In 1970 Dr. Glen Spurlock began crossing Tunis and Barbados sheep in David, California. Aime and Paulette Soulier of Winters, CA acquired these crossbreds and developed them into the California Red Sheep Breed.

 

California Reds are medium-sized sheep, the rams weighing from 200-250 pounds and the ewes from 110-140 pounds. The rams sometimes have manes and both sexes are polled. The breed is non-seasonal and can be bred for three lamb crops in two years. The lambs are born red, a color that is retained on the legs and head as mature animals. At maturity the fleeces turn a beige or oatmeal color. The legs and faces are free of wool with long pendulous ears which emphasize the animal's appearance.

 

The wool is silky in texture and has found a specialty market with hand spinners and weavers. The staple length is three to six inches and the wool has a Bradford count of 50-60.

 

 

References

Pamphlet, California Red Sheep Registry, Inc., Janice Altomare, Registrar, 1850 Reilly Road, Merced, California 95340.

Phone: (209) 725-0340.

Email: caredsheep@caredsheep.com

 

Mason, I.L. 1988. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B. International. 348 pp.