Thursday, April 11, 2013

About Belgium Milk Sheep or Belgisch Melk schapp

Belgium Milk Sheep
(Belgisch Melk schapp)

The Belgium Milk Sheep is strongly influenced by Friesian Milk Sheep. In all probability, the Belgium Milk Sheep descends from Flemish sheep. Since the 19th century, Flemish sheep were selected for milk character. After the Second World War, the other milk sheep breeds were added. 
The Belgium Milk Sheep is a finely-built sheep which stands on high legs. The body is wedge-shaped. The head is covered with fine white hair. The abdomen is wooly, but slightly hairy. A typical characteristic of Belgium Milk Sheep is the so-called "rat-tail." The fertility of the breed is high. The udder is well-developed and the animals give much milk with a creamy taste. Breed categories: dairy, rat-tail Distribution: Europe

About Beltex Sheep

Beltex sheep were first introduced to Britain from Belgium in 1989. They originate from hybrid sheep bred in Belgium.
The breed's main characteristics are double-muscled high quarters, coupled with fine bones which ensures maximum killing-out percentage of the finished lamb. The Beltex is primarily a terminal sire to cross with British sheep and half-bred continental sheep. Beltex-sired lambs are born with ease and are thrifty. Conformation is the breed's main attribute in producing prime lamb. Finished lambs yield a high killing-out percentage and a carcass with well-fleshed legs, good eye muscle, and a long loin.Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North American

About Bergamasca Sheep

The Bergamasca originated in the North of Italy, possibly from Sudanese sheep.
They are a multi-purpose animal, raised for meat, milk, and wool. They are prolific and produce and average of 250 kg of milk with 6 percent fat over a 6 month lactation period. The Bergamasca is a basic breed of the Lop-eared Alpine group and is polled. They are the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine breeds of Fabrianese, Pavullese, Perugian Lowland, and Zakynthos. Breed categories: multi-purpose (meat, milk, and wool), coarse wool  Distribution: Europe, South America

About Berrichon du Cher Sheep

The Berrichon du Cher was established in the Berry region of France. The original breed was crossed with a Merino in the mid-1780's. Further improvements were made in the 1800's with the introduction of the Dishely Leicester. The Berrichon due Cher is a polled, white-faced sheep with a medium fleece of high quality. Their body is compact, well-muscled, and medium to large in status. They are used primarily as a terminal sire. Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom

Bleu du Maine or Bluefaced Maine Sheep

The Blue du Maine originated in Western France in the region of Mayenne.
The breed was developed from crossing Leicester Longwool and Wensleydale which were imported during a period from 1855 to 1880 with the now extinct Choletais breed. The Blue du Maine is a large breed. The breed has no wool on its head or legs. The face is dark gray or blue color. Both sexes are polled. 
In comparing the Blue du Maine with the Texel breed, they show a higher litter size and age of sexual maturity. Their average daily gain, carcass leanness, milk yield, and lambing interval are similar to the Texel, but the Blue du Maine are lighter muscled. Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom

About Blue Texel Sheep

The Blue Texel is a color variant of the normal white Texel sheep.
It came from white Texels who carry the color factor "blue" with them. This factor is a recessive factor. From a mating of two white Texels who both carry the factor for the blue colour, there is a 25 percent chance blue lambs will be born while a mating between a Blue Texel and another Blue Texel always gives blue lambs. Texel sheep evolved as a result of crossbreeding the Dutch polder sheep with several English breeds, such as Leicester, Wensleydale, and Lincoln at the beginning of the 20th century.
Today, as a result of efficient selection, the Texel breed has developed into a meat-type sheep of outstanding lean meat quality that has become popular throughout the world as a sire of crossbred slaughter lambs. When Texel lambs with a different color were orginally born, most breeders were very ashamed of this. It was not until the late 70's that some breeders started with the breeding of this rare colored sheep: the Blue Texel. Breed categories: meat, medium wool
Distribution: Netherlands, Europe

About Booroola Merino Sheep

The Booroola Merino was developed on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.
It differs from the normal Merino in two ways. First, its fertility is as high as any breed in the world. The number of lambs born per ewe lambing is 2.4, with a range of 1 to 6. Half-Booroola ewes on average wean 20 percent more lambs than comparable Merinos under the same conditions. Secondly, Booroolas have the ability to breed at most times of the year, thus extending the breeding season.
The high prolifacy of the Booroola Merino is due to the action of a single gene. Booroola actually refers to a gene called the B gene (also called F for fecundity). The B gene can be transferred into any breed sheep and does not appear to be influenced by nutrition. Breed categories: fine wool, prolific
Distribution: worldwide

About Border Cheviot Sheep

The Border Cheviot originated as a mountain breed, native to the Cheviot Hills between Scotland and England, where the climate is harsh and the conditions are rugged. Border Cheviots are extremely hardy and can withstand harsh winters and graze well over hilly pastures.
They were bred to look after themselves. Recognized as early as 1372, the breed is reported to have developed from sheep that swam ashore from shipwrecked Spanish ships that fled northward after the defeat of the Armada. 

