Scottish Blackface

[Sheepdog]

They truly are unique and very pretty sheep. They certainly stand out. If I were into wool sheep, I think I would be very interested in these sheep. But I have meat sheep. I have always wanted Scottish Highland cattle, but way too hot where I live to have them..... but if I lived up north, I would have both.... Scottish Highland Cattle and Scottish Blackface sheep.

 

[RustyDHart]

Thanks, I've always loved the breed......I can't wait 'til the lambs start dropping in a couple of months. I should have about 40 or so lambs this year.... I had 97 Scottish Blackface lambs born in 2009......busy year with over 160 total here on the farm.

 

[77Herford]

I still can't get over how nice your Sheep look. Perfect little mounds of curly wool and those uniform black faces.

Are they easy to shear? What is their Wool score?

 

[RustyDHart]

Thanks 77 Herford..... If you look closer you can see that this breed doesn't have uniform colored faces.....no two have the same face and leg pattern. Some do have all black faces...but most have black and white patterned markings. They are a medium size breed with a longer coarse wool.....I've had a staple length of over 12 inches.... I'm not too sure of the micron fiber size.....most have a thicker diameter...I'm breeding for fineness and length of wool. Not many people doing the breed justice genetics wise in this country. I'm trying..... The following collage shows many different faces of SBF...the ugly one in the middle is me....

 

[77Herford]

Thanks 77 Herford..... If you look closer you can see that this breed doesn't have uniform colored faces.....no two have the same face and leg pattern. Some do have all black faces...but most have black and white patterned markings. They are a medium size breed with a longer coarse wool.....I've had a staple length of over 12 inches.... I'm not too sure of the micron fiber size.....most have a thicker diameter...I'm breeding for fineness and length of wool. Not many people doing the breed justice genetics wise in this country. I'm trying..... The following collage shows many different faces of SBF...the ugly one in the middle is me....http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3034_collage15_3.jpg

Yeah, I was wondering about the odd ball in the middle.

 

[Bossroo]

Thanks 77 Herford..... If you look closer you can see that this breed doesn't have uniform colored faces.....no two have the same face and leg pattern. Some do have all black faces...but most have black and white patterned markings. They are a medium size breed with a longer coarse wool.....I've had a staple length of over 12 inches.... I'm not too sure of the micron fiber size.....most have a thicker diameter...I'm breeding for fineness and length of wool. Not many people doing the breed justice genetics wise in this country. I'm trying..... The following collage shows many different faces of SBF...the ugly one in the middle is me....http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3034_collage15_3.jpg

Yeah, I was wondering about the odd ball in the middle.

It is odd that the one in the middle only has dark and white facial markings but is polled... not quite to the standard !

 

[77Herford]

 

[RustyDHart]

.....I agree......and the older I get....the more wool I have growing on my face.....in my ears.....on my back.....everywhere but on my head....... It must be an age thing......(?):/ This is "Pollyanna"....a much nicer animal to look at than me.....

 

[ragdollcatlady]

I think I'm in love!!!.....Poor husband....and it"s all your fault....why must you show me such beautiful animals....Oh I am sooooo in trouble if I ever have enough money to drive to....where are you RustyDHart...Michigan?.... Sheep huh...and I'm just getting fully into being addicted to goats...sigh....
Kat

 

[RustyDHart]

Hello Kat..... I had goats....but I've always wanted Scottish Blackface sheep..... I got my first start with the breed June 15th, 1996.....and I'll always have them. There are a few dedicated breeders through out the country where you might find some closer to you....(?) Where are you located? Here is a photo of "Phoenix" ....her photos are posted other places as well......I like her face pattern....but this color of face is not bred for in Scotland....they prefer the blacker faces with grey muzzles and grey eyebrow marks above the eyes... It makes it easier to identify each sheep when they have their own individual face pattern. Enjoy!!!

BTW....Phoenix is also in the collage above in the upper right hand corner eating a cabbage leaf..... her son is also in the collage... He's the one in the photo just to the left of my picture with the whiter face (like his mother) standing side by side with his half brother.