The First Valais Blacknose Sheep Have Been Welcomed To The Isle of Bute

The Valais’s were made famous by Raymond Irvine on the show This Farming Life in 2019. He was the first to bring the sheep from the Swiss Alps to Scotland. The sheep known for their black knees and hocks featuring a long curly white coat gaining popularity overnight with farming children begging for their own Valais.

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The family first got the flock in September and have trained them. Bob said “It has been nice to have them and we have taught them to eat out of our hands.”

 

The breed known for there distinct dark features and curly hair have become internet sensations and one of the most sought after breeds. They have two black spots on their knees and the backs of their legs they also have black wool just above their hoofs. However there must be white wool between these two black areas to meet the pedigree specifications.

 

Valais Blacknose Sheep have gone viral on social media for their cuteness appeal and kind nature. Owner Bob said “I had seen videos on social media and thought they would be very cute for my young daughter.”

 

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Bob's Valais Blacknose ewes enjoying some food 

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The new breed have posed many new learning curves and challenges for the family but “we have friends who are farmers who are helping give us a hand.” The sheep can differ hugely from native Scottish sheep and can pose some new challenges for farmers.

 

To be recognised as part of the Valais Blacknose Society your sheep must be graded to conform with the high standard of the breed. They are judged on their appearance, conformation and their wool. They will be graded from 4-36 months and will be graded at least twice over this period. After this they do not need to be graded again.

 

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A picture from Bob of the Valais before they were clipped 

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The sheep differ from other sheep requiring to be clipped twice a year rather than once to maintain their wool quality. Clipping includes their face, legs and body unlike your typical sheep only needing their body clipped.

 

The wool is one of the main assets of the Valais producing from a female between 70 to 90kg and from a male 80 to 125kg. The fleece is clipped twice a year to maintain the wool quality as the fleece grows around 30cm a year.

 

It will not be long now until the ewes are due to lamb in the new year but due to their slow maturing rates they cannot lamb for the first time until they are between 18-24 months. Blacknose sheep are nonseasonal breeders which means the sheep can breed all year round. Sheep native to Scotland are only able to breed in the Autumn due to the changes in the weather.

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Bob's Valais Blacknose ewe named Kloud

 

Bob and his family are looking forward to lambing and welcome the new additions to their small flock “They are very cute and friendly they have made a nice addition to our family. My daughter can’t wait to see the lambs.”

 

The sheep are also much larger than your average sheep closer in height to a one month old calf. Their horns are also much larger to our equivalent hill sheep of a Scottish Blackface. The horns are helical or spiral and grow outward on both tups and ewes rather than curling inwards like a Scottish Blackface or a Swaledale.

 

The sheep are also vitamin D deficient due to their thick, dark wool and pigmented skin. This is not helped by living in Scotland with a lack of sun, UV levels and often living indoors. The sheep require a supplement of vitamin D to prevent rickets, fragile bones and to support their growth.

 

The new year will set new challenges for the family facing their first lambing, show season and grading. Bob added “We are hoping to have some lambs this year and are hoping to show the Valais’s at some of our local shows.”

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