Las pequeñas ovejas negras de las Hébridas son autóctonas de Escocia. Tienen rasgos en común con otros miembros del grupo de cola corta del norte de Europa. Las ovejas de las Hébridas tienen varios cuernos. Las ovejas se descornan con poca frecuencia, y tanto los carneros como las ovejas pueden tener dos, cuatro o incluso más cuernos.
Las ovejas de las Hébridas son pequeñas, atractivas y tienen hermosos huesos. Cuando están completamente maduras, las ovejas pesan alrededor de 40 kg, siendo los carneros proporcionalmente más grandes. Las Hébridas se pueden mantener en mayor número por hectárea que las razas más pesadas porque ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇ pastan menos, especialmente en clima húmedo, que las razas más pesadas.
Their hard, black hooves also make foot problems less likely to happen. The face and legs often lack wool, and the sheep have black wool that occasionally turns brown at the tips in the sun and frequently turns grey with age.
Hebridean fleeces are popular among hand spinners due to their subtle shading changes. The fleece is actually two coats in one: a rougher, rain-shedding outer layer and a softer, more insulating undercoat. Rain may be wiped off of a Hebridean’s coat with a simple shake. This water-repellent quality is still there in the finished woolen products.
Since Hebrideans are hardy and can endure harsh grazing, they are widely used as conservation grazing animals to protect the native ɢʀᴀssland or heathland habitats. They are highly effective at managing scrub because of their strong preference for browsing.
Stock fencing is required in addition to hedges as a sheep-proof barrier since sheep like to browse. Hebrideans have a natural vitality that makes them manageable despite being a primitive breed. They are friendly and adept at following a bucket. They could also be controlled by sheepdogs.
Source: https://dailylifeworld.com