Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep

The Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Welsh Defaid Idloes [ˈdevaɪd ˈɪdlɔɪs]; also known as Badger Faced Welsh Mountain or Welsh Badger-faced) is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed of domestic sheep bred for sheep farming in Wales.[1] It is a hardy upland breed known for producing a high percentage of twins and triplets under good conditions. It appears in two sub-varieties of its own: the Torddu ([tɔrˈðiː], "black-bellied"), which has a white fleece with dark face and belly, and the Torwen ([tɔrˈwɛn], "white-bellied"), which has a black body with a white belly and white stripes over the eyes.[2] The Torddu is the more common of the two types. In both types, ewes are polled and rams are horned.[3] Although this breed grows wool, it is primarily raised for meat.[4]

A Torddu Badgerface Welsh Mountain ewe in Wales
A Torwen Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep, showing white belly and face markings
A flock of Torwen Badger Face Welsh Mountain

Characteristics

This breed is extremely hardy and able to graze rough hills and terrain. On average at maturity, rams weigh 55 kg (121 lb) and ewes 45 kg (99 lb).[4]

References
  1. "Welsh Mountain Badger Face". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2010-06-06. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  2. "Badger Face Welsh Mountain". nationalsheep.org.uk. The National Sheep Association. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  3. "Badger Face Welsh Mountain". Sheep Breeds A - Ba. Sheep101.info. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  4. "Badger Faced Welsh Mountain/United Kingdom". Breed description. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
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