Brecknock Hill Cheviot facts for kids
The Brecknock Hill Cheviot is a special type of sheep that comes from Wales. People have been raising these sheep for about 400 years! They were created by mixing three other sheep breeds: the Welsh Mountain sheep, the Cheviot sheep, and the Leicester Longwool. Farmers mostly raise Brecknock Hill Cheviots for their meat. This sheep breed first came to the United States in 1838.
What Makes Them Special?
Brecknock Hill Cheviot sheep have some cool features that make them easy to spot.
- They have ears that stand straight up.
- Their faces and legs are white.
- You'll see a fluffy ruff of wool right behind their ears.
- There's no wool on their faces or on their legs below their knees or hocks (which are like their ankles).
Horns or No Horns?
Most Brecknock Hill Cheviots don't have horns. This is called being "polled." But sometimes, the male sheep, called rams, might have horns.
Their Wool
The wool from these sheep is usually between 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) long. A single fleece (all the wool from one sheep) weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 kg (3.3 to 5.5 lb). This wool is good for making things like tweeds and knitwear in the UK.
How Big Are They?
- Adult female sheep, called ewes, usually weigh between 45 to 85 pounds (20 to 39 kg).
- Adult male sheep, called rams, are a bit heavier, weighing from 55 to 100 pounds (25 to 45 kg).
