Île-de-France (sheep)
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The Île-de-France is a breed of sheep native to the French region of Île-de-France near Paris. It was first developed at a French veterinary college in the 1830s through crosses of Dishley Leicester and Rambouillet, and was originally known as the Dishley Merino.[1] A breed association was formed in 1933, and it was rigorously tested early on its breeding for meat characteristics and maternal qualities.[2]
Today the Île-de-France is one of the top meat breeds worldwide, and is present in South Africa, Australia and the Americas as well as in Europe. It is primarily used as a terminal sire, but is also occasionally found as a dairy breed in the United States.[2] It's a large, naturally polled breed with white fleece.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Susan Schoenian. "Sheep Breeds G - I". sheep101.info. http://www.sheep101.info/breedsG-I.html#Iledefrance.
- ^ a b Ekarius, Carol (2008). Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs. Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60342-036-5.
- ^ "Ile-de-France". Okalahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science. http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/iledefrance/index.htm.
[edit] External links
- ile-de-france-sheep.com
- Ile De France, National Sheep Association
- Ile De France Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa
- Ile De France Australia
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