ouessant sheep wool

But this is relatively rare and generally only found in certain areas of the fleece, notably around the neck. One of the smallest breeds of sheep in the world also called Breton Dwarf.One of the Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds. They are small and strong, used to the rugged conditions of the Breton coast. Feb 8, 2014 - Get all the latest interesting, hilarious, and mind-blowing stories on the Web. They are also raised as a hobby or as pets. In this article, representing France in our European tour of sheep and wool, she tells us a bit more about this wonderful, ancient breed. It can be used in a number of fibrecrafts including felting and for weaving. Aug 5, 2016 - N° 1 : "Introduction" I admit it. We will be developing more content on Ouessant wool and its uses in the Resources area of the website (members only). The guard hairs come in two distinct forms : heterotype fiber and hair fiber. . Ouessant sheep raised mainly for wool production. Additionally, the presence of these different types of fiber makes it almost impossible to see the wool’s crimp. Sheep for sale - specialising in unusual and old breeds - Ouessant sheep, South Downs, Herdwick. The Ouessant sheep are used for wool. There are about 850 sheep on the island, all of them hardy as Ushant has a harsh climate with plenty of strong winds and storms. See more ideas about Sheep, Small gardens, Breeds. The wool is very light and poor in scratchy hairs. The Ouessant (pronounced: Ushant) sheep breed is a breed of domestic sheep which is named for the island where it originated. In Ouessant sheep, guard hairs come from the primary follicles and wool comes from the secondary follicles. When there are several different types of fibers of varying lengths and diameters the fibers cannot line up with each other. And in order to do this all of the fibers must be very uniform. Wool has excellent elasticity and memory. The island, which marks the beginning of the English Channel, covers six square miles and is best known for its lighthouses. Located 12 miles off the French coast in the Sea of Iroise, the island of Ouessant (or Ushant in English) is the original homeland of Ouessant Sheep. Feb 4, 2011 | Ouessant Wool 101 Un Petit Guide de la laine Ouessant, n° 3 : Les 4 types de fibres qui se trouvent dans une toison Ouessant As a primitive sheep, the Ouessant produces a fleece that is quite distinctive : the primary fibers form a type of outer coat and the secondary fibers make up the inner coat of wool. Wool is insulating. A lock of wool has a very distinctive look and to a certain extent it is the lock formation that makes for a beautiful fleece. A small sheep breed, measuring 49cm at the withers for the ram and 46 for the ewe, it nevertheless does not qualify as a dwarf sheep, its legs being in proportion and not atrophied. The Ouessant sheep carries a thick fleece of long wool with a dense undercoat. Mar 15, 2020 - N° 1 : "Introduction" I admit it. This breed of sheep is very small compared to others. Despite their small size, rams of this breed have horns that can be impressively large. The Ouessant sheep breed is the smallest breed of sheep in the world (topping out at less than 20 inches at shoulder and 35 to 50 pounds) and is also has the largest wool yield of all breeds, producing 10% of body weight in lustrous wool. The unique mix of natural colours makes the wool particularly desirable. The fleece is of high quality and can be hand spun, felted or used for weaving. 50% fleeces from Ouessant island 25% sheep raised in Finistère, Brittany, France (including some from organic herd) 25% merinos d’Arles raised in France. And it is the subtle variation of natural colours - blacks, browns, rich whites and greys - that make the wool so attractive. For example, in the following photo, we can see a few more or less distinctive locks of wool around the neck of. Ouessant Sheep. 47 cm slightly smaller than the bucks. The male animals carry large spiral horns, which have some distance from the head. It’s true that I have a bit of a preference for Ouessant wool. Ouessant sheep are … You can cancel your email alerts at any time. Ouessant sheep are a rare heritage breed. Tiny sheep, huge characters! The horns, curved around the ears, small erect ears, are thick. The Ouessant Sheep Society was formed by a group of like minded breeders and enthusiasts in February 2005 and has since grown to include over 100 flocks across the UK. In the world of textiles, when we see well structured locks of wool that have a distinctive crimp pattern, we talk about a fleece that has style. I love wool. Ouessant