exists in the breed is begining to become clear. Very few records exist of the sheep before the end of the nineteenth century and by then they were no longer kept in remarkable numbers on the island so they drifted back into obscurity save for a few dedicated enthusiasts of the breed. Some placed a significant importance in seeking to identify the breed uniquely with the island of Ouessant and there is no doubt the two are intrinsically linked but there is so much more to this breed. Those fortunate enough to be involved in the early days have heavily influenced the recording and documenting of the breed.

It seems however that there has been quite a lot of information that for various reasons has been dismissed, discarded or even disputed. We are told that the breed was saved and several small groups of sheep were found at various locations whose provenance could be guaranteed. Today however there are no records of the original foundation sheep they have been allowed to slip away. It is fortunate then that the breed has never gone away and has always been right under the noses of anyone who cares to look , but look harder still and you will see how much more there is to find.

So why the title Grey Ghost? Because contrary to popular opinion that ouessant sheep are just dull little black sheep, they do come in a variety of colours although the genetics are rare and the mechanisms for inheritance is only just begining to be understood. Their inheritance as a relic of a population far more ancient is in the genes that they carry from times gone by. Every now and then these genes come to the surface. The most recent to be indentified is a gene responsible for colour modification. I would call it a dilution gene but geneticists say it doesn't exist in sheep but it helps a little to think of it this way to understand its action.

So, take a black sheep add a colour modifying gene and a recessive gene at that so you need a copy from both mum and dad to even stand a chance of obtaining a lamb that is genetically black but because of the colour modifying gene becomes grey.

Aa/Aa BB/BB Mm/Mm

The intial work done on this colour modifying gene was done in shetlands LINK to the site that explains a little more about its effects.

The gene was originally identifed in Shetlands because of its influence on mainly the brown( Moorit) shetland .

Here I will attempt to document its effects in relation to ouessants but you may need to read the shetland article a couple of times to get the fuller picture.

I will try to document using where possible photos as this gene is relatively rare and still under examination its interpretation and my posts may not be 100% certain at this time but I have no doubt that over time things will be tidied up a little.

If you refer to my original posts you will see the colours listed as acceptable by GEMO the breed society.

It is true that the population of ouessant sheep in holland has been extensively manipulated to provide a whole range of colours but for now the colours existing in France remain very much the original genetics of the breed. It is important to remember this, we are not talking about an introduced gene, this gene was in the original populations of ouessant sheep but it is rare and recessive so its effects weren't obvious. Also as dark sheep do age grey it takes a knowledgeable eye to recognise the difference between the two.

In addition the dutch ouessants contain a number of introduced traits notably the introduction of agouti grey this is a gene which does give a form of grey sheep but its inheritance is dominant not recessive and not documented in the original ouessant populations. There are still things many things to be determined with regards to what exactly is in the original ouessant sheep population so it remains to be seen if an original agouti grey is there, albeit it rarely

As stated above the gene was first documented in shetlands due to its influence of brown colour sheep it is evident in dutch brown populations but so far has been dismissed as an undesireable colour and thought to be as a result of feeding or mineral content in certain areas.

Aa/Aa Bb/Bb Mm/Mm

Light brown ouessant lamb in terms of colour reference for a shetland this would be equivalent to mioget as yet its french term is to be decided. There is a great deal more research to be done to determine quite a number of things. This post is a way to hopefully open the debate get people asking questions and looking at their ouessants in a new light. If you feel your ouessants may have some unusual colour characteristics then please contact me.

This article could not have been written with the assistance of a great number of people I thank every one of you for your assistance

For more information on how to understand better the basics of the genetics written herethere is no better site than this one

There will be plenty more to come on this topic and I am hoping merely to open the debate agree or disagree its time to start talking.

The end is in sight!

This little fella was born the other day to Mevanwi by Ivo pic taken at 5 days old. I wasn't going to keep any of the boys from this year entire but there is something about this guy and so I will let him grow up and see how things go, things that stand out for me is how fluffy he is also he is quite a small fella. Last night Rosie had a ewe lamb so far her lambing record with me is a ewe lamb every year and last year a boy and a girl twins! She is such a great mum but she is not a youngster and soon it will be time to think about retiring her.She will get to spend sometime just chilling.


