Cotswold Sheep

There are more than 200 breeds of domestic sheep currently in existence.  All of these were developed from the wild sheep of Europe and Asia.  Although their exact ancestry is unclear, it is thought that domestic sheep descended primarily from two wild stocks; the Moufflons, Ovis musimon and Ovis orientalis, and the Asiatic Urial, Ovis vignei.

DESCRIPTION

The Cotswold Sheep is usually white, though black specimens have been recorded. Called “Gentle Giants”, they are one of the largest sheep breeds, with rams (males) averaging around 300 pounds and ewes (females) weighing up to 200 pounds. They are noted for their long, coarse fleece of naturally wavy curls and the tuft of longer wool on their foreheads. Ewes are considered to be excellent mothers, and all Cotswolds are good foragers for food.

HISTORY

The Cotswold Sheep is a dual-use breed, providing both meat and wool. It comes from the hills of the Cotswolds in England, less than 20 miles from the Welsh border, and is thought to be descended from long-wool sheep introduced into the area by the Romans 2000 years ago. It was a valuable sheep during the Middle Ages, profits from wool sales providing funds to build many churches, cathedrals, and homes in its area of origin. These sheep, like many other domestic varieties of animals, are totally dependent on humans.  They are completely unable to survive on their own in the wild.

NATURAL HISTORY

Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated by man approximately 8,000 years ago.  Sheep were first raised for their skins and meat, but as humans learned to spin and weave, sheep became valuable for their wool as well.  The behavior as well as the appearance of domestic sheep have been altered by centuries of selected breeding for desirable traits. 

CONSERVATION

An organization known as the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy was formed to help save rare breeds of livestock. There are currently close to 80 breeds of livestock which are considered to be endangered, with various classifications within this listing. The Cotswold Sheep’s official status is listed as threatened, meaning there are fewer than 1000 annual registrations or less than 5000 registrations globally. There is currently concern that selection pressures could lead to the loss of once standard Cotswold traits.

MEET OUR SHEEP

The Nature Center currently has two Cotswold sheep, one ram (male) and one ewe (female).  Trooper and Stitch were born in March 2002, and are litter mates. The sheep live on our Educational Farm, spending their days in the petting area and coming into the barn at night to sleep.  Their diet consists of a combination of high quality hay and sweet feed (a commercial mixture of grains, molasses, and other ingredients),  along with mineral salts, which they lick to get vitamins and other nutrients.

SOURCES

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

Wikipedia

Cotswold Breeders’ Association