Natural Colored Corriedales

Marble Peaks Ranch produces natural colored Corriedale sheep.  The Corriedale is a dual purpose breed that produces both a high-yielding fleece and a good quality carcass.  Mature sheep are large-framed, with rams weighing from 180 to 275 pounds and ewes from 150 to 250 pounds.  The wool is a medium type, spinning count 54 - 60, with a staple length of 3 to 5 inches.  Corriedale wool is easy to spin, and with a distinct, even crimp that creates elastic yarns.

We select for superior-quality fleeces that are uniform, dense, have well-defined crimp, and a soft handle.  We breed for sheep with sound conformation, favoring large frames and a high rate of post-weaning gain.  Ewes are selected for easy lambing, strong maternal instinct, and ample milk production.

All our breeding stock are presently registered with the Natural Colored Wool Growers Association, www.ncwga.org.  (The American Corriedale Association will only permit registration of white sheep.) 

Our sheep carry a dominant black gene for color.  This is the desirable case if your goal is production of colored sheep.  The lambs are born black and the sheep usually remain black as yearlings.  As they mature, most will turn gray, with the shade varying from charcoal to light silver. 

 
Our current crop of natural colored Corriedale lambs was born between January 14 and February 05, 2011.  We have a desirable selection of NCWGA registered ram and ewe lambs.  They are solid colored (except for white markings on heads) and we have both black and gray lambs available.  Breeding stock prices begin at $250 for lambs.  Transportation to our show locations is included.

Champion Yearling Ram for Sale

This handsome ram, Merlin, was Champion Medium Wool Ram at Black Sheep Gathering in 2011 and Grand Champion Natural Colored Ram at Lambtown in 2010.  He has a very uniform and boldly crimped fleece, that is very characteristic of the Corriedale breed.  Merlin is a solid, true black in color.  He is large framed and has a long torso.  Merlin has a relaxed temperament and is easy to handle.  His sire has produced all the best-fleeced sheep in our flock.  We are only parting with him due to his close relatedness to many of our ewes.  Please contact me for additional photos and information.