So apart from Squeak who if she is in lamb will be later on and Mandi who I am very doubtful is pregnant at all heres how things have gone.

Dam Rozenn Sire ?? Katy Black ewe lamb

Dam Oanez Sire Doddy Joavan Black ram lamb with poll spot

Dam Ciska Sire Lieuwe Melita brown ewe lamb

Dam Chloe Sire Ivo Brianna Black ewe lamb

Dam Olivia Sire Lieuwe Josse Brown ram lamb

Dam Muguette Sire Ivo black ram lamb

Dam Mevanwi Sire Ivo Black ram lamb

Dam Twiglet Sire Ivo Black ram lamb

Dam Rosie Sire Ivo Laora Black ewe lamb

Missed Mandi

Squeak.....................?

I am thrilled Ivo despite his tender age has done a grand job and certainly judging by the initial appraisal of the lambs I have some nice youngsters to look forward to, photos udated as I can.

I am already planning the next lot of matings urrgghh!

Dominant black experiment continues as expected ( but not as I had hoped) all black lambs from a known recessive black ram mated to black ewes. I will continue by mating the same ewes to a white ram anyone having a white lamb gets an E+ after that I will have to think on how I can further any understanding of their genoptypes.

I will post on the fleeces from this years shearing of the boys still got the girls to go some nice surprises!

Snapshot

I still don't have my pc back to put up a full post about this guy but for now checkout his newly shorn photo. Hes also a really nice guy

Lamb Update

Did I mention how much I love this time of year? Only half a dozen times.............. Here we have little Melita who's not so little and her brother Josse with their mums Olivia and Ciska in the background Plus the delightful Brianna and her half brother ( no name). Updates since I last posted Both Muguette and Mevanwi have had black boys . So far for anything unusual vis a vis my dominant black theory zilch! All black lambs, to be expected but I was hoping. Left to lamb are Twiglet and her mum Rosie both had twins last year but I don't expect twins this time around, although the longer they go on the larger they get! Possibly to come after that may be Squeak and Mandi all these ewes are in lamb to Ivo and so far Ivo has done a really nice job I am very pleased. For Squeak and Mandi I'm not sure I am hopeful they may still have a lamb each but they have until the end of June so time will tell.

I am also hoepful to get my pc back next week sometime so I will be able to put up the backlog of stuff I have to go up. including a rather special new arrival. I will just say its a lovely new ram and that both his parents were GEMO champions............

Under Discussion

The move across to the ning site for the forum has gone very well. LINK under discussion at the moment is shearing, types of clippers to buy and the best methods for shearing. Birth announcements of course at this time of year and a newly created section for the soon to be uploaded video of what I am willing to bet are the first ouessants in coats ( save for Gary in his santa suit!) The coats are to keep the fleeces from sunbleaching and free from vegetative matter an real plus for those keeping fleeces for hand spinners. I have had a sneak preview and they look great!

Josse and Olivia

A Few Baby Pics

Sorry I can't resist and yesterday was a busy day for the mums here with two newborn lambs and it looks like one on the way this morning.............

I said I would try and get a pic to show how tiny Melita is. Above Joavan at three weeks of age and behind at a distance of not more than six feet further is little Melita. Joavan does appear to be a stonking lamb but hes not that big.

And now for the births

Chloe with her lovely little ewe lamb Brianna I love everything about this little girl shes solid and just the right proportions I have high hopes for her. Shes out of Chloe and by Ivo.

And after much drama Olivia and her little brown ram lamb Josse. Olivia started to lamb at the same time as Chloe but it became clear all was not progressing as it should and eventually a caesarian was needed. More drama my usual vet not on duty and a mad dash to the only available vet left me feeling totally frustrated and fearing the worst for Olivia and her lamb but I am pleased to report mum and Josse are doing well. Olivia has a fair size incision and has to deal with not only the birth of her lamb but surgery I feel sorry for her but she is coping extremely well fingers crossed everyone continues in the same vein.

Introducing..........

Little Melita. Pictures don't show how tiny she is I will see if I can get a pic of her next to Joavan, he looks huge next to her.

