ORIGINS OF THE BREED

BLUE TEXELS were first recognised and recorded in Holland in the early 1970s, with blue sheep accidentally born to white Texel parents. Deliberate matings for the blue factor followed, and more blue animals were found in white Texel flocks. By 1983, there were 11 flocks with 213 blue sheep.

With the formation of a breed society for these sheep in Holland (Stamboek Blauwe Texelaar), numbers have now risen to 6,500 sheep in 250 flocks. This society continues to register Blue Texels born to white Texel parents.

BLUE TEXEL flocks in Britain have now been formed both by importation and from blue sheep born in British white pedigree Texel flocks. There are now 24 registered flocks in all parts of the United Kingdom.
 

Pictures from the Blue Texel Sheep Society

WHAT ARE BLUE TEXELS?
 
BLUE TEXELS are similar to white Texels, but express the "blue" (A^bl ) coat pattern. This is a recessive gene in the Texel breed, and Blue Texels breed true for it. Blue sheep are found in all Texel types from the smaller Dutch Texels to the larger Texels common in Britain. There is evidence of higher fertility in Blue Texels.
 
 

Pictures from the Blue Texel Sheep Society

The blue pattern can vary from very pale animals to quite dark, but no part of the fleece is wholly black or white. The black head, ears and legs have symmetrical white markings. The flank wool is lighter than the shoulders and belly, sometimes a pale silvery blue.

If two white Texels carry the blue gene, there is a 25% chance of a blue lamb from a mating. Matings between blue sheep will always produce blue lambs.

Pictures from the Blue Texel Sheep Society

For more information contact www.bluetexelsheep.co.uk

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Last modified: 03 Jul 2008