There are numerous coloured breeds of sheep which have been established in the UK over the last 30 years and they are increasingly popular. Coloured Down Sheep are one of those breeds- Developed primarily from Southdown genetics.
The Coloured Down Sheep Association was formed in order to record pedigree breeding, promote the Coloured Down Breed; with shows and sales, and to preserve the Genetics of the Coloured Down breed.
Coloured sheep developed from the Southdown are wide spread throughout the USA following three decades of selection and breeding. Coloured Down sheep are rare in the UK but this is set to change with breeding programmes to improve and increase breed numbers. If our original UK genetic strains are lost, they would be lost for all time. The public benefit to be gained from preserving these sheep cannot be over exaggerated.
The Coloured Down breed standards are particular for wool colour and the area it covers on the head and legs, skin colour, locomotion, body shape. All colours of wool and skin are accepted – blue, brown, black, grey, white as well as those with spots.
Coloured wool is now being produced in greater quantities for knitters, weavers, felters and crafters in all locations and for all age groups and we have numerous connections getting established. Wool is a commodity with very low financial value at present, our coloured wool is worth more when marketed well and brings in a much-needed additional income for our members.
There are five breeding programmes which members of the association can use.
Coloured sheep and white sheep can be ‘upgraded’ using a DEFRA approved breeding programme.
There is also a precedent for this, as numerous breeds are upgrading sheep at the moment to improve confirmation and performance. For example, Dutch Spotted and Welsh Mountain breeds.
Our association aims to be inclusive and affordable for members so that sheep breeders of Coloured Down sheep can spread further and it will be easier for potential new members and smaller flock owners to source these sheep and receive help.