Spered Breizh Joavan

Heres the little fella at three weeks of age

DOB 11.04.08

Black Ouessant Ram with white poll spot

Sire "Doddy" (Egault at Spered Breizh)
Dam Oanez at Spered Breizh


Newborn

SURPRISE

OMG I could hardly have hoped for better news!! Ciska the brown ewe no one thought was pregnant had a little ewe lamb!! Terrible picture I will try to get a better one at some point. This was taken last night after the little girl ( still not got a name for her) was born at about six. I am thrilled especially as I never even thought to check it was Ciska as I just assumed only Olivia was pregant! My goodness I still have all this to go through again with Olivia!! And I can't believe Olivia still has her legs crossed more news later for now work calls

More Sheep Sillies

Clearly there are more mad people around who have nothing better to do than think up daft and sometimes naff games about sheep, heres a few to try your hand at.

World Cup Sheep
loads of fun, quite a reasonable pace and nice to sheep, always good:-)

Sleepy Sheep
I think this one is supposed to be educational or tell you something about reaction speed times still at least the sheep don't get hurt........ should I be worrying about hurting animated sheep?....... maybe someone is trying to tell me something.
And lastly

Poke a Sheep interesting sound effects but rather scary looking sheep and honestly after a few clicks its kind of dull :-(

Sheep Poo Paper!

With thanks to my friend Flat Stanley for the following link I LOVE this Sheep Poo Paper . Check out the black sheep cards. Great stuff and if you really feel into to sheep poo paper ( hmm maybe not that into it!) try the fun quiz . I shall be returning and beware friends you may well be getting some sheep poo paper xmas cards, bet you can't wait!

Ouessant Sheep of the Island

Isn't this just the most stunning picture! And at last finally some good pictures of Ouessant sheep on the island of Ouessant. I am hugely grateful to the photographer M Hervé Inisan and the owners of the sheep (website) for allowing me to post these pictures here. it took some tracking down but thankyou.
I will post some more as and when, it seems like gluttony to post them all in one go :-)

31st Annual General Meeting of GEMO

You weren't there? Have you joined GEMO and if you got your invite, why not come along next time a great way to meet some of the names and faces in the world of Ouessants. The meeting was at a lovely little restaurant and lunch was held for all those who wanted to stay on after the meeting. Opened by the Presidant Patrick Carré on the agenda were all the usual items approval of the last lot of accounts zzzzz you get the idea. Discussion of membership numbers and issues. The main item on the agenda for discussion was the production of pamphlets mainly for distribution at shows and agricultural presentations of the breed. Lots of superb photos taken by a GEMO member in a professional capacity. It was a long discussion and didn't leave a lot of time for much else but additional items included work on the properties of ouessant wool for insulation, a further mention of the work done by Dr JJ Lauvergne on the colours of ouessant fleece. The ouessant sheep was represented this year at the Salon d'Agriculture by the Ecomusée at Rennes as they were already participating in other categories. Nice to think that the breed had such a great representation there. It would also be great one day to actually get to the event but who knows maybe next year.
The discussion over the possibility of organising a competition this year for Ouessants. As always it seems its a hunt for finding someone prepared to host the show who has the facilities including all the pens etc to support the event and also whose willing to get involved. It seems sadly it may not be possible to hold a show this year. My suggestion of a series of breeder workshops either instead of the show if none was held or possibly even as well was not greeted with huge enthusiasm by the presidency. Who knows maybe there will be a show after all. All in all an enlightening experience and I shall definately be there next year, GEMO made everyone feel most welcome. maybe see you there next time!

The Green Sheep Project - Spring

As promised an update on my green sheep project. First a few photos, above a cushion of primoses. Aren't they gorgeous! These come up every year without fail and below more primroses growing around my old log pile. This pile of cut logs was put down many years ago on top of a wood stack made when some clearing had been done since then I have caught little brown lizards basking on the logs and of course its a haven for many insects as well as it seems a great place for moss to collect ( the grass is very damp)

Now to the sheepy bit. Things I have noticed, sheep don't like to eat primroses so they have flourished other species such as the greater stitchwort which used to billow around the primroses clearly hasn't fared so well and the little tiny wild violets are cropped quite close but some still manage to peek their heads up.

The grass has been mown yippee my lawnmowing bills have gone down considerably!
It looks as tidy as a good close trim and yet the addition of leaving at least some wild flowers is a bonus but in reality I would hope to be able to manage the wildlife/ sheep balance a little more in favour of wild flowers I think my project needs some tweaking.

