Devon Closewool

Devon Closewool

The Devon Closewool is a breed of the domestic sheep originating in the Exmoor region of southwest England.[1][2] This breed is raised primarily for meat.[3] It was developed in the late 19th century by crossing native Exmoor ewes with a Devon Longwool ram. A breed society was formed in 1923, and the first flocks registered dated back to 1894. It has since expanded its range in to neighboring regions.

The Devon Closewool is a white faced sheep with a dense, medium-length fleece.[4] Both rams and ewes are naturally polled. The Devon Closewool is a medium size sheep, with average ewes weigh 55 kg (121 lbs) to 60 kg (132 lbs) and rams weigh 90 kg (198 lbs).[5] It is a breed with a stout, symmetrical appearance that is hardy and suited to open grasslands and heaths in upland territory.

References

  1. ^ "Devon Closewool". york.ac.uk. The Sheep Trust. http://www.york.ac.uk/org/cnap/tst/breeds/devoncw.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  2. ^ "Devon Closewool Sheep". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science. http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/devonclosewool/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  3. ^ "Devon Closewool/United Kingdom". Breed Data Sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information Service. http://dad.fao.org/. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
  4. ^ Susan Schoenian Sheep & Goat Specialist, University of Maryland. "Devon Closewool". Sheep Breeds D-F. http://www.sheep101.info/breedsD-F.html. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  5. ^ "Devon Closewool". Heritage Sheep. http://www.heritagesheep.eu/Devon%20Closewool.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 

External links


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