California Red Sheep Characteristics

California Reds are a medium size sheep with the rams weighing from 200- 250 pounds and the ewes averaging 140-150 pounds, although we have owned a rare few ewes topping 200 lbs. California Red Sheep are celebrated for the magnificent red manes often carried by the rams; occasionally ewes will exhibit a subdued version of the red mane. All California Red sheep are polled. The lambs are usually born with a red hair coat, a color that is retained on the legs and head of the mature animal after the wool comes through which is beige to oatmeal in color. By adulthood, the legs are free of wool to the knees and hocks and sometimes the bellies. The heads of both sexes are bold and strong with the muzzles fine, the ears are long and pendulous, emphasizing the animal’s attractive appearance. California Red Sheep are generally easy keepers doing quite well on marginal pasture. In a pasture situation creep feeding lambs is not necessary. The ewes are possessive mothers, usually producing twins, and are exceptionally good milkers with udder areas being virtually free of wool; so that even the most timid lambs are able to nurse easily. Their milk is high in milk solids making them excellent candidates for home dairy use. California Reds breed year-round and ewes can lamb three times in two years. The meat from California Red Sheep is mild, flavorful and lean combined with their positive response to pasture-raising makes them ideal for the grass- fed movement. An additional bonus of this breed is a fleece highly prized by handspinning enthusiasts. Their wool is medium to fine with small soft red hairs interspersed within the fleece which spins into an exquisite heathery or tweedy yarn. The red hairs accept dye more quickly than the wool; therefore, even dyed yarns have a tweed appearance. The most outstanding characteristic of this breed is its endearing disposition. They are friendly and easy to work with when handled quietly. Overall we have found the California Red Sheep to be a remarkable and all around versatile breed of sheep. Shear Perfection Ranch is dedicated to preserving them for future generations.

Rare Breed Conservation and New Breed Development

California Red Sheep

Characteristics

California Reds are a medium size sheep with the rams weighing from 200-250 pounds and the ewes averaging 140-150 pounds, although we have owned a rare few ewes topping 200 lbs. California Red Sheep are celebrated for the magnificent red manes often carried by the rams; occasionally ewes will exhibit a subdued version of the red mane. All California Red sheep are polled. The lambs are usually born with a red hair coat, a color that is retained on the legs and head of the mature animal after the wool comes through which is beige to oatmeal in color. By adulthood, the legs are free of wool to the knees and hocks and sometimes the bellies. The heads of both sexes are bold and strong with the muzzles fine, the ears are long and pendulous, emphasizing the animal’s attractive appearance. California Red Sheep are generally easy keepers doing quite well on marginal pasture. In a pasture situation creep feeding lambs is not necessary. The ewes are possessive mothers, usually producing twins, and are exceptionally good milkers with udder areas being virtually free of wool; so that even the most timid lambs are able to nurse easily. Their milk is high in milk solids making them excellent candidates for home dairy use. California Reds breed year-round and ewes can lamb three times in two years. The meat from California Red Sheep is mild, flavorful and lean combined with their positive response to pasture-raising makes them ideal for the grass-fed movement. An additional bonus of this breed is a fleece highly prized by handspinning enthusiasts. Their wool is medium to fine with small soft red hairs interspersed within the fleece which spins into an exquisite heathery or tweedy yarn. The red hairs accept dye more quickly than the wool; therefore, even dyed yarns have a tweed appearance. The most outstanding characteristic of this breed is its endearing disposition. They are friendly and easy to work with when handled quietly. Overall we have found the California Red Sheep to be a remarkable and all around versatile breed of sheep. Shear Perfection Ranch is dedicated to preserving them for future generations.