In the creation of this little bit of habitat I have added some log piles for additional variety of habitat and to attract a diversity of wildlife, at the risk of boring you all stupid heres more photos!

An existing log pile comprised of mainly poplar (some cultivar I have no idea which ) its grown as a cash crop here and my little copse was originally all planted with this much has been cut down but some remnants remain.

This years log pile as yet unweathered or attacked by nature.
Things I have noticed clearing the copse section has been easier than I though the undergrowth of brambles and nettles were strimmed and the sheep have kept ontop of the new growth of brambles by munching off the sprouting shoots ( GREAT!) the nettles are still sprouting but they are clearly disturbed by the passage of the sheep so are less vigorous than before. I intend to maybe strim some and see how they go being munched by the sheep. Other areas will remain and be kept as a bank of nettles to provide a more diverse habitat ( I understand they have their uses!) The sheep have munched their way through all the ivy on the trees.
Not sure if this is good or bad I hear so many different ideas on this but the poor oak underneath was well and truly wrapped up so I think once the branches have been removed it will feel alot happier. The alternative option I have for removing the ivy is to try to remove by hand ( not a small task) or use a weedkiller for Ivy this would mean something pretty strong as the basic stuff doesn't seem to touch it. I am thrilled if it can be kept in check with the sheep.

This area is as yet untouched, its sapling oaks with the lower branches removed to give access and underneath a carpet of brambles and nettles are gradually taking over. Each year I hope to be able to fence off some more and use the sheep to keep it down. Other particular species of plant that are lovely to see are the array of spotted orchids, since the enforced use of the mower to keep the bracken at bay the orchids have been unable to show their heads so this is one of my main priorities. I hope year on year to be able to find the right balance.

In this area wet meadow/ light woodland I keep my rams ( a sheep bachelor pad par excellance)
Here are the boys hard at work Doddy Beau and Guiness. I have found the keeping the boys on a different site to the girls leads to greater harmony for the rams. They seem to enjoy being a group and without those girls around flirting at them they are able to sort out any differences and live peaceably. I'll try to post an update on this project later in the year. When the previously waterlogged grassland area will become baked solid clay and there will be little growth but I hope to be able to add pics of some of the animal and insectlife in the area .

Spered Breizh Joavan

Yes! sorry for the no posts my pc access is really messed up at the moment I have loads to put up but for now I just had to share at 9.55 this morning ( such a reasonable hour) Little Joavan arrived into the world!!

This little ram lamb with white poll spot is by Doddy I am thrilled that he is spotted he will be the start of my exploration of spotting and its inheritance. Mum Oanez is well and after keeping me on tenterhooks for weeks produced a healthy lamb very easily I am so relieved!! In a day or so I will put them out to enjoy the fresh pasture but as the weekends forecast isn't good, the little fella gets to enjoy all home comforts for the moment . He already seems as laid back as Doddy, like father like son :-))

As soon as I sort my pc access I'll be able to put up some better posts I have some fantastic pics of sheep from the island of ouessant to go on and a couple of articles for now silence is ..................well, frustrating really!! More lambs are expected next I think will be Olivia and a brown lamb but for the moment things are going to be a little quieter on the lamb side too. A bientot!

What IS the Gestation Period?????

Oanez has been threatening to lamb for days. All the signs are there everything is ready ( according to the books) and yet still she looks at me when I arrive to check her, expectantly, only shes not delivering! I was under the impression the gestation period was about 145 days. In previous years the ram has run with the ewes for the summer and into the winter so I never really counted days. I wouldn't be counting Oanez except it seems to be taking such a long time; I am hopeful for a birth announcement very soon but at the moment she is on day 154 according to some she could go as far as Day 159 ( I can't take the strain or the late nights!) News of lambs arrival as soon as it gets here...................... she will have a lamb , right?

The Flock Book Needs "YOU"

I am very pleased with the success of the Open Flock Book. I admit the web page is just awful but with over 200 entries on there now its well subscribed but I need more. In fact I need YOU to enter your ouessants .....please. I haven't had any criticism or comments but I can imagine there are a number of people a little confused, after all flock books as a general rule record ancient and venerable pedigrees of pure bred sheep so why would they want my( your) sheep? Who probably don't have a history going back much further than their parents or possibly grandparents names. Well heres a little summary on why its important to keep flock books open not closed.

