Welcome to the home of Spered Breizh Ouessants. The name is in Breton and translates to "Spirit of Brittany". The breed of sheep "moutons d'Ouessant" originate from ( funnily enough) the ïle d'Ouessant, part of a tiny island archipelago just off the north coast of Finistere, Brittany. These rufty tufty sheep survived on poor grazing from salty clifftop meadows and through a process of natural selection adapted perfectly to the rigours of the atlantic coast. It is also claimed that it was the women of the island who cared for the sheep whilst the men were away at sea for long periods of time. The women found their diminuative size much easier to handle and so the breed was born.....................
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Make no mistake this is a white lamb but when experimenting with colour and pattern this is one that I was hoping for. At last!
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4 comments:
Really? That's all phaeo? It's such a pretty color!
Hi Michelle it is pretty isn't it. I'm afraid it is only phaeo so will fade but now that I am producing this colour lamb expect some more with deeper colour that hopefully will be longer lasting watch this space ( well for next year!)
What's phaeo? It is a pretty colour and you're saying it will fade to white?
By the way Stuart has just completed his sheep shearing course in England and was given the first certificate as he managed to do three in half an hour with the fleeces al coming off in one! I'm so proud!
Gabrielle
Hi Gabrielle phaeomelanin is the red pigment ( think irish setter red)as opposed to eumelanin which is responsible for black and the brown pigment of noisette or brown ouessants. Phao is light sensitive especially in wool and this one will fade in sunlight he doesn't look as red even now, he will go white. I am playing with the colours and hope to push the boundries a little to see how far things will go ...we'll see. and well done to Stuart!! His new found talent will come in very useful!!
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