1. Q - Where do European Mouflon Sheep
originate from?
A - European Mouflons come from the Island of
Corsica and Sardinia.
2. Q - Are there any other kinds of
Mouflon Sheep besides the European Mouflons?
A - Yes! There are several kinds of sheep that are somewhat
closely related to the European Mouflon. Urial Sheep of the Middle East are a
type of Mouflon form. You also have the Cyprian Mouflon and the Armenian
Mouflon that have supercervical horns. These types of horns sweep back often
behind the neck.
3. Q - What is the basic color of
European Mouflon Rams?
A - In the winter rams will usually be a foxy red color with
black markings on sides and neck ruff. They will usually have a white saddle
over their back. Their summer coat will usually be a lighter color of red and
very little of a saddle if any.
4. Q - What is the normal horn
configuration?
A - Rams horns will grow up and out coming back down turning in
toward the cheek. If you look from behind or the front of them they will have a
kind of heart shape look to them.
Sometimes with big rams the horn will grow toward the
cheek and turn up and begin to curl out. This is all right as long as the tip
of the horn doesn’t go past the base of the main part of the horn. They cannot
flare out like a Corsican or Barbado ram does. If they do, they are
disqualified from being put in most record books.
5. Q - Is there any one physical
characteristic that points toward the purity of European Mouflon Sheep?
A - Yes! Many times they will have the right color and horn
configuration, but the tail will be the tell tale sign if it is a Pure Mouflon.
The tail of a Mouflon shouldn’t be any longer than four inches. Most hybrids
Mouflons will have a tail that is 6 to 8 inches long.
6. Q - Do European Mouflon Sheep do
well in colder parts of the country?
A - Yes! Mouflons do well in extremely cold and do very well in
very hot climates. I personally have sold Mouflons that went to Wisconsin,
Indiana, New York, New Jersey and other colder weather states. These Mouflons
are thriving there.
7. Q - Do Mouflons have twins like
domestic sheep?
A -Normally Mouflons have one lamb, but as they get older they
sometimes will begin to have twins. Normally twins are rare.
8. Q - How long does a ram take to
become a trophy?
A - Your average ram will take approximately 4 years to grow 25
inch horns. Good genetics make a lot of difference. We have two year old rams
with 25 inch horns. Genetics and nutrition are very important factors to
growing trophy size rams.
9. Q - Do rams get much larger than 25
inches in horn length?
A - Yes! I recently saw a ram that was 3 ½ years old and was
already 33 inches. Anything over 30 inches is world class quality.
10. Q - Is there a market for European
Mouflon Sheep?
A - Yes! Pure Mouflons are hard to find. This keeps the price
up and steady.
11. Q - How do you market European
Mouflon Sheep?
A - There are several ways to sell your sheep. Some of these
will bring you more profit than others. Exotic Auctions, Exotic Magazines,
Hunting Outfitters and Selling to Breeders are your most common ways to market
your European Mouflon Sheep.
12. Q - What kind of fencing do you
need?
A - Normally standard sheep and goat fencing is adequate. In
some cases Mouflons will jump these, but usually these will do fine.
13. Q - Do they do well with other
Exotics?
A - You can keep them with anything except other type of
sheep. They will cross with other type of sheep and these crosses are not near
as valuable as Mouflons.
14. Q - What kind of grasses will
Mouflon graze?
A - They are not picky eaters, but they do prefer weeds to
grass often.
15. Q - How much space do Mouflon
require?
A - You can put about 10 Mouflons for what it would take for
one cow.
16. Q - Comparing Mouflons with other
Exotics how would you compare
them in value.
A - If European Mouflons are marketed right they will do
as good as any
hoof stock around.
17. Q - Do you have to trim their
hoofs like you do goats?
A - No! Very rarely will Mouflons have any hoof problems. The
only occasion usually occurs with too much protein being fed in their feed.
18. Q - What are the basal
measurements on a Mouflon horn?
A - Usually Mouflons will range between 8 to 10 inches, but
sometimes they will vary in circumference either smaller or larger.
19. Q - Do European Mouflon Ewes have
horns?
A - Sometimes, but this is not the norm. Occasional Mouflon
Ewes will have horns.
20. Q - What is the gestation cycle of
a European Mouflon Ewe?
A - Gestation generally lasts five months (150 – 180 days).