The Cheviot is a distinctive white-faced sheep, with a wool-free face and legs, pricked ears, black muzzle and black feet. It is a very alert, active sheep, with a stylish, lively carriage. Cheviot wool has a distinctive helical crimp, which gives it that highly desirable resilience.Breed category: meat, hill
Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand

About Beulah Speckled-Faced

Beulah Speckled-Faced
(Eppynt Hill and Beulah Speckled-Faced)

Speckled-face sheep have been bred on the hills of Eppynt, Llanafan, Abergwesyn and Llanwrtyd Wells for over 100 years, without introduction of female stock. On the hill, the ewes are normally purebred, providing flock replacements, finished lambs for the meat trade, or store lambs for finishing on lowland farms.
The Beulah ewe is also idea for crossing with most continental rams, as well as Suffolk and Down rams to produce high quality carcasses. Rams have found great demand in many mountain flocks to improve size and wool quality. The breed gives a fleece of very clean soft handling wool. Ewes are hornless, as are the majority of rams.The face is free from wool and distinctly speckled.Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium wool, hill
Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe

About Black Welsh Mountain

In the Middle Ages, the mutton of black-fleeced Welsh Mountain Sheep was prized for its richness and excellence and much sought-after by merchants. During the mid-19th century, some breeders began to select specifically for the black fleece color and the result is the Black Welsh Mountain sheep.

The Black Welsh Mountain is a small, black sheep with no wool on the face or on the legs below the knee and hock. It is the only completely black breed of sheep found in the United Kingdom. Introduced into the U.S. in 1972, the fleece from the Black Welsh Mountain has generated special interest among hand spinners and weavers.

About Bourbon Red Turkey

Bourbon Reds might be considered an American Classic.
They are beautiful, and make an excellent table bird. The Bourbon Red was first included in the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1909. It was an important breed for commercial production in the 1930's and 1940's, rivaling the Broad Breasted Bronze, in part because it produced a cleaner-looking carcass, as its pin feathers are white.Bourbon Reds are popular with both fanciers who raise them for exhibition and with small flock keepers and farmers. They are good foragers, and do well when provided pasture.
The Bourbon Red is a deep, rich red color over most of its body, with bright white tail that have a soft, red bar across them. Flight feathers are white; the beak is a horn color and is darker at the base than at the tip; wattles are red; the beard is black; and the shanks and toes are pink. 

About Broad Breasted White Turkey



The Broad Breasted White Turkey is the breed raised by commercial turkey farmers in the US. It is the best choice for those who enjoy breast meat. These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally. Instead, they must be artificially inseminated.Broad Breasted White Turkey are an excellent choice if you want to raise a turkey for meat. Turkeys sold in grocery stores are Broad Breasted White Turkeys.

Chicken Breeds



New Hampshire Red

New Hampshire Reds are a vigorous, early-maturing breed known for their meat more than their eggs, although they are a true dual-purpose bird, good for both meat production and egg-laying. They originally derived from Rhode Island Reds. Their personalities can vary by bird, from focused on the pecking order and a bit aggressive toward other birds, to mellow and docile.


Plymouth Rock

The most common Plymouth Rock variety is the 
Barred Rock. With their black and white stripes, Barred Rocks are a good-looking breed and stand out in the flock. Plymouth Rocks are solid, sturdy dual-purpose birds and very popular for the small farm and homestead. They were at one time the most popular breed in America.




Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Reds are prolific egg-layers, and at one time a standard for small poultry farms. 
Although they're good for meat, too, they are known for their high egg production. They are 
active, but also calm and docile, although roosters can tend toward the aggressive side in this breed.
Sussex

An English breed, Sussex chickens were at one time the most common British table bird. Speckled Sussex is the most common variety, and they stand out from other hens with their brown plumage with white speckles. It's also good camouflage from predators. They are known for their unique, friendly, and curious personalities. Another of my favorite breeds - we have a hen named Miss Friendly who is a Speckled Sussex, and she was named because she is by far the most "pet-like" of any of our chickens.

Different Breeds of Goat


Nubian
This is the most popular breed. This breed is large, has long, wide, pendulous ears, and a roman nose. Goats of this breed usually are brown, but can be almost any color. The Nubian breed originated in the United Kingdom from British and Near-East descendants. Nubians have a high butterfat content in their milk. Nubian milk is therefore good for cheese making.
Alpines
Alpines originated in Switzerland. They were later imported to France and England, and then to the United States. Most Alpines are either black and white, brown and white, but can have various other color patterns. This breed has dished, or curved, noses, and upright ears.

Saanens

Saanens are another Swiss breed. These goats are large, kind, and friendly. This breed of goats is generally all-white, with forward-facing ears.

Toggenburgs

Toggs are medium-sized chocolate animals who also originated in Switzerland's Toggenburg Valley.



La Mancha

This breed was developed in the United States of a Spanish breed

that was crossbred with other breeds. This breed is distinguished by having very short ears.


Oberhasli

Oberhasli, another Swiss breed, is colored Chamoisee, ranging from light to a deep red bay with black facial stripes, muzzle and forehead. Oberhaslis can also be black in color.






Cattle

Cattle or Cow are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates.
They are raised as Livestock for meat ( beef and and veal ) as dairy animals for milk and other dairy products and as draft animals like pulling carts and plow. Other products include leather and dung for manure or fuel. in India, cattle are sacred. Bos taurus is the European or "taurine" cattle including similar types from Africa and Asia. The aurochs is ancestral to both zebu and taurine cattle. Recently, these three have increasingly been grouped as one species, with Bos primigenius taurus, Bos primigenius indicus and Bos primigenius primigenius as the subspecies. Hybrid individuals and even breeds exist, not only between taurine cattle and zebu such as the sanga cattle , Bos taurus africanus.