The aim of this work is to highlight the need of monitoring small populations to conserve their genetic variability by using a set of parameters to characterize both the structure of populations and management practices. As a representative example we analyse the pedigree information of the endangered Xalda sheep breed of Asturias. The herdbook of Xalda sheep included a total of 805 animals and 62 herds. The number of founders was 329. Nowadays, there are 562 live animals and 26 active herds. The breed is in risk of losing genetic diversity because of the abusive use of certain individuals as parents. The effective number of founder animals is 81.1. The effective number of founder herds is 9.9. The average value of inbreeding in the whole Xalda population was 1.5%. The average relatedness (AR) coefficient reached 1.8% in the whole pedigree. The genetic representation of the lines of founders is unbalanced. Inbreeding trends and effective size do not provide realistic information concerning the risk of loss of diversity as a result of the shallowness of the genealogical information. We suggest the monitoring of the breed using AR to unbalance the genetic contributions of specific individuals, equalizing the genetic representation of the founders and lines in the population. In addition, AR can suggest the introduction of new, under-represented animals in herds showing high average AR values relative to the population. Our results can be useful to improve the development of conservation initiatives involving open herdbooks to avoid the risk of loss of genetic diversity caused by incorrect management practices. Link to the summary ( I don't have access unfortunately to the full paper)

Lots of words but basically the gist is in the highlighted text at the end. When conserving a breed of relatively small numbers its conservation comes in ensuring that the genetic diversity within the breed is kept and rigidly selecting out due to a very small or definative criteria is to the detriment of the breed. As is the overuse of a small number of animals for breeding stock. I have posted previously my views and the supporting texts of the origins of Ouessant Sheep their genetic diversity is still reflected today in the huge variation of type and design of ouessant Sheep that exist throughout the region. Today the native breed is in danger of disappearing into obscurity a relic of days gone by because breeders and breed societies are short sighted and in an effort to promote their breeding stock they are unwilling or unable to countenance that origin is defined by being there, not in being able to count the number of grandparents in an ancestry;
The registration of Ouessant sheep in France remains open under the auspices of GEMO to any sheep that meets the breed standard. they are eligible for competition and to the title of Ouessant Sheep. This ancient and venerable breed must be recorded but not to the exclusion of the vast majority of ouessant sheep. I urge you to submit your sheeps details to the open flock book . If their ancestry isn't as great as some, their heritage is as long as the history of the breed and it is their heritage and legacy which need safeguarding.

OPEN FLOCK BOOK
A link to the open flock book I hope that you will take the time to register your sheep and any subsequent births and thank you for contributing in a significant way to helping this breed survive into the 21st century and beyond. The flock book is capable of calculating the AR and inbreeding coefficient but more of that another day.

Lambs!

Photo Courtesy of Elevage Du Fontenelle
Ok I admit these aren't mine. Not yet, I am still waiting, the wait is interminable....................... This is a lovely photo of a white ewe and a brown ( marron) Ouessant ram lamb. Arent they just adorable and look, you can fit two in your shopping basket, value for money;-)

Blue Tongue Vaccination Programme

The title says it all really, come April France starts to roll out its blue tongue vaccination programme. Can't wait!
News Link

Oanez at Spered Breizh

Oanez at 141 days She is in lamb to Doddy and as Rozenn decided to produce a little too early and her lamb isn't by Doddy this is the only lamb he has sired. She is just HUGE fingers crossed all goes well. when ever it finally happens!!!!!!

Green Sheep?

A few years ago now I decided that rather than spend a fortune investing in mowers and equipment to keep my field in shape I would invest in a few sheep to keep the grass down, not only would they save me money and give me some lamb for the table but they would be less work than lawnmowing, strimming weedkilling and so on....... How little did I realise that that decision would lead me down the road to what has become a very enjoyable hobby but the main question to ask is did they do the job?


Do they keep the grass down? absolutely

Are they cost effective? No question compared to the investment I need for a lawnmower and upkeep Yes and I get a good return in lamb

Are they less work? Well in a way yes and in a way no but I would far rather be looking after a few sheep than mowing the lawn believe me.

