Scotch

    Mule

     The Scotch Mule is an intentionally crossbred sheep out of Scottish Blackface ewes and sired by Bluefaced Leicester rams. The term "mule" - when it refers to sheep - is used for an intentionally produced sheep that is sired by a Bluefaced Leicester ram. In the UK, Mule ewes are the backbone of the commercial sheep industry, and the Scotch Mule is the most popular.

    The Mule as a commercial ewe has many advantages and the Bluefaced Leicester imparts many highly desirable qualities in his crossbred daughters. The Mule ewe will have improved maternal qualities such as early maturity, increased prolificacy, improved milk production, more capacity, in addition to hybrid vigor.    

     Our Mule ewe lambs are naturally polled. The ram lambs have varied from polled to an impressive set of horns.

     Feedback from our locker lamb customers has been very positive.  We only sell pasture finished lambs as the addition of grains makes the lamb overly fat.  We use NO antibiotics or hormones, we do practice good husbandry by vaccinating with CD-T, and worming.  Of course all of our sheep have full access to mineral salts.

    "The fleece is semilustrous with a fine, wavy crimp that gives good loft.  The staples are long and have good pointed tips.

     The comparatively light, airy feel of this longwool fleece makes it a good choice for the production of hard-wearing but warm knitted and woven outerwear.  Stronger fleeces are suitable for use in upholstery and rug yarns."*   

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* Excerpt from "In Sheep's Clothing, A Handspinner's Guide to Wool" by Nola & Jane Fournier