The Black Welsh Mountain Breed
The Black Welsh Mountain breed originated in the mountains of Wales from black sheep within the Welsh Mountain breed. About a century ago, Welsh shepherds began to breed the black sheep together, also selecting for a finer fleece and improved body conformation. The resulting breed, called Black Welsh Mountain, was recognized in 1922 with the establishment of the Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Society.
Black Welsh Mountain sheep are small to medium in size. Rams have attractive horns that curl around the ears, while ewes are polled. The wool is short, thick, and densely stapled. The staple length is 8-10 cm, and the micron count ranges between 48s-56s. The average wool clip is three to four pounds per sheep. Black Welsh Mountain wool is attractive to hand-spinners. The natural black color makes it valuable for use un-dyed or in combination with other wool, when it is used to make grays or in the manufacture of tweeds and other patterns.
The breed is known for its hardiness and self-reliance, qualities which were important its native environment. Black Welsh Mountain sheep are also excellent foragers and excellent mothers, able to raise lambs on marginal pasture. Black Welsh Mountain market lamb is considered a premium meat in Britain.
Black Welsh Mountain sheep were first imported into North America in 1972 by Thomas Wyman of Easton, Maryland. The U.S. breed registry was established in 1990, adopting the standard and rules of the British Society. It is includes animals that are descendants of the Wye Heights flock and other registered British sheep.
The breed has been promoted as an exotic sheep in North America, and this has made the Black Welsh Mountain a well-kept secret in the sheep industry and among sheep producers. Its qualities, however, make the breed a natural choice for sustainable sheep producers. The Black Welsh Mountain should become better known as it is used in this production niche. The Black Welsh Mountain, while rare in North America, is not globally endangered given the size of its British population. See http://www.blackwelsh.org/ for more information on the Black Welsh Mountain Breed.
Black Welsh Mountain sheep are small to medium in size. Rams have attractive horns that curl around the ears, while ewes are polled. The wool is short, thick, and densely stapled. The staple length is 8-10 cm, and the micron count ranges between 48s-56s. The average wool clip is three to four pounds per sheep. Black Welsh Mountain wool is attractive to hand-spinners. The natural black color makes it valuable for use un-dyed or in combination with other wool, when it is used to make grays or in the manufacture of tweeds and other patterns.
The breed is known for its hardiness and self-reliance, qualities which were important its native environment. Black Welsh Mountain sheep are also excellent foragers and excellent mothers, able to raise lambs on marginal pasture. Black Welsh Mountain market lamb is considered a premium meat in Britain.
Black Welsh Mountain sheep were first imported into North America in 1972 by Thomas Wyman of Easton, Maryland. The U.S. breed registry was established in 1990, adopting the standard and rules of the British Society. It is includes animals that are descendants of the Wye Heights flock and other registered British sheep.
The breed has been promoted as an exotic sheep in North America, and this has made the Black Welsh Mountain a well-kept secret in the sheep industry and among sheep producers. Its qualities, however, make the breed a natural choice for sustainable sheep producers. The Black Welsh Mountain should become better known as it is used in this production niche. The Black Welsh Mountain, while rare in North America, is not globally endangered given the size of its British population. See http://www.blackwelsh.org/ for more information on the Black Welsh Mountain Breed.
Lambs for Sale
Lambs and yearlings available for sale
We currently have a one small starter flock and a couple of yearling rams available for sale. Use the contact us page to inquire about sheep for sale. When available, all of the lambs for sale are pure bred and able to be registered. Registration with the American Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Association is included with the sale unless otherwise requested by the customer.
We currently have a one small starter flock and a couple of yearling rams available for sale. Use the contact us page to inquire about sheep for sale. When available, all of the lambs for sale are pure bred and able to be registered. Registration with the American Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Association is included with the sale unless otherwise requested by the customer.