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Navajo-Churro
sheep are a unique primitive breed of horned sheep with a rich history.
Descended from the Churra sheep brought to the continent by Spanish
explorers, they were traded to the Navajo Indians of what is now Arizona.
Efforts of the US Government to move the Navajo Indian onto reservations and
to "improve" the sheep led to their near extinction. Efforts to save
the breed have been ongoing and the Navajo-Churro are now listed with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
as "recovering".
The NCS are small and
very hardy sheep
that appear in a wide range of colors. Another unique feature of the NCS genetics
is that they possess the 4-horn (polycerate) gene
that has been lost to most breeds. They are very easy to raise and are
minimally affected by disease and parasitism.
NCS wool is
long, straight and lustrous. Average annual staple length is 12".
Navajo-Churro wool is prized for its durability and is most sought
after for use in rugs and outerwear. Yearling fleeces however may
sometimes be suitable for next-to-skin projects. NCS is a dual coated
breed with a longer "hair like" outer coat protecting the underlying wool.
Older animals will possess a coarser hair coat, while young yearling
fleeces hair coat is soft and fine.
For more
information on Navajo-Churro sheep, please visit:
The Navajo-Churro Sheep
Association
Our Navajo-Churro rams, Galeno
(left) and Flint (right).
Our
Navajo-Churro flock consists of...
| Rams |
Ewes |
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FRF Flint:
2002 white, 4-horned ram.
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Nina:
2005 black, 2-horned ewe.
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BAW Galeno:
2004 black w/tgh, 2-horned ram.
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Pinta:
2005 black w/tgh, 2-horned ewe.
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| |
Maria:
2005 black w/tgh, 2-horned ewe.
|
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Little Wren:
2005 Red Mesa, 2-horned ewe (nubs)
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Morning:
2005 Red Mesa, 2-horned ewe.
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Our thanks
to Bide-A-Wee Farm. |
Our thanks
to Canyon Wren Ranch. |
2007 Lambs expected in Black,
White and Red Mesa!
And they're starting to arrive....
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