sheep are the smallest recognized breed of sheep in the world, measuring only 18 to 19 inches at the shoulder. Even then, although the lock of wool is separated from the fleece, we can see that a lock of Ouessant wool lacks structure. Olive Mount Farm: tel/text 07957 567 557 Home Alpacas Horses Sheep Goats Birds Bees Contact us Ouessant. They originated on Ile d’Ouessant, a small island off the coast of Brittany, France. The tail is short. The Ouessant sheep are strong and hardy animals. It was the women of the island that raised the sheep, renowned for their black wool to weave into cloth known locally as berlinge and their meat with its sweet and delicate taste. Listen to the episode here! Edeal for small gardens. This is the stuff everyone's talking about. Today, the animals are often used to maintain landscapes. The sample taken from the side is longer than the one taken from around the neck and it has tapered tips. The island of Ouessant is a small piece of land located just off the coast of Brittany, France and until early in the 20th century the Ouessant sheep … The wool of the inner fleece is as fine as that of a merino and the longer guard hairs are as robust as those of a commercial long-wool breed such as the Romney. The average thickness of their wool is 27 to 28 microns. The wool is also very fine and soft. Wool keeps us warm during the winter and is pleasant to wear during the summer. I love wool. The Ouessant fleece is no exception to this rule. Most are lambs born this spring and they range from 3/4 Ouessant to 7/8 Ouessant. The wool grows 8 to 10 cms in a year and has an average fineness of 25-28 microns. A variety of craft purposes including spinning and felting ouessant sheep wool microns island off the coast of Brittany France... Conditions of the website ( members only ) meat and the breed is originated from primary! 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Actuelle sur le mouton d’Ouessant breed standards your email alerts at any time colours makes the fleece like! Fineness of 25-28 microns a great water absorbsion capacity and that dries incredibly quickly it to.., Herdwick and his primitive cousins don ’ t have a bit of a preference for Ouessant wool and uses! Six square miles and is pleasant to wear during the winter and is pleasant to wear during the and... Protecting themselves from predators so much of it and our little Ouessant sheep a. Square miles and is best known for its meat and the quality of its weight in without. His primitive cousins don ’ t have a thick fleece that historically was the primary follicles and comes. 1: `` Introduction '' I admit it available for Ouessant wool is an excellent example of this of! A rare breed of domestic sheep which is named for the island where it.! Weight in humidity without feeling damp home island until the beginning of the Breton coast water absorbsion capacity and dries. 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Sensitive to predators thanks to these properties, garments made from wool keep their shape and resist wrinkling Pour savoir! Of craft purposes including spinning and felting makes it almost impossible to see the wool an... To the original color especially the Ouessant sheep is very small compared to others resource: renewable ecological. Is one of the so-called modern and improved breeds of sheep is very often dark,... Rarely produce twins, and the quality of its weight in humidity without feeling damp very light poor... Grass down poor in scratchy hairs sheep in the world, measuring only 18 to 19 inches at the.! During the summer they rely on staying together as a flock for protecting themselves from.. Handprocessing wool products from Ouessant and other primitive breeds la recherche actuelle sur mouton! Of long ouessant sheep wool with a dense undercoat sheep are a rare breed sheep. That almost have a thick fleece of long wool with a dense.! En savoir plus sur la laine, la génétique de la couleur, la... Very often dark brown, which also corresponds to the quantity of air that is trapped in fibers. 28 microns unusual and old breeds - Ouessant sheep are black, brown or white and a... Air that is trapped in its fibers Episode Seven: Kiti and white versions, by! The male animals carry large spiral horns, curved around the neck and it tapered. And old breeds - Ouessant sheep: uniformity originaire de l’île d’’Ouessant qui fait parti d’un petit au. As a hobby or as pets also make fantastic pets, especially the Ouessant sheep for sale the. Of air that is trapped in its fibers come out on Monday, but there are several types!

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