Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep is originated from the small area of Wales – the Tywi valley. The sheep are raised mainly for meat production.
The Welsh mountain sheep is the umbrella for many welsh mountain sheep. One of the distinct breed from Welsh mountain sheep is Balwen.
Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep breed information
Balwen is a small breed and very hardy can adjust to local climatic conditions.
Very easy to handle and their markings make them very attractive.
The Balwen sheep are black, brown, or dark grey and have a white blaze on the face. Almost half of the tail is white in color.
Ewes are excellent mothers and plenty of milk. During their first lambing, they produce one lamb. But in subsequent lambing seasons, there are high chances of twinning.
The staple length of the wool is 5 cm to 7.5 cm. It is graded as soft/medium. Fleece weight is around 1.25 kg to 2 kg per sheering.
The weight of a mature Ram is approximately around 43 kg and the ewe is around 35 kg.
Thoroughbred sheep produce little remains yet require little in the method for extra sustaining. A comparatively estimated sheep to a Badger Face Welsh Mountain can be normal 12-14kgs at about four months of age. A bigger, quickly developing sheep can be accomplished utilizing a decent terminal sire.
The ewe is a brilliant, tough mother and will lamb effectively to an enormous terminal sire delivering a substantial crossbred sheep.
The Balwen slam can be utilized on business type ewe sheep as the sheep are little, energetic and cause a couple of troubles to a first-time mother.
Things to know
The name Balwen means “white blaze” in Welsh. Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep have a very distinctive blaze from the top of the head to the nose.
During the disastrous winter of 1947, the breed was nearly wiped out with only one ram surviving.
During the 1950s and ’60s a steady increase took place and by the 1970s people outside the valley began to take an interest in the breed.
1985 the Balwen Welsh Mountain Breed Society was formed and although numbers continue to steadily increase.
The Balwen continues to be on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watch list.
Brief characteristics of Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep
| Breed Name | Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep |
| Other Name | white blaze sheep |
| Country/Place of Origin | South Wales |
| Breed Purpose | Meat |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 43 kg (94 lbs) |
| Ewe(Female) | 35 kg (77 lbs) |
| Kidding | one, rarely two |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing and Stall-fed |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
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