Are they eco friendly? Now this is an interesting question if I was vegetarian ( which I'm not) I might at this point be rather concerned that my fluffy little grass munchers were in some way contributing to the earths global warming. You may have heard about the danger to the world from the production of methane gas from cows? I'm not sure how much "gas" the little sheepies put out but its an interesting argument heres another though. How much do all the petrol mowers contribute to global warming? Tricky question then, are sheep really green?

Well they are known as the "tondeuse ecologique" ( ecofriendly lawnmowers) so I guess thats a good start. I came across this site the other day Its a canadian site and interestingly mentions using ouessant sheep as mini lawnmowers to save lawnmower emissions. Having started out getting my sheep to keep the grass down, I know they save me money. The cost of getting the paddock mown and kept tidy is quite high I am already quids in. If I am also helping reduce my carbon footprint then I guess this has to be a good thing. Spurned on by my lawn mowing sheepy success ( and because I needed to divert more space to keeping sheep my hobby appears to be growing) I decided to devote some of my hitherto optimisticaly referrred to lawn to the sheep. Not quite as mad as it sounds I have about an acre of grass which is mown regularly but its also quite wild and is backed onto by a small copse .I have in the past allowed much of it to grow reasonably uncared for as it has lots of wild orchids in. Sadly the infiltration of bracken meant it had to go back to being mowed very regularly. This year I decided to give the sheep a try its a project in progress so I will try to update you as to the return of the wild flower meadow and how the ouessants have done their bit for being green. At the moment they have grazed off the winter growth and the primroses are just begining to recover. I have done some work on getting back into the copse by cutting back the brambles and nettles time will tell how well they can cope with this but will take some snapshots to keep a record of progress.

Colours in Ouessant Sheep

I thought I would try and put together a few ramblings on the colours you will find in ouessant sheep and later some of the more up to date developments so part one of at least a two part post.

Breed Standard
the breed standard recognises
Black (noire) Black brown (noire brunissante)
White (blanche)
and
Brown ( noisette or brune / marron)
in the more recent shows they have put in classes for "other" colours and at least one grey has been shown, more of that later.

The original or traditional colours of Ouessants. If you ask many a local in Brittany what colour a Mouton d'Ouessant is they will say black, the colour is synonomous with the breed. The first record of colours of sheep on the island is in a text by Gustav Geffroy who wrote of black and white ouessants as early as 1897. The modern ouessant breed is a ressurection of a type of sheep found all over Brittany as detailed in " The Animal Genetics Resources Bulletin" this is a compilation of texts published in 1992 but quotes from original texts going back as far as 1887. Not only are black sheep there but brown and grey with a number of sheep having white caps and a red / brown sheep with patches of white most likely a white sheep with a heavy red factor. The sheep of the region are the same sheep as found on the island, although there is no doubt the ones on the island were bred in great numbers with probably a high degree of inbreeding and selection for colour.

Some rare examples of brown ouessants have been recorded since the very early days when Mr Paul Abbé and his friends formed GEMO and started to record breed numbers and set about trying to conserve the breed. There have also been cases of grey ouessants and other colour variations recorded over time but no one has ever really attempted to classify or define the origins of the colour or indeed the actual colour genotypes. This changed in 2007 with the launch of a study by COGOVICA/COGNOSAG into the wool colour of Ouessant Sheep, until the results are publishedand things will hopefully become a lot clearer, I will attempt to illustrate and identify the basics.

Lets start with Black Ouessants, it is the predominant colour, the reason suggested, is it is due to selection by the women of Ouessant for their spinning, they were traditionally dressed in black, as were many women of the region. The reason it is a curious colour to dominate, is black is in genetic terms a recessive colour. One explanation may be colour selection or another may be a gene known to reverse the dominance of some colours and patterns and is referred to as dominant black, time will tell if it is one or both reasons that is truly responsible.

So, to illustrate a black ouessant and a black ouessant with a brownish element ( noire brunissante)
These two rams are both yearlings, so there is no difference in age The one has clearly a black fleece the other the ends are brown and this is as a result of sun bleaching, it is quite common in ouessants and is often markedly familial. The sunbleaching is not judged a fault and I have found although the fleeces sunbleach they are in general the softer fleeces so the two types persist.

