Bloodlines - Brief Overview
What is a bloodline?
- A Bloodline is a group of sheep that are related to each other, but are not related to other bloodlines for at least 4 generations.
AMERICAN SOAY SHEEP
There are six bloodlines of American Soays tracing back to early breeders of Soay sheep from the 1970 importation. There are two additional bloodlines being established that focus on color or markings. Each has value, and all have unique distinctions. Several of these bloodlines are being conserved by a number of breeders. Others are held by just a few breeders and are in need of conservation.
- Driscoll: The ewes in this line tend to be polled or scurred, unless there has been crossing with British rams. This line generally produces medium and fine fleece, and has the ability to produce piebald markings.*** THIS BLOODLINE IS IN NEED OF CONSERVATION!
- Johnson: Ewes in this line are usually horned, but we are seeing some scurred ewes.
- Lewis: This is usually a coarser fleeced or "hairy" line, which means that the fleeces are not as useful for spinning, but the hides make the most beautiful and interesting tanned pelts. The ewes can be horned, polled or scurred, while the rams generally have wide horns. There are some specimens from this line with piebald markings. The American Soay ram shown on our main page is from this line; he looks identical to most of the rams found on St Kilda.
- MacRae: This line varies in fleece type, and the ewes can be polled, scurred or horned. The rams tend to have wide horns. THIS BLOODLINE IS IN NEED OF CONSERVATION!
- Phalen: Ewes in this line are polled or scurred, unless there has been crossing with British rams. The fleece tends to be fine and may be lighter colored.*** THIS BLOODLINE IS IN NEED OF CONSERVATION!
- Westwood: Ewes in this line are generally horned, and fleeces tend to be very fine, with a medium to dark color.
- Black: There are several breeders working together on the solid black phenotype found in Soay sheep.
- White: There are several breeders working together on the white markings found in Soay sheep. View the White Flock in Wales for examples!
BRITISH SOAY SHEEP
There are three bloodlines currently in the process of being established in the British Soay gene pool on this continent.
- Aphrodite: This line is based on a founder ewe that is tan, and has been producing both tan and dark mouflon.
- Basil: This line is based on a founder ram, and has been producing tan and dark mouflon. Fleeces are generally fine.
- Quantum: This line is based on a founder ram. The fleeces are generally coarse, and the horns generally wide. Gray lambs have been produced in this line, which mature into dark mouflon. Agouti faces can be found in this line.
Click on the next page for more details about the history of the bloodlines found in American Soay sheep and British Soay sheep.
*** It is recommended that ewes from polled bloodlines are not bred to British Soay rams (registered with RBST) in order to preserve the polled and scurred genetics found in this line. 65% of the ewes on Hirta are polled or scurred.1 All British Soay sheep found on this continent at this time are horned, and do not represent the many variations found on Soay and Hirta. Consequently, use of British rams on our American Soay sheep has reduced the number of polled and scurred progeny.2 With careful breeding practices, and appropriate use of American Soay rams from the polled bloodlines, it is possible to maintain a similar percentage in American Soay sheep.
1 Page 29 of Soay Sheep, edited by Tim Clutton-Brock and Josephine Pemberton. 2004 Cambridge University Press
2 Records of the SOA Registrar, 2001 through 2005.
Website owned and created by
Copyright 2001 - 2009
