Merino sheep
Maureen is a spinner and so we have five Merino sheep.
Merinos are the world’s most numerous sheep breed – millions populate Australia and New Zealand. The breed is prized for its wool, which is considered the finest and softest wool of any sheep. The merino breed originated in Spain during the 14th and 15th centuries with the crossing of local breeds and Berber sheep. Merinos are a skittish breed – almost wild – which makes them very difficult to work with. Just my luck.
Merino sheep have lots of Lanolin in their wool – also known as "wool fat" or grease, it is chemically akin to wax. The greasy qualities of Lanolin attract dirt and dust. To keep a sheep’s fleece clean we put “coats” on them. A coated sheep can look light brown or gray on unprotected areas but black under the coat. In the photo, there are two black and two white sheep. Can you tell the difference?
Merinos are the world’s most numerous sheep breed – millions populate Australia and New Zealand. The breed is prized for its wool, which is considered the finest and softest wool of any sheep. The merino breed originated in Spain during the 14th and 15th centuries with the crossing of local breeds and Berber sheep. Merinos are a skittish breed – almost wild – which makes them very difficult to work with. Just my luck. Merino sheep have lots of Lanolin in their wool – also known as "wool fat" or grease, it is chemically akin to wax. The greasy qualities of Lanolin attract dirt and dust. To keep a sheep’s fleece clean we put “coats” on them. A coated sheep can look light brown or gray on unprotected areas but black under the coat. In the photo, there are two black and two white sheep. Can you tell the difference?
2 Comments:
Left to right: Black, white, black, white?
Left to right: Black, white, black, white is correct.
Post a Comment
<< Home