Welsh Mountain (sheep)

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The Welsh Mountain sheep can be termed as an umbrella description to describe many of the breeds indigenous to Wales. Through breeding and selection over the centuries, the Welsh Mountain has developed into many distinct breeds; the Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep being one of these.

Contents 1 Appearance 2 Etymology 3 Origins 4 Characteristics

[edit] Appearance

The Balwen sheep has a base colour of black, brown or dark grey. It has a white blaze on the face, four distinct white feet (referred to as 'socks'), and a half to two-thirds white tail. All Balwen should be of a good Welsh Mountain type of sheep. All males have horns, whilst all females are naturally polled.

[edit] Etymology

The name BALWEN comes from the Welsh meanings 'BAL = Having a white spot on the forehead' and 'WEN = White'. This translation suggests that the original Balwens, instead of having a white blaze, would have had a white spot on their forehead. This would explain why many of the original strains tend to return to the type of their progenitor, by replacing a blaze with a white poll only.

[edit] Origins

Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep originate from one small area of Wales - the Tywi valley. Because of this, during the disastrous winter of 1947, the breed was nearly wiped out. The breed was at its lowest ebb, with only one ram surviving. Therefore, presumably all Balwen sheep are somehow related, however it is possible that surviving ewes could have been pregnant with lambs sired by rams that did not survive the winter. Also, outcrossing with other types of Welsh Mountain sheep is sure to have occurred, which would have ensured the genetic viability of the breed, preventing inbreeding to a dangerous level. During the 1950’s and 60’s a steady increase took place, and in the 1970’s people outside the valley began to take an interest in the breed. The Balwen Welsh Mountain Breed Society was formed in 1985. Now under the protective wing of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, where it is listed as a 'vulnerable' breed, numbers are gradually increasing.

[edit] Characteristics

It is becoming popular among smallholders and farmers alike, mainly due to its pretty markings, hardiness, ease of care and excellent meat. The ewes make excellent mothers, having very few lambing problems and plenty of milk to feed the lambs. At their first lambing, most ewes have single lambs. But after that, under the right conditions many twin, and some have even reared triplets. Their wool is graded as 'soft/medium', and with a medium length staple of 5 - 7.5 cm (micron count 32.3), it is easy to spin.