Also Known
By: Blauköpfiges Fleischschaf (German), Bazougers, Bluefaced Maine,
Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine à tête bleue, Maynne Blue
The Bleu du Maine originated in Western France in the region of Mayenne. The breed was developed from crossing of Leicester Longwool and Wensleydale which were imported during a period from 1855 to 1880 with the now extinct Choletais breed.
The Bleu du Maine are a large breed with mature rams weighing 240 pounds and ewes 175. The breed has no wool on its head or legs. The face is a dark gray or blue color and both sexes are polled. In comparing the Bleu du Maine with the Texel breed, they show a higher litter size and age of sexual maturity. The average daily gain, carcass leanness, milk yield, lambing interval are comparable with the Texel and the Bleu du Maine are lighter muscled.
The Bleu du Maine has a heavy fine fleece. The average fleece weight is 4 to 6 kilograms with a staple length of 8 to 10 cm and the quality is 50's to 56's.
References:
British Sheep and Wool, British Wool Marketing Board, Oak Mills, Station Rd., Clayton, Bradford. 112 pp.
European Association for Animal Production, Animal Genetic Data Bank
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Photographs:
British Sheep and Wool, British Wool Marketing Board, Oak Mills, Station Rd., Clayton, Bradford. 112 pp.
