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Derbyshire Gritstone
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Derbyshire Gritstone |
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Local Name |
Derbyshire Gritstone |
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Location |
Pennine Hills in Lancashire and Yorkshire |
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Breeding females
(year) |
8.179 approx |
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Trend of population size |
Decrease |
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Flock book established |
1907 |
Origin – history
One of the
oldest of British sheep breeds, originating in the Derbyshire
hills. Records show that hardy sheep have been in the Derbyshire
hills and the Pennine area since the middle ages (1200 –1300 AD).
The Derbyshire Gritstone is very probably descended from these. The
spread to Lancashire occurred through sheep being droved through
Lancashire and some remaining in the area.
Breed description
The breed is
hardy and adaptable, coping with rugged country up to 700 meters
above sea level.
The breed is
white with both sexes without horns. It has a clean-cut face and
legs with black and white markings. It is large with ewes at 35 – 45
kg and rams at 65 – 75 kg and has a good quality weatherproof
fleece. It is unique within the hill breeds in being hornless. The
breed is mainly hefted, with housing for approximately two months of
the year.
They are good
mothers, giving lambs with relatively rapid growth rate and good
survival traits. The ewes cross with both other hill breeds and
continental breed giving improved lamb production.
The breed is
used for both meat and wool.
The flock book was established in 1907 showing a ram register and a
ewe register for approximately 10% of ewes, for showing or
specialist sale purposes.
Conservation activities
Insitu
It has
recently been shown that crossing the Derbyshire Gritstone rams with
horned hill ewes is contributing to the eradication of headfly
disease.
There is also
new interest due to EU head skinning regulations.
The breed
contributes to maintaining the traditional Pennine landscape and a
sense of community within this area.
Exsitu
Cryopreservation of semen, NSP 308 doses
Contact:
The breed society is the Derbyshire Gritstone Breed Society
Sec Mrs S Coppack, 6, Bridge Close, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancs,
BB4 9SN
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