Coburg fox sheep
The Coburger Fuchsschaf (also Coburger Fuchs) is a breed of domestic sheep ( Ovis gmelini aries ). It is an undemanding and resilient old country sheep breed that used to be widespread, especially in barren low mountain ranges.
A special feature of the Coburg fox sheep is its color. At birth the lambs are golden-yellow to red-brown in color; the color of the wool brightens over time, but generally still has a slightly reddish tinge in adult animals; the original red-brown coloration remains on the head and legs. Many animals also have an eel line . The breeding goal is a medium-sized sheep with a narrow, hornless head and slightly drooping ears. The breed has been recognized by the DLG as a country sheep breed since 1966 .
Because of the small population size, the keeping of Coburg fox sheep in Bavaria , Hesse and Lower Saxony is financially supported. Some zoos have also taken on the preservation of this ancient breed.
Economical meaning
There are only a few thousand animals, so wool production is correspondingly low. Of this, only around 3,000 kg per year are suitable for carpet production. There are few providers who sell carpets made from this wool (including: Grüne Erde, Finkhof ). The producer cooperative “Das Goldene Vlies eG” has the wool of this breed processed into over 50 different products, including insoles, stockings, various outerwear, sweaters and hats.
In 2019, the district of Cochem-Zell is using a herd of 250 Coburg fox sheep to keep areas that are difficult to access as well as bushy and uncultivated areas clean. Around 120 hectares of land between the Eifel and Hunsrück have been selected for the project.
Small herd in the ÖBG Bayreuth
Mutton and sheep in the ÖBG Bayreuth
Coburg fox sheep in Cologne Zoo
Coburg fox sheep on the steep slopes of the Moselle
Coburg fox sheep on a fallow land between vineyards
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Web links
- Breed brief description at the Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Domestic Animals
- Short breed portrait at Vieh-ev.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hessian agri-environmental and landscape maintenance measures. Retrieved April 28, 2019 .
- ↑ Ulrike Platten-Wirtz: Three years on the road - Wanderschäfer has animal employees . In: Rhein-Zeitung, Andernach and Mayen edition. Retrieved May 6, 2019.