White Ouessant

The breed standard calls for a clear white, an allowance is made for a small amount of red or phaeomelanin appearing at the nape of the neck or head. Ocasionally they are born with some light red colouration on their legs as well, generally light colouration will tend to fade as they grow. Some are born with a much greater degree of red colouring, its considered a breed fault and can be as much as an all over red, on top of the white ( white sheep with heavy phaeomelanin) all part of the diversity that is within the breed.

Brown Ouessant

This is a brown ouessant ewe, her fleece also sunbleaches to quite a degree so although her fleece looks quite light her head is dark when shorn she will be a much darker brown. Brown is the most recessive colour and so for this reason alone it is harder to come by, it requires that both parents carry the brown gene in order for the lamb to be born brown.

Age greying

This ewe is a typical black ouessant with some sun bleaching of her fleece but in addition she has extensive age greying, the distribution of age greying can vary and is often seen on the britches shoulder blades and sometimes on the face or muzzle and sometimes as in this case pretty much all over the body. The gradual lightening of her fleece started at about four years of age. Age greying is an inherited trait and is thought to be dominant. Age greying is entirely different from a genetically grey sheep although they may have a similar appearance ( phenotype) unless you look closely.

Colour Dominance
White is dominant to both black and brown
Black is recessive to white and dominant to brown
Brown is recessive to both black and white.

Spots! I sometimes get queries on lambs being born with a white patch of hair on their heads, this is quite common and is recognised in the breed standard. It is thought to possibly be an indication that the sheep carry the spotting gene, certainly it is a recessive trait but doesn't mean your ouessants aren't pure bred. Spots can occur on any colour sheep so both black and brown lambs may have a white head as long as the colour fades to a barely imperceptible few white hairs as they grow, it is allowed under the breed standard. White sheep may also have a white spot, you just can't see it.

So, these are the recognised and "official" colours as denoted by the french breed society GEMO and GEMO are the point of reference for most breeders and indeed other breed societies. In recent times other colours have come to light whether these are all original colours or the result of crosses to introduce greater colour variety is a point of debate but none the less they are there; I will put together some points on the other colour varieties to include grey ouessants ( from the agouti grey) and also start to explore the possibility of modified colours and other original colour variations not previously described by the breed society but acknowledged to exist within the breed .......... later.

Ouessant Sheep on the move

Photo Courtesy of "Bérengère"

Olijfje van de Twizelhoeve

Link to Olivias' Online Pedigree
Olivia is a brown ( noisette) ouessant Height 45.00 cm subject to confirmation with GEMO
Colour genotype Aa/Aa Bb/Bb SS/S? E?/E? (MM/Mm?)
Scrapie Genotype ARR/ARR

She is in lamb to Lieuwe online pedigree
Scrapie Genotype ARR/ARR

Ciska van de Twizelhoeve

Link to Ciskas online pedigree
Ciska is a brown (noisette) Ouessant height 45.00 cm subject to confirmation with GEMO
Colour Genotype Aa/Aa Bb/Bb SS/S? E?/E? (MM/Mm?)
Scrapie Genotype ARR/ARR

The Sheep and Forests of Ouessant! 1901

Just an amazing article written in 1901 click on the photo to enlarge to read the text it makes fascinating reading. Yet again a reference to the sheep and their size "Scarcely twice as large as hares" Sadly I don't know from which paper it comes.

Katy and Gwenn

Help Katy needs a playmate! It looks like Gwenn just isn't willing to play. Shame, shes soo cute!

An Island of Women 1907

I came across this article written in 1907 for the original published format click on the title written for a publication in New Zealand. It seems the Island of Ouessant was a curiosity worldwide

AN ISLAND OF WOMEN.

' A visitor to Ouessant, off the Brittany coast, will see few, if any, Ouessantais. All that he will see are Ouessantaises — women of Ouessant, harvesting. The men are at sea. The women do all the work of the land, I and one may see them in their quaint short black petticoats, their tight bodices, their black kerchiefs on their heads, binding and carrying corn and bending in strenuous labor over the flail. The men of Ouessant do no farm work. They belong to the sea, and the sea is a jealous mistress. At fifteen the lads go off as sailors. Then they serve in the navy. When the navy sets them free they usually re-enlist so , as to earn a pension when they are too old to work. Others are in the merchant service, and all navy men and merchant men, are married. A very few are fishermen, but they are at sea ; nearly always, and you will rarely meet them about the island. When the sea is too rough they sit and watch her. They do not know or do not care about the land. The land is woman's business. One sees this idea in the women costumes and in their hair, which they wear short, as the man peasants of old time used to wear it. They are straight, well-built, handsome women, dark, with big brown or slate-colored eyes. They are entirely unlike the Breton women of the mainland, and look more like Italians. They are calm and dignified, and kindly to the stranger, and they are afraid of nothing except the photographer. They do not like photographers, for they fear that their pictures may go abroad on postcards, and that they would not like.

