Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep

The Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Welsh Defaid Idloes [ˈdevaɪd ˈɪdlɔɪs]; also known as Badger Faced Welsh Mountain or Welsh Badger-faced) is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed of domestic sheep bred for sheep farming in Wales.[1] It is a hardy upland breed known for producing a high percentage of twins and triplets under good conditions. It appears in two sub-varieties of its own: the Torddu ([tɔrˈðiː], "black-bellied"), which has a white fleece with dark face and belly, and the Torwen ([tɔrˈwɛn], "white-bellied"), which has a black body with a white belly and white stripes over the eyes.[2] The Torddu is the more common of the two types. In both types, ewes are polled and rams are horned.[3] Although this breed grows wool, it is primarily raised for meat.[4]

A Torddu Badgerface Welsh Mountain ewe in Wales
A Torwen Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep, showing white belly and face markings
A flock of Torwen Badger Face Welsh Mountain

Characteristics

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This breed is extremely hardy and able to graze rough hills and terrain. On average at maturity, rams weigh 55 kg (121 lb) and ewes 45 kg (99 lb).[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Welsh Mountain Badger Face". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2010-06-06. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  2. ^ "Badger Face Welsh Mountain". nationalsheep.org.uk. The National Sheep Association. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  3. ^ "Badger Face Welsh Mountain". Sheep Breeds A - Ba. Sheep101.info. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  4. ^ a b "Badger Faced Welsh Mountain/United Kingdom". Breed description. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
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