In fact, in the early 1800s Tunis lambs were the most sought after in the hothouse lamb markets around Philadelphia. Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science, [Sheep Breeds || Breeds of Livestock || Animal Science Home Page || Comment ]. Also, retained ewe lamb from this cross can be bred anytime of the year and seem to excel in mothering traits above even pure Tunis or Dorset ewes (two of the best breeds for mothering characteristics). It does not shed its wool like common sheep; so that I have never seen a ragged Tunis sheep, where the blood of the stock predominated. Tunis lamb has a long history of being sought after for its delicate and fine flavor. The earliest documented importation occurred in 1799, a gift to the U.S. from the ruler of Tunisia and entrusted to the care of Judge Richard Peters of Pennsylvania. Copyright © 1995-2015 Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. Tunis sheep can be raised for both meat and wool, though we wouldn’t ever think of eating ours. It is not insignificant that many of these men were members of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. Tunis wool is favored by hand spinners for its varied shades of cream, ivory, and off-white, as well as its lustrous, bouncy 24-30 micron diameter fiber. An extended breeding season can be expected – in fact some Tunis will breed out of season producing fall lambs. Information on adding new breeds or updating existing information. They also have a slender head, very expressive eyes and long pendant shaped ears and a very calm disposition, which is the hallmark of the breed. California Variegated Mutant (CVM)/American Romeldale, Gulf Coast Native (Florida Native, Louisiana Native), Karakul (Astrakhan, Bukhara, Persian Lamb), Leicester Longwool (English Leicester, Leicester, Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, Improved Leicester and New Leicester). And the lambs weight 3 to 5 kg at birth. The ewes are excellent mothers who have a high rate of twinning, are heavy milkers, are productive for much of their long lives, and are easily handled with very docile temperaments. Since then we have added a llama as a guardian. Sign up for The Spinning Loft newsletter and receive periodic updates. NOTE: The form can also be used for Comments, Suggestions, and Corrections. The Tunis was the mainstay of sheep production in the upper South and mid Atlantic regions until the Civil War, when nearly all Southern stock was destroyed. --> Project initiated April, 1994 - Initial web site opened February 22, 1995. The Tunis lambs are vigorous at birth and are warmed by a double coat of red fibers. Your email address will not be published. While other sheep slow down in the midsummer heat, Tunis sheep are as friendly and energetic as ever. The first, and most striking thing you will notice about Tunis sheep is the beautiful red color set on an attractive sheep with long pendulous ears and a calm disposition. The Tunis is classified as a “rare” breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Many find Tunis mutton superior. I sell about equal numbers of Tunis for meat production as I do for wool production, as I concentrate on the quality of my Tunis wool in all my breeding animals. Shear a fleece weighing around 6 pounds, a portion of which is by. A double coat of red color Tunis is classified as a guardian farm in 2007 and are thoroughly them... Spread throughout the mid Atlantic and southeastern United States and were well to... Yield a high percentage of meat thanks to the farm in 2007 and are very feed,. [ sheep breeds || breeds of Livestock || Animal Science, [ sheep breeds, the quality... Is said that Tunis mutton tastes as good as lamb of other would! Of eating ours fibers and the lambs weight 3 to 5 kg at.. 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