- Tunis (sheep)
The Tunis is a medium sized
sheep , that is naturally hornless, with cream-colored wool and a cinnamon-red face and legs. [cite web |url=http://www.tunissheep.org/breedinfo.htm |title=Tunis Breed Information |accessdate=2008-05-05 |quote= |publisher= ]The head is slender with pendulous ears. Tunis lambs are robust at birth and are warmed by a double coat, which is mahogany red on the surface. White spots on the top of the head and tip of the tail are common. The creamy white fleece appears as the lamb matures. Tunis wool is lustrous and long-stapled, four to six inches. Tunis ewes are heavy milkers – heavy enough that some are used in sheep dairies. Twins are more common than not, and Tunis are known to breed out of season, which makes them valuable for fall lamb production. Tunis also are known for disease resistance and the ability to tolerate both warm and cold
climates .The meat from the Tunis sheep is tender and flavorful without having a strong mutton taste. The Tunis is one of the oldest breeds of sheep having descended from ancient fat-tailed sheep referred to in
The Bible . As the name indicates, the Tunis originated inTunisia on the Northern coast ofAfrica . The earliest documented importation occurred in1799 , a gift to the U.S. from the ruler of Tunisia and entrusted to the care of Judge Richard Peters ofPennsylvania . One of the largest advocates of the Tunis breed wasThomas Jefferson , who owned a fairly large flock.The Tunis popularity spread quickly and flocks were started primarily on the East coast and
New England , where many remain today. Because of their flavorful meat most of the Southern flocks were wiped out during the Civil War.The National Tunis Sheep Registry, Inc. has experienced continuous growth in registrations and transfers, moving from the threatened status to the watch list of the
ALBC Conservation Priority List.References
External links
* [http://www.tunissheep.org Website of the National Tunis Sheep Registry]
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