Debouillet (sheep)
Encyclopedia
The Debouillet is a breed of domestic sheep
originating in the U.S. state of New Mexico
. It was developed in the 1920's through crossing Rambouillet
and Delaine Merino
sheep, and the breed's name is a portmanteau of these two ancestors. This breed is primarily raise for its wool
.
Mature ewes will weigh from 125 lb (57 kg) to 160 lb (73 kg) and ram will weigh from 175 lb (79 kg) to 250 lb (113 kg).
The fleece from mature ewes will weight from 10 lb (4.5 kg) to 18 lb (8.1 kg) with a 35% to 50% yield. The stable length of the fleece is from 3 inches (7.5 cm) to 5 inches (12.5 cm) with a numerical count of 62 to 80 which is 18.5 to 23.5 micrometres diameter.
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
originating in the U.S. state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. It was developed in the 1920's through crossing Rambouillet
Rambouillet
Rambouillet is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France.It is located in the suburbs of Paris southwest from the center...
and Delaine Merino
Delaine Merino
The Delaine Merino is a type of Merino sheep predominant in North America. It has fewer skin wrinkles than some types of Merino, but still has a fine, oily fleece that extends through the legs. They are hardy and long–lived, with an ability to thrive on the arid ranges of the Southwest United...
sheep, and the breed's name is a portmanteau of these two ancestors. This breed is primarily raise for its wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
.
Characteristics
Specifically adapted to the arid ranges of the Southwestern U.S., the breed is medium–size sheep with long, fine wool. Ewes are polled and rams may or may not have horns.Mature ewes will weigh from 125 lb (57 kg) to 160 lb (73 kg) and ram will weigh from 175 lb (79 kg) to 250 lb (113 kg).
The fleece from mature ewes will weight from 10 lb (4.5 kg) to 18 lb (8.1 kg) with a 35% to 50% yield. The stable length of the fleece is from 3 inches (7.5 cm) to 5 inches (12.5 cm) with a numerical count of 62 to 80 which is 18.5 to 23.5 micrometres diameter.
External links
- Debouillet sheep at the American Sheep Industry Association website