 Origin: United States
Distribution: United States
Uses: Wool and meat
Status: Critical
Breed Features: The most important trait of this breed is its heat tolerance. Gulf Coast lack wool on their faces, legs, bellies and necks as one concession to heat. Most sheep are horned and white although polled and colored variations are present in the population. Other traits include resistance to parasites and footrot and the ability to breed year-round. The fine-wool sheep have ewes ranging in weight from 90 to 160 pounds and rams weighing 125-200 pounds.
History: Gulf Coast sheep have origins in the Spanish breeds brought to the Americas during the 1500’s and developed naturally to their environment in the Southeast part of the country, where heat and humidity create problems for many other breeds of sheep. Modern medications and a declining wool industry have made the demand for the breed’s unique traits decrease to the point of endangering the breed. Registration is a recent effort begun to conserve Gulf Coast sheep.
Breed Associations:
Gulf Coast Sheep Breeders Association
947 County Road 302
Sandia, TX 78383
(361)774-1077
brien@callistacreekfarm.com
www.gulfcoastsheep.info
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