Bleu du Maine

A Bleu du Maine ewe at an agricultural show in Flanders.

The Bleu du Maine (also known as Blauköpfiges Fleischschaf (German), Bazougers, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine à tête bleue, Maynne Blue)[1] is a breed of domestic sheep that originated in western France, in the region common to the departments of Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe.[2] A large, prolific sheep, the most distinctive characteristic of the breed is its bald, gray–blue head which is polled in both sexes.[1] More common in France and the Netherlands, it has also been exported to the U.K., where it is sometimes used for the creation of cross–bred mules.[3] Though this breed does grow wool, it is raised primarily for meat.[4]

Millennium Bleu

The Millennium Bleu is a new breed which began to be developed in the year 2000. It is a cross of a Bleu du Maine ewe with a Texel or Beltex ram. It is still rare in the U.K., and is used primarily as a terminal sire.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bleu du Maine". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  2. ↑ "Race ovine Bleu du Maine" (in French). Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  3. ↑ Brown, Dave; Sam Meadowcroft (1996). The Modern Shepherd. Wharfedale Road, Ipswich 1P1 4LG, United Kingdom: Farming Press. ISBN 0-85236-188-2.
  4. ↑ "Bleu du Maine/France". Breed Data Sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  5. ↑ "Millennium Bleu sheep proving a success.". The Journal. 2003-08-09. Retrieved 2008-11-08.

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