June 1, 2009

Magical, Mystical Grey Ouessant Wool!

It's hard not to fall in love with grey ouessants!

They are simply
Beautiful.
Magical.
Mystical.

I love them.
Even my husband is smitten
by their beguiling beauty!

And the wool is just indescribable!




I'm not going to say anything about the genetics of these lovely sheep as more experienced breeders have covered that subject.

Check out Dominique's blog (in French) for more information on grey ouessant sheep (do a search for gris).

His particular interest in this rare (recessive) color has helped insure their survival! All breeders of ouessant sheep owe him their gratitude.




The theory of modified colors is a working model that seems to accurately describe this same phenomenon in Shetland sheep. It isn't surprising that this same phenotype/genotype is found in ouessant sheep as they both belong to the group of Northern European Short-Tailed Sheep.

Last week I soaked the small amount of wool I could salvaged from Dagobert's fleece.

Dagobert's fleece drying.
Aren't those colors just beautiful?
And this is a 3 year old ram!!

Black, Grey & White Ouessant Wool
Combed and ready to spin!

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