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The following information is taken from "The World of Coloured Sheep", published
at the time of the The 6th Congress on Coloured Sheep, complied and edited by
Roger S. Lundie and Elspeth J. Wilkinson, page 80. Additional information
about Soays can also be found in "In Sheep's Clothing" by Nola Fournier and Jane
Fournier, published by Interweave Press Inc, page 156.
Soays are thought to be descendants of the earliest sheep herded by man in
Europe. They are now found in the UK, Europe and North America but trace
back to the island of Soay (Norse for sheep island) in the St. Kilda archipelago
of the Outer Hebrides. Recent analysis of genetic material suggests that
Soays do have some genetic material contributed by other types of sheep; more
such material than the North Ronaldsay but less than the Shetlands or Hebrideans.
Description:
Soays are small, hardy and nimble. Most animals are 2 horned but scurred
and polled animals also occur. The fleece averages 2 - 3" but may grow up
to 4" Micron range can be from 12 - 36 with kemp fibres measuring up to
100 microns. The typical pattern is light belly and dark upper body,
similar to the European Mouflon sheep.
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SOAY INFORMATION
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