Hebridean Sheep - Old Breed for New Times

Hebridean Wool Surveys
	Hebridean Wool Survey 2009 Juliet Johnson kindly agreed to undertake some work on comparison of fleeces from 2-horned and 4-horned Hebrideans. The purpose of this study is to ascertain any significant differences that may exist between 2-horn and multi-horned examples, to ascertain any changes as a result of more recent breeding decisions when compared to samples from older animals, and over the longer term to investigate changes in fleece type and quality throughout the life of individuals. Three samples were taken from each animal, or from the sheared fleece, from the shoulder, flank and britch, with a full year's wool growth.

Analysis of the 2009 Hebridean Wool Survey
Summary From the data analysed, we have found a diversity of fleece types within the Hebridean breed, with 55% being fully double coated, 40% having at least some evidence of two layers and 5% having a single layer of either wool or hair. There is a difference in the colours we see on the surface of the sheep and those found on parting the hair layer and looking into the wool. Around a third of the individual hair and wool samples examined are either dark or true black, with true black forming only around one fifth of the total number of samples, with only 8 out of the 87 animals in the study having true black fleece throughout. The apparent smaller proportion of grey fibres in the hair layer as shown in the pie chart reflects the increased proportion of brown in the hair when compared with the wool ; wool is not subjected to bleaching by the sun when a fully double coat is present. About half of all the wool samples show a degree of greying. The fleece length variation within the breed, measured from the hair coat only is shown to be wide, from a tiny 3cm to the very longest which was 37cm. However, about two thirds of the samples fell within the range of 12-22cm (5-9”). Crimp is mainly in the range from absolutely straight to two crimps per inch, but a small percentage of animals show up to 6 crimps per inch. Black and Grey fleeces are more likely to be very straight than the browner types, as are longer hair coats. As well as a small number of fleeces lacking a top hair layer, it emerged that an equally small number of fleeces consist of only the top hair layer, with no under wool at all. When comparing these characteristics between the samples collected from two and multi horned Hebrideans, we see that two horned animals have rather more black fleeces than multi horned sheep, but the proportions of lighter browns and greys are the same between the horn types. Four horned sheep have fewer very long fleeces than two horned and a very few have very short ones, although the longest sample came from a grey 4 horned ewe. Four horned sheep have significantly fewer fully double coats than two horned; and of the variable length type more have britch wool which is longer than the shoulder wool than those which have longer shoulder wool than britch.

Comments The results from this small pilot study have highlighted some interesting facts about Hebridean fleece. However, we are conscious that the sample population was small, especially in that only eight flocks were represented. Within these flocks selection may already have taken place for favoured traits, or it may not. In order to get a truer picture of the Hebridean fleece and how it compares between two and four horned individuals, a wider scale study would need to be undertaken, visiting a much larger number of flocks. In light of the significant information already gathered, this is a worthwhile option. Of equal interest would be a longitudinal study of a number of individual sheep from birth to old age, following the changes which take place in the fleece over time.

Our thanks go to the eight flock owners who made the enormous effort required to collect and label their samples, most of which were taken during shearing, an already hectic time in the shepherd’s calendar. We hope you feel it was worth it after reading the results of the study. Copyright (c) 2009 S.J.Johnston & S.J.Lycett

To read a copy of the full report download a copy by clicking on the link below:

Hebridean Sheep Fleece Report 2009