Natural Colored Corriedales

Marble Peaks Ranch produces natural colored Corriedale sheep.  The Corriedale is a dual purpose breed that produces both a high yield fleece and a good quality carcass.  Mature sheep are large-framed, with rams weighing from 180 to 300 pounds and ewes from 150 to 250 pounds.  The wool is a medium type, spinning count 54 - 60, fine enough to wear next to the skin but with a staple length of 3 to 5 inches that makes it easy to spin, and with a distinct, even crimp that creates elastic yarns.

All our breeding stock are 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.  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.  A few of our sheep possess a recessive gene for white, and can produce white offspring if mated to another carrier.

We select for superior quality fleeces that are dense, uniform, have well-defined crimp, soft hand, and long staple length.  We insist on solid conformation, favoring large-framed individuals with a high rate of post-weaning gain.  Ewes are also selected for easy lambing, strong maternal instinct, and good milk production.

Sheep for Sale - Update 2010

Our current crop of lambs was born between January 15 and February 16, 2010.  We should have a nice selection of colored registered ewe and ram lambs available for sale beginning in May.