When news comes of a loss at sea — and such news often comes — the widow and friends of the dead man hold a wake. In the living room of the little cottage a small waxen cross, called the "Proella," is put on a clean napkin in the centre of a table, and round it are placed a few' lighted candles. The dead man's relatives and friends are there, and a nun reads a chapter from the Lives of the Saints and mumbles prayers for the dead. In the morning the priest comes with his incense swingers for the Proella, aud gives absolution at the house door . The little church bell sounds the glas, or funeral knell. The widow, followed by the priest and her friends, carries the Proella down to the church. Then' there are prayers, and everybody kisses the small waxen cross, and on 'the following day after Ash Wednesday, ' the Proella is carried to the cemetery, where it is placed with many others in a special place. All round the resting-place of the Proella are tombstones. And the names on the tombstones are names of women only. For all the Ouessant men have died at sea. —St. James' Budget.

Photo courtesy D Morzynski Date unknown
Note the clogs a tradition in Brittany and even today people can be found still wearing clogs. By the time this was taken the original sheep of the Island were clearly on the wane.

Ouessant L'ile de L'Epouvante - The Island of Terror

Photo courtesy Ushant Island
This tiny island has struck fear into many sailors hearts over the centuries, even today it is encircled by lighthouses. The Creac'h lighthouse has a range of over 36 miles, certainly the most powerful in europe and is often quoted as reputedly the worlds strongest lighthouse. It is no accident, this island is known for wrecking ships and the raging storms that race across the atlantic are only slowed when they reach the island of Ouessant. The sharp rocky granite cliffs and promentaries of the island continue unseen under the sea to catch the unwary or foolhardy sailor who ventures too close. Winds are regularly recorded of up to 130 km/h and many a ship has foundered on its shores helplessly blown off course in violent seas. The islanders of Ouessant are undoubtedly hardy people and have often profited in the past from bounty strewn across the beaches after a wreck. A race of mariners whose understanding and affinity with the sea pervades their whole lives and being. In modern times this relationship continues, in 1988 the seas around Ouessant were declared by UNESCO part of a biosphere reserve such is the uniqueness of its marine ecology. In 2007 France declared the the seas around the archipelago, its first national marine park Parc Naturel Marin D'Iroise affording the area a greater degree of protection and in recognition of the rich diversity of plant and marine life. Administrated by the Parc Naturel Regional D'Armorique . Ouessant was established as part of France's second national park in 1969 There is no doubt the island of Ouessant is a veritable jewel in the crown of such an exceptional region.

The diving off the seas of the island is well known and a must for many. So it seems that this desolate, rugged and bleak island has a richness and diversity of flora and fauna that can only come with its isolation and exposed location and what was a source of terrible hardship for the islanders has become a positive asset. Today tourism and in particular eco-tourism is a vibrant and vital part of island life.
With a huge thanks to "John" from the island for allowing me to use his photos and for more of Ouessant visit his site

The Original Sheep of Ouessant

Once again courtesy of D Morzynski text from the "Voyage à Ouessant" Writtn by Gustave Geffroy and first published in 1897 so the text must have been written before that date; The proof that the Ouessants of the island must have existed in both black and white colours since before 1897. Click on the photo text to enlarge to be able to read the original french version.

The text makes very sad reading

"And everywhere sheep, more and always sheep , blacks and whites, small, lively, attached two by two by a long cord, worried, going back and forth.
There are five thousand on the island always outside, come summer or winter There are no shelters to house them. There were little constructed triangular windbreaks, of low walls, spreading out from a central point, behind which the sheep could shelter, choosing the side according to the direction of the wind. They sought refuge in the hollows and where the vegetation was highest and thickest. In the hard months of December and January they died in their hundreds.

Certainly the poor animals are returned to the wild, not changed into wolves but they have become shrewd and cunning,