Grey Troender sheep is a very rare breed of domesticated sheep. The sheep are light grey, with a white head, partial on their back, around the hooves, and ears. They also have black patches on their shoulder and short tail. The grays were originally bred in Scotland during the 1800s from Triploid Baa-strain ewes crossed with Dorset Downs rams.
At that time, it was believed that these animals would help to improve the quality of wool for breeders in northern climates where it is often necessary to lower the number of white hairs.
Contents
How to identify grey Troender sheep
Grey Troender sheep are a very rare breed of sheep. They were developed in Scotland to improve the quality of wool in northern climates where it is sometimes necessary to lower the number of white hairs.
They have light grey color, with a white head, partial on their back, around the hooves, and ears. They also have black patches on their shoulder and short tail.
Behavioral characteristics
Grey Troender sheep are docile, calm, and kind (they like to be with people), good mothers, protective and loyal. They have a calm temperament and are not easily scared. They can become aggressive if they are mistreated or underfed.
The white coat of grey Troender sheep is the most preserved trait in comparison to the other modern breeds of ewes and rams, but it is becoming increasingly rare due to a decrease in their genetic stock: today only about 1% of their descendants has this original coat color.
Diet
Grey Troender sheep are domesticated animals and they feed on various types of grass.
Breeding
Grey Troender sheep have a gestation period of 150 to 190 days and usually give birth to one or two lambs. The lambs are born without any wool, but they grow them at an incredibly fast rate: the males especially grow their first coat in just 40 days, after which they can endure the weather conditions. These animals reach sexual maturity between 14 and 18 months. The rams live for about 15 years; ewes for 17 years.
Uses
Grey Troender sheep are used for meat, and their wool can be used in the manufacture of cloth. Grey Troender sheep (Tetragrionidae), also known as brown-headed sheep, were the first agricultural animal left by humans in Scotland, where they have been present since at least the 17th century. The name derives from an ancient Greek word (Tektroi) which refers to a similar animal.
Special Considerations
The classic color of this breed is “white”, but individuals are often born with grey or brown heads (including black sheep), which have been bred to maintain the variety. Some of the most unusual colors have been seen in Shetland sheep, including green (due to a biliverdin pigment), and bright red due to pheomelanin. However, review the full breed profile of the grey Troender sheep in the following table.
Best 10+ information
| Breed Name | Grey Troender Sheep |
| Other Name | Brown-headed sheep |
| Breed Purpose | Meat and wool |
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Breed Class, size | Medium-sized |
| Main Color | Grey |
| Weight | 350 pounds |
| Climate Tolerance | Tropical |
| Temperament | Gentle, calm, and quiet |
| As Pets | No |
| Rarity | Very rare |
| Life span | 15 years |
In summary
The most important characteristics of this breed are a light grey color, a white head, black patches on the shoulder, and a short tail. The baldy is an endangered breed of sheep from Scotland. They are characterized by their white coat with black patches on their shoulders and heads. They have been in continuous use since prehistory, and are indigenous to that part of the country.
